Episode notes
In this episode of Behind the MAGIC, we go behind the scenes of FOSTER, a student capstone animated short developed at the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College.
Set in a haunting post-apocalyptic world, FOSTER follows a wooden humanoid navigating loss, memory, and survival after war has devastated life on Earth. When a fragile device holding the memory of a fallen companion begins to fail, Foster embarks on a journey toward a mysterious beacon — and an unexpected choice that will define the future.
We sit down with the student creators to explore:
- The creative vision behind the world of FOSTER
- Environmental storytelling and emotional character design
- Production pipeline from concept to final render
- Technical challenges in lighting, atmosphere, and animation
- Thematic development around grief, trust, and sacrifice
- Lessons learned during the capstone experience
- How the project prepares students for the animation industry
This conversation dives into both the artistry and the discipline required to bring a cinematic animated short to life under real production conditions.
Film Premiere: April 29, 2026 Produced by: MAGIC at Miami Dade College Host: Brenna Verner Guests: Juliette Brooks, Melanie Mailleux and Mariana Correa Executive Producer: Mauricio Ferrazza