STEPHANIE
SHAW
2D Character Animator | Story Artist
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AXIE AND CHAD
"Axie and Chad" is a 2D animated comedy series revolving around two roommates and the challenges they face as young adults figuring out how to live. Axie is a goth axolotl who wants to be respected, and Chad is a punk, carefree rabbit who just wants to have a little fun. Together they must overcome their differences to balance each other out and survive adulthood.
My animation team and I wanted to use our stories to help people laugh off the struggles of everyday life. Our goal is to build a connection across diverse audiences by representing a group of people (or in this case, animals) whose stories are often overlooked.
S1E1 Chad Tries Catnip
After a long day at work, Axie comes home to everything demolished and Chad missing. Chad becomes a public enemy after experiencing the effects of catnip.
The series 4 minute pilot episode was created in Toonboom Harmony with the use of After Effects and photo compositing.
Character Turnarounds and Line Up
Backgrounds
Visual Development
Behind the Scenes
Fun Fact
Axie and Chad are based off Shaw's critters in real life!
Events
Axie and Chad first debuted at the Isabella Bank Institute for Entrepreneurship’s New Venture Challenge. This innovation showcase gave Shaw, Sammy, and Demi an opportunity to share the series with the public and promote it's upcoming events.
Click Here for more information on this event
The series had a gallery exhibit and played at Central Michigan University's Senior Animation Showcase. This was the first time the episode played in front of a live audience.
Axie and Chad was also featured at Hell's Half Mile Music and Film Festival as apart of Bay City's Made-In-Michigan Series.
