Film Documentation

Forged in Fate follows Ophelia and Mu'Zhong, two Fated individuals, through a bittersweet fantasy-comedy story as they grow close as friends and exchange specialty services- a loyal weapon for a lost son.This film stemmed from a larger-scale, on-going project that touches on topics of systemic oppression, power imbalances, intersectional identity, and religious-like indoctrination. As heavy as those themes are, I really wanted my graduation thesis to focus on a pocket of lightheartedness. Forged in Fate was created over the course of two 15 week semesters and with a crew of volunteers.Below is a compilation of the film's visdev materials, the production materials, and supplemental materials put together over the course of the project. The film finished being just around four minutes in total length, my longest project yet and the first time not working solo, so a simple but efficient organizational style was essential to ensuring the success of Forged in Fate.

Production Schedule and Breakdown (Click to enlarge)

Film Poster

Film Stills

Animation Breakdown

Releasing after a round of festivals. Check back in soon!

Director: Valerie Guerrero
Executive Producers: Kristin Solid, Michelle Brost, Katie J. Nelson
Producers: Caleb RichardsonVoice Talents:
Owen DeMaio as Mu'Zhong
VynVox as OpheliaScore by:
Kurtz Martin
Alex MakeMusic
Evan Simpson
Danijel ZamboPost Sound Editor:
Caitlyn SeidelSound Mixers:
Aaron Dawley
Valerie Guerrero
Additional SFX: Youtube Royalty Free Sonds, MCAD Animation Sound Library, Pixabay Community
3D Prop Modeler: Martin Fleisch
3D Environment Modeler & Background Lead: Sahba SetarehBG Artists:
Paola Guerrero Abrego
Adam C.
Valerie Guerrero
Oliver Hesser
Faith Miller
Cindy To
Kala Robinson
Rockheadtitan
Ariana Rojas
Caitlyn Seidel
Yoyo Sen
Add. Asset Design: Kestrel Khan, Freepik.comSpecial Thanks to
Mis Padres, Veronica y Sergio
Mi Gente Latina
My roomies
My fellow senior and MCAD students
The MCAD Animation Faculty
Charis Clark
And my dog, Kosmo <3Made at Minneapolis College of Art and Design ©2026

Animators:
Jay "Jaydrawsart" Cuanang
Valerie Guerrero
Eleanor 'Juno' Jennings Fister
Reese Janacek
Symone "Cinna" Johnson
Kiera Joseph
Hannah Ch. Lee
Kiarra Moore
Linda Polito
Mike G. Reyes
Robin Sherbondy
Arija L Williams
Kenya ZunigaInkers:
Catherine Bride
Reese Janacek
Anabel Jones
Hannah Lee
Kiarra Moore
Alexia Perez
Kaci Prater
Mike G. Reyes
Madeline Vrkljan
Arija L WilliamsColorists:
Symone "Cinna" Johnson
Anabel Jones
Deinonychus Justizia
Hannah Lee
Gabbie Martinson
Kaci Prater
Caitlyn Seidel
Madeline Vrkljan
Celeste WilburnCompositors:
Catherine Bride
Valerie Guerrero
Anabel Jones
Sreya Sengupta
Mikayla Waskul