Theatre of the Unaligned
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[JttQ BONUS EP] Elliot - The Test
🕑 Added 2025-09-26 18:37:05 +0000 UTCContent Warning: Depiction of Attempted Suicide. Viewer discretion is advised
Sorry this one's so late in the day, y'all
As we ramp up to the Kickstarter's launch, we wanted to fill the time between the end of the season and launch with some special extra-short episodes. We figured now would be a great time to flex our animation chops and explore the more dramatic elements of our characters' histories. We're choosing storylines that don't need a lot of time, don't necessarily need to be explored in the main series, but we feel sheds additional light on the characters. So, consider this the first of a few OVAs!
This one is an answer to the question many comments raised in Episode 29: "How does Elliot know he's not allowed to die?". It's a bit of a pivotal moment for him, confirming his suspicions and solidifying his mentality going forward.
Because of the subject matter, we went back and forth a lot discussing how to portray it and how to show Elliot's mental journey in as few words as possible. While Elliot himself isn't depicted as wanting to die or finding peace in the attempt, that doesn't change the fact we're still depicting a character throwing themself off a bridge (even if it is a test regarding his patron). Whether or not we succeeded isn't up to us to determine, of course, and it may vary from person to person, hence we felt a content warning was the very least we could do.
I enjoyed figuring out the techniques to do the fixed-camera fall! It's not perfect (ignore any errors, they don't exist shhh), but it was genuinely fun to go full-tilt into more dramatic lighting and animation.
Take care of yourselves, love yourselves, and we'll see you at the next one!
-Jay
Comments
Averie-in-reverie
"Unable" implies that someone physically cannot die, either because they are immortal/invincible or as a casual way of saying someone is really lucky that they haven't died yet. Elliot saying he's "not allowed" to die, more so implies that something or someone (in this case his patron) does not give him permission to die and will prevent him from dying whether Elliot likes it or not. TLDR: When Elliot says he's not allowed to die, he is saying that his patron will prevent him from dying if he's in any danger of it
Theatre of the Unaligned
The series is named Journey to the Quest https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/totu/journey-to-the-quest-an-animated-pilot Is the link to our Kickstarter.
Kent Welter
What is the name of the series or link to the kickstarter?
Reini
As a non native speaker is "not being allowed to die" the same as "unable to die"? In the episode when Elliot first said he wasn't allowed to die I thought that would mean "you may never let me die". I'm a little confused to be honest. 😅 Maybe someone here could be so nice to explain 😊
Adam Hewitt
All part and parcel of being a warlock
DimensionalThe3rd
oh twist the dagger why don't ya
Novaz
The beautiful imagery, the usage of facial expressions, you can tell what he’s thinking just from his face alone. Freaking fantastic.
Seltzire
Not even in death can he part from this arrangment....😔
asura
I like to think after his first couple attempts the eldrich god would always leave a sign or teleport him to a sign that says “ it’s simply the way it has to be”
Aurora
My goodness, this was beautiful… and poor Elliot! :(
