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An animatic short film about The Parable of The Sower.
Adapted from the New Testament.
Scripture references: Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15.
Adapted from the New Testament, "The Parable of the Sower" visually expresses the themes and motifs from Jesus's titular parable. Jesus uses the analogy of a farmer planting seeds to express how the The Word can be received based on the condition of the "hearers" hearts. Paired visually with modern & contemporary behaviors, this adaption of "The Parable of the Sower" seeks to examine the heart of it's modern audience.
Completed for my 2024 Senior Thesis.
Official Selection & First Runner Up Of the 2025 HBCU Invitational
The Process
Below you'll find the process to making the short film, from thumbnails to the final .
The Parable of the Sower Thumbnail Page 1
Page 1 of the script I wrote adapted from the New Testament. This page highlights the introduction to the parable, Jesus walking into the ship, the multitude following him. I did my best to communicate quickly how I saw it in my head, but also from the POV of someone who could've been there and witnessed Jesus giving this analogy.
The Parable of the Sower Thumbnail Page 2
Page 2 of the script I wrote adapted from the New Testament. This part of script I wanted to show visually the analogy Jesus was giving, the fields and the thorns.
The Parable of the Sower Thumbnail Page 3
Page 3 of the script I wrote adapted from the New Testament. For the last part of the analogy I wanted to communicate how it could be applied to the modern world and modern elements
Opening Shot
This is the Opening shot of the short film. The beach where Jesus gave the parable is the setting of the story, so I thought it would be fitting to have it as an establishing shot.
The Thorns
This is my favorite background of the whole film. It was particularly challenging because I wanted to covey a worms eye view of the thorns and I wanted to get the sunbeams just right.
The Trees
This was one of my favorite shots in the film because this is when I decided that color would be a tool for symbolism. I wanted the seed that bared fruit to contrast against everything else.
The Boat
This is the an alternate boat that Jesus climbs onto, my teacher actually helped me with this one and modeled a boat that I drew over top of.
The Church
This is the setting for the second seed in the interpretation Jesus gives to his Disciples (analogy for the rocky place). I used the church from the "Colored Purple" as a reference. I decided to put "Jehovah Jireh" at the top as the slogan for the church to add more layers to the characterization of the second seed.
Jehovah Jireh" means "God Provides" in Hebrew. Which directly contrasts the second seed
Jehovah Jireh" means "God Provides" in Hebrew. Which directly contrasts the second seed
Transition
This background is actually a combination of two. When I started to put everything together in the animation process I realized there was not a smooth way to transition from the church scene to the home scene for the second seed so a merged them and animated on top of that
It's that Doggone Phone!
For the third seed in the latter part of the Parable I wanted to showcase an experience that we can all relate too; spending too much time on our phones
Colors
The final establishing shot, fruitful seed vs unfruitful seed. I wanted to show the opposing sides and to show how different kinds of people and views can exist even in the same space. But I wanted to show the "light" that people of faith can bring to their communities if their willing to share it.
The Multitude
This is one of the opening shots of the film. The multitude follows Jesus as he enters into the boat
Jesus Enters in the Boat
I wanted to have a shot as if some was behind Jesus as he enters into the boat and the crowd following him
Gathered together
I wanted to have a shot as if some was behind Jesus as he enters into the boat and the crowd following him
Crowd's POV
I wanted to have a shot as if some was behind Jesus as he enters into the boat and the crowd following him
Behold!
A shot of Jesus telling the parable
The Sower
A bird's eye shot of the Sower sowing the seeds in his fields. I chose not to show the face of the Sower because I felt it was more important to show his actions.
The Fowls Gather the First Seed
A wider shot of the field and the birds that gather the seeds.
The Second Seeds
The seeds that fall into the rocky ground
Scorched
In this part of the sequence I wanted to show that at first the seeds were growing, but because of rocky soil and harsh sun they could bare fruit
Withered
The second seed withered awat
Third Seed
Here I wanted to show the last seeds falling into the thorns like the texts says
Falling
The seeds falling into thorns - worms eye view
Thorns Choking I
This sequences was alot of fun but also challenging. I wanted show the thorns attacking the seed, but it was difficult to draw a sharp object from this POV.
Thorns Choking II
This sequences was alot of fun but also challenging. I wanted show the thorns attacking the seed, but it was difficult to draw a sharp object from this POV
Thorns Choking III
This sequences was alot of fun but also challenging. I wanted show the thorns attacking the seed, but it was difficult to draw a sharp object from this POV
True Growth I
The last Seed growing
True Growth II
The last Seed growing
Fruit
"And they brought forth fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold"
Return to the Beach
"Whoever has ears to hear! Let them hear."
Questions
The disciples look at each other in confusion, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
This is one of the reasons why I love this parable so much. I think a lot of people since the events of the New Testament occurred have wondered why Jesus chose this method as His primary form of verbal teaching. And in this parable he says why. It's nice to know that even his disciples wondered the same thing.
This is one of the reasons why I love this parable so much. I think a lot of people since the events of the New Testament occurred have wondered why Jesus chose this method as His primary form of verbal teaching. And in this parable he says why. It's nice to know that even his disciples wondered the same thing.
Answers
Jesus sits down and leans in, "Because unto you is given the mysteries of the Kingdom of God: but to them in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not hear"
Interpretation
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God......"
The First Seed
"Those that fell by the wayside are they that hear and understand not, then cometh the devil,
Missionaries
Missionaries offer a pamphlet to The First Seed, but he says no and closes the door.
Jehovah Jireh
Opening shot of the second seed (rocky place)
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