Full Storyboard (All Four Scenes)
The original storyboard and animatic exploring the complete narrative of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars, including all four planned scenes of the film.
Scene 3 - Storyboard Collaboration
Scene 3 was developed in collaboration with Angela Okafor. Based on my original script and creative direction, Angela helped visualize and storyboard the sequence, bringing her own artistic perspective and storytelling strengths to the project.
2026: Original Independent 2D Animated Short Film
Directed and Produced by Dayanna C. Bradshaw
Music Composer & Sound Designer: Jackson Kodani (@jacksonk_violin)
Software Used: Procreate, Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, Adobe After Effects
My Contributions
Story Development • Worldbuilding • Script Writing • Character Design • Visual Development • Environment Design • Storyboarding • Animation • Background Design• Compositing • Creative Direction • Production Management
Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars began as an exploration of grief, healing, and the quiet beauty of human connection. Originally envisioned as a much larger narrative, the project evolved into a more intimate story centered around friendship, wonder, and finding light after loss. Through atmospheric worldbuilding and emotional storytelling, the film seeks to remind audiences that even in our darkest moments, meaningful connections can guide us forward.
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
Synopsis
In the coastal town of Lunaris, the arrival of the Asterlayna Festival marks a once-in-a-generation celestial event said to open a pathway to the stars. When Yori, a lonely young girl grieving the loss of her parents, discovers a mysterious mute boy who has fallen from the heavens carrying a shattered celestial pendant, she is thrust into an unexpected journey to help him return home before the festival comes to an end. As the two grow closer, Yori begins to rediscover the beauty of the world she had long since withdrawn from. Finding comfort in friendship, wonder in the unfamiliar, and strength in learning that letting go does not mean forgetting. Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars is an original fantasy coming-of-age story about grief, belonging, and the fleeting connections that leave us forever changed.
Narrative Evolution
Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars began as a much larger narrative exploring celestial mythology, family, and belonging. Early iterations of the project featured an expanded story with additional characters, environments, and narrative arcs that extended far beyond the scope of a short film. As development progressed, it became clear that the project's greatest strength lay not in its scale, but in the intimate relationship between its characters and the emotional journey at its core. The story was ultimately reimagined as a more focused and personal experience, centering on Yori's relationship with the celestial boy and the fleeting connection they share. By narrowing the narrative, the project was able to place greater emphasis on atmosphere, visual storytelling, and emotional pacing while preserving the themes that inspired it from the beginning. Throughout production, the story underwent multiple revisions as characters, scenes, and worldbuilding elements were refined to better serve the emotional heart of the film. What began as an ambitious fantasy adventure evolved into a quieter coming-of-age story about grief, healing, and learning to embrace both change and connection. While the scope of the project shifted considerably during development, each iteration played an important role in shaping the final vision of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars. The process of simplifying the narrative ultimately strengthened the project, allowing its most meaningful moments, and its characters to take center stage.
Storyboards & Animatic
The storyboards and animatics below showcase the visual development, pacing, and narrative progression of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars throughout production.
Current Animatic
Built from the latest storyboard revisions, the current animatic brings together the project's visual and audio development into a single editorial sequence. As a working edit, it allows story structure, pacing, and emotional beats to be evaluated and refined before entering animation, making it an essential step in the film's ongoing production.
Meet The Characters
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
Yøârī Wǎshø Kâlæn (Yori)
At the heart of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars is Yøâri Wǎshø Kâlæn, more commonly known as Yori—a quiet, compassionate, and introspective young girl whose journey serves as the emotional core of the story.Following the loss of her parents, Yori has grown increasingly withdrawn from the world around her. Rather than finding comfort in the familiar, she has always found herself gazing toward the stars, longing for a place where she truly belongs. Fascinated by the mysteries of the night sky and the celestial stories passed down throughout Lunaris, she dreams of something greater than the life she has always known.
Above: is the first iteration of Yori's design. Created for rigging in toon boom harmony. (2025)
the left: is a refined idea concept with her outfit more fleshed out.
Yori's character was designed to embody both emotional vulnerability and quiet resilience. Her design emphasizes softness and warmth while reflecting her deep connection to the celestial themes of the story. Every aspect of her character, from her silhouette and expressions to her color palette and costume design, was developed to communicate her gentle nature, curiosity, and emotional growth throughout the film.Unlike traditional fantasy protagonists destined for grand adventures, Yori's journey is deeply personal. Her greatest challenge is learning that belonging is not found in distant stars or unfamiliar places, but in the connections we form with others and the people who choose to walk beside us.
Through her friendship with the celestial boy, Yori begins to rediscover the beauty of the world around her and comes to understand that moving forward does not mean leaving the past behind. Instead, she learns that healing often begins when we allow ourselves to be seen, to be loved, and to embrace the fleeting moments that shape who we become. As both protagonist and emotional anchor of Asterlayna, Yori represents one of the project's central themes: that sometimes the thing we've spent our entire lives searching for has been quietly waiting for us all along.
The Celestial Boy ("Gogo")
During development, I affectionately nicknamed him "Gogo." Within the fictional language of Yiijǎyîian, spoken in the coastal town of Lunaris, "star boy" directly translates to Gô Zhe, which eventually inspired his nickname. The name quickly became a fitting reflection of his playful and endearing personality throughout production. Designed to embody the innocence, wonder, and mystery of the stars themselves, his character draws heavily from celestial imagery and the themes of belonging that lie at the heart of the story. While his ultimate goal is to return home, his true purpose within the narrative is to remind Yori and the audience that there is beauty to be found in the unfamiliar and that even the briefest connections can leave an everlasting impact.In many ways, the Celestial Boy represents the very heart of Asterlayna: wonder, change, and the bittersweet beauty of letting
Mysterious, curious, and endlessly fascinated by the world around him, the Celestial Boy serves as both Yori's companion and the catalyst for her emotional journey throughout Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars. Having fallen from the stars and stranded in an unfamiliar world, he experiences Earth with an innocent sense of wonder that contrasts beautifully with Yori's quiet melancholy.Unable to speak and carrying little understanding of the world around him, the Celestial Boy communicates through his expressions, actions, and growing bond with Yori. Whether marveling at the beauty of nature, experiencing life's simplest pleasures for the very first time, or playfully interacting with the world around him, his childlike curiosity allows both Yori and the audience to rediscover the magic hidden within everyday moments.
Yma (Grandmother)
Yma is the gentle and nurturing presence at the heart of Yori's home life. Following the loss of Yori's parents, she became her primary guardian, raising her with patience, kindness, and unconditional love throughout her childhood.
In Yiijǎyîian, the language spoken within Lunaris, "Yma" directly translates to "grandmother," a fitting name for a character whose role is defined not by grand adventures or celestial mysteries, but by the quiet moments of care that shape the people we become. While Yori often finds herself looking toward the stars in search of something greater, Yma remains grounded in the beauty of everyday life.
Through family traditions, shared stories, and simple acts of love, she provides Yori with a sense of home that she has struggled to recognize for herself. As both a guardian and storyteller, Yma serves as an important connection between Lunaris' traditions and Yori's emotional journey throughout the film. Her warmth and unwavering support help remind us that healing does not always come from extraordinary moments, sometimes it can be found in the people who have quietly loved us all along. Designed to embody comfort, familiarity, and the timeless love shared between grandparents and grandchildren, Yma represents one of the story's most important themes: that home is not simply where we come from, but where we are loved.
Visual Development
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓ ☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
One of my biggest goals for Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars was creating a visual identity that felt inseparable from its story. As the narrative evolved throughout production, so did every creative decision surrounding the project. From character designs and environments to typography, color palettes, and worldbuilding elements. Rather than treating these pieces independently, I approached the film's visual development as an extension of its storytelling, allowing the world, characters, and themes to grow alongside one another.
Character Development: Yori
Yori's design evolved significantly throughout the development of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars. Her earliest iteration was originally created for a 2D rigging project and served as the foundation for exploring her proportions, silhouette, and personality before the story itself had been fully realized.
As the project evolved, so did my understanding of who Yori was as both a character and the emotional center of the film. While her original design leaned more heavily into a whimsical fantasy aesthetic, I ultimately refined her appearance to feel more grounded and cohesive with the world and culture of Lunaris.
Her final design draws inspiration from storybook illustrations, and the everyday clothing of her hometown, utilizing softer silhouettes, practical design choices, and a color palette inspired by her coastal landscape. These refinements allowed her visual design to better support both the tone of the film and her emotional journey throughout the story.
Color Palette and artistic direction
Color played an important role in establishing both the tone of the film and its themes. I wanted Asterlayna to feel nostalgic and comforting while maintaining an underlying sense of wonder and melancholy.
The project's visual language draws heavily from coastal environments, celestial imagery, and the quiet beauty found during the transition between day and night. Shades of blue and teal were chosen to represent Lunaris' connection to the sea and the stars, reinforcing themes of tranquility, belonging, and exploration. Warm oranges and golden hues serve as visual reminders of home, human connection, and the fleeting moments that define Yori's journey throughout the story.
Together, these colors create a balance between the familiar and the fantastical; the emotional space where Asterlayna exists.
Worldbuilding & Inspiration
Although much of the project's larger mythology was condensed during production, visual worldbuilding remained an important part of the development process. Elements such as the coastal town of Lunaris, the Asterlayna Festival, celestial folklore, and the town's lighthouse all contribute to the story's themes of guidance, wonder, and belonging.The lighthouse in particular became an important visual motif throughout development. Serving as both a literal beacon and a symbolic representation of hope and discovery, it reflects Yori's desire to look beyond the horizon while ultimately helping guide her home.
Environmental Design
Lunaris was designed as a small coastal town inspired by European villages, Japanese seaside communities, and the cozy seaside settings often found in Studio Ghibli films. Rather than an expansive fantasy city, I wanted it to feel like an intimate and lived in place where the sea, nature, and everyday life naturally coexist.
From the moonlit oceans and rolling flower fields to towering cliffs and warm coastal villages, the world of Lunaris was created to feel both magical and familiar; a place that exists somewhere between childhood memory and nostalgic fantasy.
Rather than relying on grand or extravagant settings, I wanted the environments to emphasize intimacy, stillness, and the small moments of beauty that often accompany personal growth and emotional healing.
Color and lighting play a significant role throughout the project's environmental design. Cool blues and deep indigos establish the atmosphere of the film, while soft greens, sunlight, and glowing moonlight create a comforting sense of home.
Together, these visual elements establish a cohesive visual language that remains consistent across the film's environments and key locations.
(Scene 3 opening grassy field)
The lighthouse serves as one of Lunaris' defining landmarks and a recurring visual anchor throughout the film. Positioned along the coastline, it reinforces the town's relationship with the sea while naturally drawing the viewer's eye toward the horizon, making it both a memorable setting and an important storytelling element.
Scene 2
First sketch of the inside of the house
The town circle was designed as a central gathering place for both everyday life and the annual Asterlayna Festival. Its open layout establishes it as one of the town's defining landmarks and a recurring location throughout the story.
Title Card Design
The title card was designed to establish the film's visual identity before the story begins. Rather than using a flat background, I built a layered celestial environment using soft gradients, atmospheric haze, glowing bokeh, and subtle lighting effects to create the illusion of depth and space. These elements give the impression that the title exists within the world itself rather than simply being placed over an image.
Rather than selecting an existing typeface, I hand-designed the title lettering to create a distinctive identity for Asterlayna. Inspired by the memorable custom logotypes of classic Disney films and fantasy storybooks, I wanted the typography to feel elegant, recognizable, and timeless. The sweeping flourishes and elongated curves echo the movement of starlight while remaining clean and readable.
Together, the custom lettering, layered composition, and atmospheric effects establish a recognizable visual identity that carries throughout the film and its promotional artwork.
Promotional Poster Illustration
The promotional poster was designed to introduce the world of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars while establishing its visual identity.
Rather than depicting a specific scene, the illustration captures the film's atmosphere through composition, lighting, and color.
Yori's silhouette draws the viewer's eye upward toward the glowing star above, using scale to emphasize the vastness of the night sky. The star itself was intentionally designed to match Star Boy's pendant, introducing one of the film's recurring visual motifs before he appears on screen.
The shooting stars subtly foreshadow his arrival, echoing the way he falls from the sky and first appears to Yori as a shooting star.
A palette of blues and purples is balanced with soft warm highlights, while layered lighting and atmospheric effects create depth throughout the composition.
Together, these elements establish the visual language that carries throughout the film.
Sound & Music Design
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
Music played a vital role in shaping the emotional identity of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars. Rather than treating the score as a finishing touch, I approached it as an extension of the film's storytelling, using music to reinforce pacing, atmosphere, and the emotional relationship between Yori and the Celestial Boy.
To bring this vision to life, I collaborated with violinist and composer Jackson Kodani (@jacksonk_violin). Throughout production, we worked closely together across multiple iterations of the score, refining each version through creative discussions and feedback. I provided creative direction on the emotional pacing, narrative intent, and overall tone of the music, while Jackson translated those ideas into an original composition that continually evolved alongside the film. The progression below documents that collaborative journey from the initial musical inspiration that established the emotional direction of the project to the final score featured in the film. Each iteration reflects not only changes in composition, but a deeper understanding of the story we wanted to tell together.
Musical Inspiration
Before collaborating with Jackson, I created a musical reference that captured the atmosphere I envisioned for Asterlayna. Rather than serving as a blueprint to recreate, it became a creative starting point for discussing tone, pacing, and emotion. The piece emphasized a sense of wonder, innocence, and quiet melancholy. All qualities that would become the foundation of the film's musical identity.
First Composition
Jackson's first composition marked the beginning of our collaborative process and introduced many of the ideas that shaped the final score. While the opening introduced a brighter, more energetic tone, it didn't yet capture the quiet atmosphere I had envisioned for Yori's introduction.As the composition transitioned into its slower second half, however, the music began to capture the direction I was looking for. Jackson introduced a gentle melodic theme for Star Boy that immediately resonated with me, giving him a recognizable musical identity while allowing the scene to slow down and gradually settle into the mysterious atmosphere I wanted to establish. Rather than starting over, our discussions focused on preserving those stronger ideas while refining the opening, transitions, and emotional progression of the piece.
Refining the Journey
The second round of revisions brought the score much closer to the atmosphere I envisioned for the film. Jackson refined the overall pacing while introducing a quieter, more reflective opening that better supported Yori's introduction. During our review, I felt the beginning still carried more intensity than I wanted, and I suggested allowing the scene to ease into the music more naturally. I also noted that the ending could benefit from additional space, giving the audience a brief moment to absorb the scene before transitioning forward.In the following revision, Jackson made those final adjustments by softening the opening and giving the ending more room to breathe. Although the changes were subtle, they had a meaningful impact on the scene's emotional rhythm, allowing the score to unfold more naturally while preserving the musical ideas and atmosphere we had developed together.
Third Iteration
"I want the music to feel like he's discovering Earth for the very first time, full of curiosity, hope, and childlike wonder." — Creative Direction
By the third iteration, the score had found its identity. With the overall structure and emotional direction established, our discussions shifted toward refining individual moments rather than introducing new ideas. Jackson continued to polish the pacing and musical phrasing, making subtle adjustments that strengthened the flow of the scene while preserving the themes we had developed throughout the previous revisions.At this stage, the collaboration became increasingly detail-oriented. Instead of focusing on what needed to change, we focused on how small refinements could better support the animation and create a more seamless emotional progression from beginning to end.
Final Score
The final score represents the culmination of our collaborative process, bringing together the ideas and refinements developed throughout each previous iteration. By this stage, the composition had found the balance we had been working toward from the beginning, allowing the opening to unfold with quiet restraint, giving Star Boy's motif the space to shine, and creating a more natural resolution to the scene. Rather than introducing new musical ideas, the final revisions focused on polish. Subtle adjustments to the pacing, phrasing, and ending strengthened the flow of the composition while preserving the emotional direction we had established together. The completed score not only supports the animation, but also gives the scene its own distinct musical identity, becoming an essential part of Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars. Looking back, this collaboration demonstrated how thoughtful iteration and open communication can transform even the smallest refinements into meaningful improvements in storytelling. Working alongside Jackson reinforced the importance of creative dialogue throughout the filmmaking process, where every revision brought the music closer to the emotional experience we wanted the audience to have.
Final Reflection
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Asterlayna: Pathway of Stars represents a significant milestone in my growth as both an artist and storyteller. Throughout its development, I explored every stage of the filmmaking process from writing and visual development to storyboarding, animation, compositing, and directing a collaborative musical score. Each iteration strengthened the project, reinforcing the value of thoughtful design, creative collaboration, and allowing a story to evolve over time. While the project remains an ongoing personal work, it reflects both the creative journey behind its development and the type of emotionally driven, visually immersive stories I hope to continue creating throughout my career.