Pi in the Sky
A surreal AI-animated comedy set in an origami robot universe
π in the Sky is a whimsical short animation created for the Curious Refuge First Animation Competition. Set on a handcrafted paper stage, the film follows a troupe of origami robots as they rehearse a play—until a tiny glitch turns one actor into a looping pi-reciting machine. Blending stop-motion charm with AI precision, the story explores logic, error, and friendship in a futuristic foldable world.
The animation features a distinct visual style: Iridescent Origami Robot Theater — where every robot appears folded from prismatic, holographic paper and lit with soft pastel spotlights. The short reflects my ongoing exploration of surreal AI narratives with handcrafted visual identities.
Creative Process
- Concept & Prompt Writing: Story and dialogue were developed in ChatGPT, including character quirks, scene setups, and glitch-triggering monologues.
- Animation: All scenes animated using Google DeepMind Veo 2, leveraging prompt structure for origami precision, holographic textures, and theatrical camera work.
- Upscaling: Final video was refined and upscaled using Topaz AI to enhance clarity without losing the handcrafted paper look.
- Voice & Sound: ElevenLabs was used to create the characters’ robotic-yet-emotive voices and glitchy effects. Background ambiance and subtle stage creaks were added using Pixabay.
- Editing: The short was cut and timed in CapCut, with focus on comedic rhythm, glitch loops, and camera cuts matching theatrical cues.
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