Lamanlupa
Director, storyboard artist, concept artist, character animator, effects animator

This was my senior film project, about a lone wanderer, searching for signs of the past, and the spirits that live in the earth.I directed this project during my senior year at SCAD, with a small team of students over the course of a school year.

Moya: Friend of the ForestDirector, 2D puppet rigger, character animator, effects animator

Follow Moya, a magical tapir-bee, as he explores the forests of Malaysia and protects the rare animals that live there.I was commissioned by Etblisse Malaysia to develop a short film showcasing their new mascot.

Mini GamesCharacter animator, visual development artist, asset creator (UV texturing)

A story about a small mouse in a small arcade, who just wants to play a small game.This was a collaborative exercise for one of my classes during my time at SCAD.

Jeepney (Trailer)Character animator

A short film about a frustrated jeepney driver and a talented young girl.I provided rough animation, cleanup, and color for multiple shots.

Box and ball exerciseResponsible for all

This exercise was one of my first journeys into the world of animation, and helped me understand the process and techniques of 2D animation.

Animator

Currently based in Orlando, FL

A lone wanderer, searching for signs of the past, follows the spirits of that which still lives in the earth.Lamanlupa is a short film that takes place in the mountains of northern Luzon, during the colonial period of the Philippines. A traveller from the lowlands explores the ancient forests of the mountains, where the spirits of the land still live.I was inspired by my own experiences of exploring the nature and beautiful scenery of the Philippines, as well as learning about its rich historical and cultural background.Responsible for concept, storyboards, posters, and overall direction.

by Matthew Tobias

Initial design, the Traveller

(1) Initial Concept

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Near the end of the film, the traveller encounters a deity, or Anito, who guides him to a forgotten shrine.The appearance of the Anito is inspired by the traditional wooden idols made by the Ifugao people, called Bul-ul, to protect and bless their harvest.The Anito represents the many customs and traditions lost through colonialism, as well as physical artifacts that were lost or destroyed.

(6) Final Design

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1, 2, 3, 5 by Matthew Tobias
4 by Kiki Lawrence
6 by Elizabeth Porzelt
7, 8 by Monet DeClouette

The main character of the film is a member from a lowland society, and wears post-colonial mid 1800s attire.He has a simple hat and cloak to protect from the weather, and a bag for traveling.Despite his contemporary clothing, he is barefoot, suggesting a simple and hard working lifestyle.

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(4) Final Design

(5) Initial Concept

Other characters:The Tigmamanukan, or Asian fairy bluebird, is the bright blue bird who first leads the traveller into the forest, and oversees his journey. These birds are significant in traditional Filipino beliefs, and can bring good or bad fortune to someone on a journey.Throughout the film, many ant hills can be seen - these are Nuno sa Punso, the "old men" who protect the forest from intruders.

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Concept

(10) Color script

1, 7, 8, 9 and posters by Matthew Tobias
2 by Brianna Pallanes
3, 4, 6 by Belen Saldungaray
5 by Kiki Lawrence
10 by Yeona Choi

Animator

Currently based in Orlando, FL

MOYA

Friend of the Forest

Meet Moya! A magical tapir-bee, protector and friend of all the animals in the forest. Watch him bounce, swim, and fly as he learns about the diverse ecosystem of the Malaysian forest.Etblisse, a Malaysia-based, wildlife conservation-centered online seller introduced their new mascot, Moya, with a short animated film.I, along with four teammates, designed and animated this three minute film, with assets created in Photoshop and Harmony, animation done in Harmony, and compositing in After Effects.Responsible for storyboards, effects animation, character animation and overall direction.

Moya, from Etblisse

Concept

(1) Characters

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

1, 2, 3, 4 by Sammy Liu
5 by Claude Lau

Story

(1) Storyboard

1 by Matthew Tobias
2, 3 by Annie Hsu

FX

(1)

(3)

(5)

(2)

(4)

(6)

1 by Sammy Liu
2, 3 by Claude Lau
4, 5, 6 by Matthew Tobias

Animator

Currently based in Orlando, FL

STORIES

GOLDENFIST is a story that I developed as an exercise in worldbuilding.
For this project, I combined many of my influences and inspirations into one.
This project is still ongoing.

Kenny is an average guy with a big secret: he is GOLDEN FIST, the monster-fighting superhero who protects The City from evil giant crustaceans.Without him, The City would be destroyed.At least, this is what he believes...

GOLDENFIST takes place in The City, a flourishing metropolis and the center of Kenny's world.The City is an idyllic center of wealth and leisure, with fun and interesting characters around every corner.Life in The City is almost perfect, save for the evil Kani Monsters that constantly terrorize its people.

Luckily, the superhero Golden Fist is always here to keep the crustacean conquerors from unleashing decapod destruction upon The Citizens.Thanks to Kenny, the Kani Monsters are always stopped before they unleash too much destruction on The City.

Until one day...

The TRUE world of GOLDENFIST takes place in an ancient interstellar society, rife with complex sociopolitical conflict, as well as malevolent entities that wield immense power.Unbeknownst to Kenny, he is just a toy, in a game much bigger than anything he can imagine.

Elsewhere on the planet, beyond the Federation-designated habitable zone, there is a humanocentric, Old-Earth themed, all expense paid, city-sized resort.Last City Resorts boasts a state-of-the-art climate controlling dome, authentic Old Earth-style facilities and accommodations, and galaxy-class live entertainment.

Their most famous attraction? The Crustacean Fighter GOLDENFIST.

Gharial IV, locally known as the planet Asmodeus is a desert world on the eastern fringe of the galaxy.It has recently been rediscovered by Federation settlers, and is home to a group of independent territories, centered around a space port.Upon its discovery, Federation biologists reported no native sentient species, approving it for unregulated settlement and resource harvesting.

The main group of settlers, a young and diverse Republic of Asmodai, controls the primary spaceport in the northern region of the planet's only continent. They constantly face threats from the planet's hostile fauna, as well as bandits and mysterious legions of corporate robots.These automated armies roam the continent's mountainous southwestern region, an uncharted and hostile place where no settler has returned alive.The Asmodeans believe that these robotic legions are protecting something.

Deep underground, there is an undiscovered civilization of sentient crustaceans, living in secret caves leading to a massive subterranean sea beneath the continent's southwestern region.Undiscovered, only by the settlers and Federation officials.

CALLSIGN: SILVERFISH
WEAPON TYPE: BIOMECHANICAL
FUNCTION: INFILTRATE ENEMY FACILITIES, REMOVE LIFE
ARMAMENT: BLADES, HANDS
THREAT LEVEL: VERY HIGH

CURRENT STATUS: REQUISITIONED TO Last City Resorts Ltd. (Gharial IV branch)

To be continued...

Animator

Currently based in Orlando, FL

City Hunters follows a girl and her father, who survive

Animator

Currently based in Orlando, FL

ILLUSTRATION

Animator

Currently based in Orlando, FL

ABOUT ME

My name is Matthew, but I also go by Toby or Tobi.

I was born in suburban Florida, and I also lived in the Philippines for a while. Sometimes I tell people I'm from there instead because I think it sounds cooler.Besides being an animator, I'm also an award-winning illustrator and watercolorist. Having lived in the Philippines and Hong Kong, as well as Bermuda, I draw from a diverse range of influences and experiences that have shaped me into who I am.I love gundam, weird movies, fancy coffee, and walking around. I also love music; I'm proficient in playing the recorder and otamatone. If you know any good bands, let me know!