shippiddge

Update - 02/01/26

Hey all! It seems I didn't fill up the Ep.11 notebook used to draft ideas even halfway, so it's now become the notebook for both episodes. Here's a detailed update on what I'm doing right now.

• Episode 12 is currently being drafted out and is in the early stages of the writing process. I've gotten the writers I want ready to work on it, and itching to go. I have a lot of ideas, but I'm holding myself back from rushi...

  2026-02-02 01:07:42 +0000 UTC View Post

Starter Squad 11 - Ditto Face Draft

Getting the Ditto face right was a long and expensive process between me and PrimatePunk. Before creating the drawings that became the final images seen in the episode, we did a version where he animated the face on top of the rough draft. Most of the stuff here translated directly into the final, but I feel like this version has a certain uniqueness to it. In this draft, you can also see some of Camtoonist's original, more exagge...

Episode 11 - Full HD Download

Here's a download link for those that want to watch the episode without YouTube compression.

Fun fact: Episode 10 was actually made in 720p but upscaled for the upload. Episode 11 is the first one created entirely in 1080p.

Starter Squad - Episode 11

Starter Squad 11 Teaser

Hi. It's finished.

This teaser will go public on Christmas morning and the episode will launch on the 31st. I wanted to give you access earlier, but I didn't want to jynx it until I had the full episode intact. And I literally just finished it just now as I'm typing this.

I still have to make the thumbnail and write the credits. And I guess I'll also be re-watching it over the next week to double check for mistakes...

Episode 11 Update - 12/11/25

I finished Scene F and am now finishing Scene D. The entire episode is now almost entirely rendered out and I've completed the detail adjustments and fixes on C and D. Here's where we're at:

A - Complete

B - Complete

C - Complete

D - One FX element

F - Complete

X - One FX fix

I need to finish the remaining VFX shots of Scene D and make that one fix on Scene X. At my current rate...

Episode 11 Update - 11/10/25

Okay. Scene F has now come leaps and bounds. The episode now looks roughly like it did when I imagined the idea years ago, so I'm happy about that. But I desperately need to wrap up these pesky loose ends.

Here's where we're at:

A - Complete

B - Complete

C - Minor fixes

D - One FX element, some detail adjustments

F - Detail fixes, texture fix, two FX elements

X - One lingering F...

Episode 11 Update - 10/03/25

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Alright. Almost finished.

- Hiring out for lighting was a good idea. I have learned so much about light this time around am now find myself way more comfortable with Blender nodes in general. All the lighting is now finished except for Scene F. The episode now looks, in my opinion, simultan...

Episode 11 Update - 09/02/25

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Hi everyone. I'm closing in, so make sure your name and sprite is as you'd like it.

CGHero is working out. Three lighting specialists are currently working on different scenes. I plan to play to each lighting artist'...

Episode 11 Update - 08/17/25

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[edit: Having issues uploading .gif lately. Try this link]

I have been very busy and am pushing to finish this.

The Cameras are done for every scene. I completed the Camera Pass and adjusted all the animation along the way. Th...

Episode 11 Update - 07/11/25

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This past month has been intense and productive. I have been glued to my desk for practically all of June, working during all waking hours, usually stopping only to eat or sleep, and getting a render off nearly every night. After a good amount of struggle, I'm finally in my zone and getting thi...

Episode 11 Update - 06/08/25

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I got a little held up in May. I had to take off time to help some family and also attend a friend's wedding but I'm now back and at full force.

In my trying to lock down the Sound Cut, I realized that I had to make sure /everything/ was lined up. Every footstep, all the physics, e...

Episode 11 Update - 05/02/25

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As of a few hours ago, the Scene D animation is now complete. I checked my other scene files, and I couldn't find any major mistakes or errors. This means all character animation for Episode 11 is complete. This officially concludes the "production" stage and marks the beginning of t...

Episode 11 Update - 04/05/25

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March was a really, really bad month for me, and far too much went wrong.

I really thought we were around the corner with animation, but when I tried locking down the details, getting it looking "complete" proved to be far, far harder for me than I thought it'd be. In addition, I found so ...

Episode 11 Update - 03/01/25

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Exciting news, friends. We are now rounding the corner. Here is where I'm at with Scene D.

The character animation is basically done. I wanted to come to you guys with it being done done, but I...

Episode 11 Update - 02/01/25

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Hello all and happy new year. Here’s how the episode is now progressing:

• For a good chunk of this month, I’ve been working with a hired artist on one very specific aspect of Scene D. I previously thought I'd have to wait until the scene’s character animation was entirely comple...
  2025-02-02 01:51:38 +0000 UTC View Post

Episode 11 Update - 12/02/24

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Unfortunately, I've not finished scene D. I've gotten further, but based on where I am now, I do not think I'll be able to have this out before the end of the year. An early 2025 release seems likely.

The main special effects of Scene F are now complete and have been passed back to me. All...

Episode 11 Update - 11/01/24

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I am now going to try my best to update you every month, regardless of how far I actually get, for the sake of consistency and transparency. I have been making sweeping life changes and I intend for this to be one of them.

I have received a lot of inquiries about getting your name in the cr...

Episode 11 Update - 10/02/24

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I have been busy. I'm trying to squeeze this out. Here's a rundown of the current progress:

Scene A - All the special effects complete I've been working with someone that's been doing fantastic work and they're continuing to do special effects for a small section of scene F. This we...

Squad Song

I'm releasing this early for Patrons! Feel free to comment on it if you'd like. I'll release it to everyone else in like a week or so... or whenever I get around to making a thumbnail for it.

Episode 11 Update - 07/01/24

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I have now finished the character animation for Scene F. The most important scene is now covered and it's a relief. The animator working on polishing the climax has told me that they won't be able to start until early into July, so I should hear from him on that soon.

I'm now attemp...

Episode 11 Update - 06/04/24

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Hello. I'm still deep in character animation but wanted to keep you updated with what’s going on. To be honest, I’m a little frustrated. Scene F has been far more vicious to me than I understood it to be.

Scene F contains the climax as well as the most special effects required in...

Episode 11 Update - 04/04/24

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Hi all - right now it's all coming down to character animation.

The musical score of Scene X is now complete. My guy is doing fantastic work. It's the same guy that scored the opening of Episode 10, as well as a few key scenes. This time around, I'm really going hard on the score and...

Starter Squad 10 - Whiskers Reference

Sometimes, for the more emotional beats, I film reference. See how this compares to what was animated in Ep 10.

Episode 11 Update - 02/09/24

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Right now we’re still very deep in character animation.  I didn't do as well in January as I'd hoped, but I've now completed Scene C and Scene X.  Here's the current state of all scenes:

-Scene A is complete, save for special effects.

-Scene B is almost complete.  ...

Episode 11 Animation Livestreams - 2023

In 2023, I live streamed a good chunk of the animation process of Ep11 on shipp.tv

I specifically picked out the least spoilery scenes to animate.  You can view the full live stream sessions here:

June 18th, 2023 (First Live Animation Stream)

July...

2024-01-01 03:47:56 +0000 UTC View Post

Behind the Scenes - Charmander's Lament

Above you can view a rough version of the song/animation as it was being plotted out.

You can also take a look at these video notes I made during the songwriting process:

Initial Lyrics Collaboration  

Lyrics and Format Tweaking 

<...

Episode 11 Update - 12/31/23

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I’m a little more behind than I’d like to be at this point, but we’re moving along and should be capping off character animation soon.   Here’s a rundown of where we are with the scenes:

Scenes A and B are mostly done. No changes for a while now. I have small amounts to fill...

Charmander's Lament - Starter Squad Halloween 2023

Happy Halloween all!

Episode 11 Update - 10/26/23

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Lots of progress.  I think we're on track to finish by early 2024.  ...I think.

I haven't really touched Scenes A and B, but A is practically done, and B needs a few more days of attention.  They're in the best shape of all, and I', happy with everything done on them.

Sce...