Puppeteer / EPIC: The Musical _Animatic 

"We are weak to a Power like this!" *shows the shape of her Body* 😂

"A woman" "...What." In all honesty, it really seems like Odysseus is just too gay or too devoted to Penelope to truly understand the temptation that his soldiers experienced when faced with Circe, and I find it pretty funny

"come on, we've literally just survived a Cyclops and Poseidon what kind of creature can be so dangerous to our-" "A woman. And she was very pretty and nice and welcoming" "We're finished."

The way a string wraps around him as he runs, like even his escape is part of the plan, like everything is within her control.

When Odysseus puts his hair in a ponytail, you know the shit's about to go down!

Dude the imagery with the men being tied up while transforming looked so good!

4:04 HERMES SPOTTED ❤

In a modern adaptation of Cerci’s story, she was a very kind and powerful goddess. However, on her island, some sailors came by for food and rest, she was very hospitable towards them, but of course, they had different plans when they saw Cercis's beauty, home, and riches. They planned to SA her, kill her, and steal from her. (In Classic Greek Mythology) Of course, she's immortal so she didn't die from the brutal beating and SA. That's when she turned them into pigs. From then on whenever a man or a crew of men showed up, she would test them to see if they were decent or act like vile pigs. When they would fail her test that's when she would turn them into pigs. So, in this song, she may seem like a seductress and an evil witch, but after years of loss, abuse, and mistrust from others who can blame her for going on the offense when looking at the face of an individual who has harmed her over and over again. I encourage all to read more about Cerci, it's one of my favorite stories of a Greek God, it also talks about her first love; "I've been in love once before" c: (Edit: changed a few words to make what I said not factual to Mythology; what I said here is not canon to Greek Mythology)

Lmao Eurylochus face at 1:45 is just gold, like "see what i mean?" Or "yeah you heard me right"

Easily the best “Puppeteer” animatic I’ve seen. I feel honored to have watched it so quickly after it was released. •The transition between Eurylochus leaving with the men vs him coming back through the bushes, panicked, and rushing to tell Odysseus what happened is my favorite interpretation of that scene I’ve seen so far. •The transformation of the men being turned to pigs was so visceral. You captured how terrifying an ordeal it would be perfectly. The shadows was a really cool and creative effect. I was scared for them and could imagine myself in their shoes •Your Circe design is both beautiful and haunting. Every other scene, she’s walking this balance between gracious host and conniving sorceress. You played both sides of her immaculately. I can’t wait to see what you release next!

Okay but I love the joke of "She said come inside" "Oh wow, yeah that's forward". Its just perverted enough to be a "what" While also just being perfectly delivered

I am, like, completely obsessed with this circe design, like... mommy? Sorry, mommy?

1:38 HAHSHSJSJSJSJ NOT THE HAND GESTURES!! LMAO IM DEAD!! 😭✋🏾

I am 24 years old. I have known about Circe's story since I was in highschool. I know full well the danger this woman represents' That being said, if I was faced with your version of Circe. All of that knowledge is getting thrown out the window and I'm gonna risk it. Even if I die or get turned into a pig, it was worth it.

Little bits I love: Eurylochus drawing the shape of a woman's body at 1:38 Odysseus' "What?" at 1:41 The puppetmaster strings around Circe's fingers The continuity of Odysseus tying his hair back before he runs into Hermes

Eurylochus' eyes glowing showing he'd been enchanted to lure the rest to Circe!

When I tell you I click the fastest that I could..I clicked the fastest that I could Edit: This comment was before I watched the video BUT OH MY GOD THIS WAS AMAZING all the details were on point and I didn't even start talking about Circe's design. This video was perfect!!

Love the way you drew Circe and love the way that eurylichous was in first person when he came back to odyssyus also love the strings representing her as a puppeteer and them as a puppets

Oooooo! Eurylochus getting spelled by Circe as he runs away is so clever! I've seen many versions of Puppeteer and him spelled as he runs to warn Odysseus is a first for me.

Favorite Bits!: 1- 0:54 - 1:09 - The 1st person POV when Eurylochus returned is quite cool. 2- 1:15 - 1:18 3- 1:38 - 1:40 4- 1:40 - 1:42 - I really like your Circe design, especially her makeup and how short she is compared to the men. It makes you think she’s weaker than them when the reality is quite the opposite. 5- 1:47 - 2:00 - I really like the strings representing Circi’s magic and her control over others. 6- 2:04 - 2:05 - Every shot with Circe is super cool. 7- 2:07 - 2:12 8- 2:13 - 2:17 - Circe not drinking from her cup is a great detail. 9- 2:17 - 2:18 10- 2:19 - 2:44 - This entire section is so dynamic and really capture the horror of the situation. Special shout outs to 2:27 2:29 - 2:31 and 2:37 - 2:40. 11- 2:49 - 2:53 12- 2:58 - 3:05 - Great choice to show the wreckage of the other ships. 13- 3:05 - 3:08 - I like how Eurylochus gestures to the men back at the ship when he says that 14- 3:15 - 3:22 - I love the gentleness of them holding hands, it’s sweet. 3:18 - 3:21 - Great detail to show Odysseus’s hand shaking. 3:28 - I like how he’s putting his hair up, he’s getting ready for a fight! 3:30 - 3:31 - The color change to add to the drama is cool. 3:33 - 3:37 and 3:35 - 3:36 - I like how you show the ad aftermath of the nymphs putting the pig/men away. Also the one getting its head stuck in the fence and the nymph looking towards him is super cute. 3:40 - 3:43 - Cool shots 3:42 - The strings always wrapped around her fingers are a cool character design detail. 3:48 - 3:53 4:07 - Perfect ending shot. 4:09 - 4:21 - Darkly hilarious.

I think this is my favorite randition of what Cerci could look like. I love the thick eyeliner and lipstick. She looks so menacing I love her

YESSSS. I like it, clicked as fast as I could. My favorite part was the tranformation from men to Pigs that the crew experienced, It was long, drawn out and cool. OH and hermes at the end!

Giggling and kicking my feet I love the colors

ODY'S LITTLE PONYTAIL I AM OBSESSED this is actually amazing I love how you used the colors in this animatic and for Wouldn't You Like, plus the facial expressions are immaculate as always

I LOVE THE CONTINUED USE OF THE STRINGS. The fact that it’s just a core part of what you have her do and how she traps and plays with people is so cool! Plus, the other nymphs happily being in on the whole thing and helping to lure the men in is so smart (even with their trauma, they’re doing it cause they trust Circe’s judgement, which is such a cool parallel for Odysseus and his men’s eventual mutiny). There’s a lot to love here!

Ximena this is one of the best Epic Animatics I've seen yet and it's all down to your amazing art and the subtle yet deep meanings you portray, so allow me to list my favourite parts: - The colour change when Eurylochus returns is so prevalent when paired with the music change and I love how you've done this scene in Eurylochus' Pov as it ties in well with the music and allows us to feel what he may be feeling. - The best part of this animatic is how you showcase her allure and power, the string like magic she casts to lure these men in is just so elegant yet scary. The scene where she turns these men into pigs is just so incredibly haunting as she is both precise in her powers yet violent in the way she pulls them and turns them into the animals. I love especially how you end off with her leaving just a tinge of fear/magic around Eurylochus which indicates his fear of her along with how he 'can hear her still'. - I love the different interpretations of Eurylochus' final attempt at stopping Odysseus, when I listen to it I imagine Eurylochus finally breaking through to Odysseus and how Odysseus struggles to find an argument in retaliation such as the 'I don't know' line. Your interpretation holds such emotional depth though to Eurylochus as it shows his true fear and compassion for the crew as he is desperately trying to find a way through to Odysseus and shows Odysseus as headstrong as ever walking right into the lions den 🦁 - My final thing I loved is how you perfectly showed Circe in this final back to back with Eurylochus. Rather than the obvious route of showcasing her violent nature and how strong she may be, you went down a route of showing her watching what she longs to protect and care for. These simple scenes of her watching over the nymphs smiles and her petting the lion makes the audience genuinely care for her and show that this villain has way more to her than just the power she holds. Sorry for the rant but I haven't been able to get this animatic out of my head since my first watch!

BRO THIS WHOLE THING WAS EXACTLY HOW I IMAGINED IR WHEN LISTENING AAAAAAAA Also the smiling Hermes’?!! Circe totally looking like I’d fall for her trap within 3 seconds 🤭 Oddesyus reactions ALL TOGETHER!!? LOVE IT

Ughhh the way you drew her with the puppet strings tugging the men… chefs kiss 🥹✨🩷

oh MY, the way she toyed with the men... the visceral way they got transformed.... everyones' EXPRESSIONS....

He got us by two words "come inside" 😂 God my mind

BROOOOO That transformation was SICK really emphasized the horror

You do have a good point, I don't know why there aren't a lot of animatics of 'Puppeteer' other than the one Gigi is about to release at 31, it's the same for Storm and Luck Runs Out, there aren't a lot of full animatics. So I definitely enjoyed the animation and new variation of Circe's design!

Wow i loved this! i love how you portrayed Circe's powers and really leant into the way she enthralled and literally puppeteer'd the crew with the strings around her fingers! (Also Eurylochus' hour glass shape with his hands on the line "a power like this" had me cackling)

Phenomenal work as ever… Circe actually gave me chills with lines I’ve never considered to be malicious before.

The puppet strings wrapping around everyone omg

I love how motherly she looks at her nymphs, like she's reassuring herself.

Finally some good fucking food. -Gustavo Fring

I think you're the first animator I've seen who played up the actual puppet imagery in the animation, which I really appreciate because I feel like that's so central to the song (for heaven's sake, it's the name). Good job with those little strings around her fingers--it was really cool to see them unfold into marionette strings!

One random fact, I figured out: the reason why in the snippet of the underworld saga when they said “558 men who died under your command” one of men in Circe’s castle, (I think) was so drunk that he fell through the floor and died, what a way to go out

GOD THIS IS ONE OF MY TOP FAVOURITE EPIC ANIMATICS! THE EXPRESSIONS, THE SCENES, THE MOVEMENTS, THE EMOTION- IT'S JUST ALL SO GOOD IM SCREAMINGGGG

"We came across a palace," I love when someone's voice and the instruments harmonize so well that the person singing sounds like an instrument. He sounds like a bass right there, and it's absolutely beautiful 😍

The imagery is great! I love how the strings started wrapping around them right feom the start . And the "a woman" clip was 🔥🔥🔥

The competition the camera angles all it it AGH! As someone who’s watched you since before you did digital your growth has always been inspiring!

Ximena cooking as usual! Love the quick shot of Hermes near the end.

I love the character design, and Eurylochus’ expressions were priceless!

"Let me get you wolves with something to eat" With wolves you are Prey, Pack or the Hunter.

Remember brothers! All hot women are secretly goddesses who will turn you into beasts to protect their loved ones. Anyway, can anyone give me directions to this lady's palace?

I don't think I've ever clicked as fast as this and I love this so fricken much your art style is so beautiful

“Come inside ❤ 🎵 “ “Damn” 😂

I mentally screamed and clicked immediately Edit: 4:04 HERMÈS!!!

the 'come inside' and the puppeteered pig at the end be the cherries on top

They look so cute blushing 😭 man wtf w work

*slaps the play button as soon as it popped up* 0:21 uh oh shadows over the face never good 0:50 love them going in together 0:58 color change!😮 1:39 love him doing the hour glass figure 😂 1:41 his face 😂 2:16 she is so pretty 😍 2:33 love the use of puppet strings ( I always imagine the scene from Pinocchio, you know the one...) 4:04 I see you Hermes 🎉 4:19 her playing with the 🐖

YES YES FEED MY ADDICTIONS YESSSSSSSSS

Oh my gosh, this is the BEST puppeteer animatic I’ve seen! I feel like you really portrayed that brotherly-ness between Ody and Eurylochus really well. And Circe’s “hospitality” is just AHHH so good!!!! There are so many spectacular parts of this animatic. Great job 🤩

everytime I think my ETM hyperfixation is burnt out someone posts a beautiful animatic and I restart my 2-week hyperfixation again😭😭

I need to make a few notes- First off, I LOVE the way you portrayed Circe!! This is actually an interpretation I haven't seen yet. Seems like a villainess lol. Second, I love that you really represent the title of the song by having her have strings and starting to entangle the men under her control from the very beginning. Also the imagery of the transformation was really cool and a little disturbing!! And another point I have to say is I like the way you visualize Circe's home(?) as a temple. I don't think I've seen that either yet, but its actually quite fitting! Overall, you did an outstanding job!! You earn a new subscriber.

I love your Circe design, she's so pretty

THE STRINGS AT 1:17 AAAA AMAZING DETAIL!! EDIT: THE USE OF STRINGS EVERYWHERE IS JUST 👌 EDIT 2: NOT THE END CREDITS PIG! HELP HIM LOL

Most terrifying Puppeteer animatic I’ve seen yet, great job

HOLY CRAP A FULL GOOD EPIC ANIMATIC TY

God I'm waiting for your "Done for" animatic

Your Circe design is immaculate

I just want the entire musical from you omg

Love that shot of Hermes near the end!

O M G, THIS IS SO GOOOOOD!! I LOVE THE EXPRESSIONS!! ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! 🫶🫶🫶

This is so good! The colors pop, and the facial expressions are so nuanced. I adore the transformation scene. The way it's shown through their shadows is very unique and effective!

BROO THERE'S NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW PERFECT THIS IS IT'S EXACTLY HOW I IMAGINED IT WOULD LOOK BUT EVEN BETTER OMG SJEIWJDKENSOE

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL WHAT

Oooo I haven't seen someone do actual puppet strings like that! Wonderful touch!!

Gods help me I am week for this animated woman

I love the leg cross that Circe does because it reminds me of Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct where she crosses her legs (it's a really infamous scene) lol I'm not sure if that's what you were going for but it's the FIRST thing that popped into my head and I love it!

I may or may not have woken up my parents yelling “OH SHIT” when seeing this

DUDE I WAS JUST WATCHING YOUR OTHER ANIMATICS ON THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME-

With that design I don't blame any of the scouts for walking right into that palace

this is so cool ! I love when she creates strings like a real puppeteer !

I know you said you aren't doing Done For. But I really hope that changes. This was amazing!! ^^

M- M- M- MMMMMMMMMMM- M- My taxes are due today

I love this so much! Your use of color and the strings! Oooooh amazing!!

Ok, the animatic is beautiful and sooooo well designed, but can we take a minute to appreciate the end credit's Circe making one of the pigs dance????? Like, it's too cute and mischievous!

This is definitely my favorite circc design. I love her powerful but sexy look. The ones that lean mroe towards innocet are definitely good but this lines up with my mental image so well

Lmao Circe just tormenting the poor pig at the end 💀 he looks so sad, I feel a lil bad for him

I keep coming back and rewatching this 5 times! I can’t get over the imagery and composition of this! It’s so good 😭

I still want to know what eurylicus was going to get off his chest

Love the movement and the expressions in your version, everything flows like a dance with the Puppeteer. And that last frame ... ♥

This is phenomenal. I'm absolutely in love with how you did every part of this one

Whoaaa, I’m speechless! This is so masterfully done, I love love love what you’ve done with the strings to show Circe puppeteering everything, even Eurylochus despite him not being affected at the beginning. Amazing work!!! ❤❤❤

Yay!! There are so few puppeteer animatics out, I needed this! Have you considered doing Luck Runs Out too? That song could also use some love from a talent like you ❤ (PS, I love how Euryloculs does the curvy body gesture when he's explaining to Odysseus)

I think this is the best animatic I've seen for this song! Everything was just-- perfect!

When he said "Damn..." like...same. Im not even a man, but even I was like I get why it was so easy to lure them cuz me too!

I LOVE the attention you give facial expressions!! and the eyeshadow on Circe is SO lovely looking !

I love the strings you added because a lot of other animatics don’t lean into the puppeteer imagery.

This is amazing! Keep up the great work because this really brought the song to life!

Ooh the strings are such an amazing detail! Also I love your style

THE EXPRESSIONS ARE SO GOOD, I love this so much.

Circe playing with the crying pig at the end loll

Wowow this turned out great - really love the art style and vibrant colours!

I love the faces they make throughout the video the beginning ones though had me laughing. You did an amazing job with the video by the way

Love the outro with Circe making the poor pig dance XD A puppeteer indeed

STOP. THIS IS SO GOOD BRO. LIKE WHAT- (I want to eat your art :3)