An Alicante Native Recreates the Origin of the Spanish Flag Through an Animated Short Film

'Nuestra bandera es la mar'. This is the title of the animated short film in which young Alicante native Aarón Chorro has recreated the naval origins of the Spanish flag, marking the 240th anniversary of its creation. Chorro is a fourth-year student in the 'Animation' degree at U-tad, a university centre commissioned by the Spanish Navy to undertake this project.

Aarón took on the role of visual effects (VFX) artist, particularly in creating the 3D sea, giving the water a cartoon style. He also performed tasks as a digital composition artist, applying final touches such as colour changes, additional light and shadow filters, etc.

Through its protagonists, Juan, a rescued castaway who begins his life in the Navy, rising from cabin boy to Lieutenant General; Churruca, the Admiral who rescues Juan and guides him in his ascent; and El Platas, a character representing camaraderie, the veteran who takes Juan under his wing to aid in his learning, this 2D animated short, filled with adventure, pirates, battles, and emotion, seeks to explain and celebrate the 240th anniversary of King Charles III's Royal Decree, which defined and unified a single flag for Spanish ships, a symbol that endures to this day.

Aarón, along with over 70 students (from vocational training, undergraduate, and postgraduate) in the animation and visual effects area of U-tad and eight faculty members, developed this project in U-tad's 'Project Center', a university ecosystem for real project execution.

Under the name 'Nuestra bandera es la mar', students and professionals worked for nine weeks on this 3-minute short film. It features the voice-over of Ramón Langa, a veteran dubbing actor, and includes contributions from leading professionals in the animation and visual effects industry, such as Abraham L. Guerrero, academic director of the animation and visual effects area at U-tad, as well as a film director and Goya Award winner; and Borja Montoro, a character designer for Disney, Dreamworks, Warner Bros, Netflix, etc.

"Participating in this project has been enriching on many levels as I have experienced a very close simulation of real and professional short film production. I have met and worked with both professionals and students who have taught me, and vice versa. The result has impressed me; the effort of all involved is evident. It has been a great effort, but the outcome has been worth it," says Aarón.