RDCWorld1 x DreamCon 2025

animationdreamcon
Written By Amiri Scrutchin

RDCWorld1 is one of my favorite content creator groups, so when I had the opportunity to work for them I jumped at the chance!

Dream Con is a culture-shifting convention created by RDC that celebrates anime, gaming, and Black creativity. Since its founding in 2018, it has grown into one of the most vibrant fan gatherings in the country. The event highlights diverse voices in spaces that are often dominated by mainstream media. From cosplay and esports to original animated premieres, Dream Con brings storytelling, fandom, and community together.

In 2025, the convention made headlines with high-profile guests and announcements. Its growing cultural impact has positioned the convention as a powerful platform for creators working at the intersection of pop culture and representation.

Background

Synopsis

CleanUniform is a series created by RDC member Affiong Harris. The series follows Dasobi and Yung Kleen, two polar opposites who both have the power to activate UNIFORMS, powerful forms which give them elemental powers. The duo navigate drug deals, criminal organizations, and their roles within the streets.

Teaser trailer for CleanUniform

My Role

Still from final video

I animated 4 character-driven scenes featuring Dasobi, which emulated old CD music videos, while still providing dynamic content and anime sensibilities. My task was to take rough boards and elevate them into final, full-color sequences, while maintaining RDC’s anime-rooted movement vocabulary and Clean Uniform’s design aesthetic.

  • Dasobi

    Music Videos and Intro

  • 4 unique scenes with a total of 25 sec of animation

    • Keyframe animation

    • Clean-up and in-betweens

    • Coloring

    • Character consistency and expressivity

The Brief

CD Commercial used as inspiration.

Client: Affiong Harris

Project Manager: Lizzie Ashliegh
Partner: RDCWorld1

Event Premiere: DreamCon 2025
My Role: 2D Character Animator
Project Type: Short-form animated music promo
Timeline: 6 Weeks

DreamCon is one of the most dynamic conventions in the U.S., celebrating anime, gaming, and Black creativity. For this year’s event, Aff, a member of RDCWorld1, launched a series of animated commercials spotlighting two original characters, Dasobi and Yung Kleen. The project combined music, movement, and visual storytelling, inviting fans into the universe of each performer through stylized micro-shorts.

Character Design: Dasobi

The process began with internal character sheets and design references. While I wasn’t responsible for the initial character design, I used these materials to define pose language, facial exaggeration, and gesture arcs in my keyframes. The goal was to maintain a crisp, dynamic energy that combined the vibe of classic CD-era music videos with modern anime-style aesthetics.

Character Turn Around

Based off of the provided character sheet

 
 

Animation Pipeline

After being given a storyboard for each scene, I started with laying out the keyframes. From there I would create the rough animation which would lead into clean lines and then full color. If I had more time, and owned the compositing, I would’ve also loved to finesse lighting, shadows, and environmental FX. But within the scope, I focused on maximizing clarity, snap, and expressive poses.

  • Here I’m focused on expression, posing, and composition. How do I convey Dasobi’s character and emotion within the scene? What are unique moments that can bring these out?

  • Here I’m focused solely on movement and timing. How and when does Dasobi get to each key pose?

  • Here I am focused on quality and consistency, making sure that Dasobi matches the character and expression sheet throughout the scene. This is also known as staying “on-model.”

  • This is where the base color is applied. Dasobi had two color palettes: one for his normal atttire and one for when his “UNIFORM” activated.

Scene 4 from roughs to full color

Watch the Full Video Here!

Spec Work: Compositing & Background Design

While i was not responsible for designing backgrounds or compositing in the final video, I used this opportunity to refine my skills in these disciplines. The scene below is a speculative example of what I would do if I had control over these areas.

Backgrounds

Still from initial storyboard

My version of scene 2’s background

Alternate color palette used for special effects

Full render of my version of scene 2 if I had full creative control.

Amiri Scrutchin
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