Private Project

The Mini-Adventures of Mega Pup: Fire!

Mega Pup, a super-powered puppy, must save his little sister Baby Cat from certain, fiery doom. He's the only dog for the job - and he'll look cute doing it!

An animated short film for everybody of all ages. Action, laughs, and maybe a few tears (mostly from Baby Cat).

  • Nick Fulfaro
    Creator (Writer / Director / Animator)
  • Brandon Tomei
    Music
  • Leo Weismantel
    Voice Acting
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Runtime:
    2 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 29, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

Nick Fulfaro is an animator from South New Jersey, who went to school in Philadelphia, and now makes cartoons in Los Angeles, California.

Nick currently works remotely as a graphics producer for Glass Entertainment Group, a company based in Philadelphia, since 2019, where he specializes in making motion graphics for reality TV and true crime docuseries.

He found a small audience on the internet making animated TikToks and YouTube videos, but has pivoted to making the art that speaks to him more - his new project Mega Pup and Baby Cat, a web series following a super powered dog and his little sister, as they try to make the world a kinder place.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

'The Mini-Adventures of Mega Pup: Fire!' has been a very meaningful film for me to work on.

When I went to college at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, every senior worked on a "senior thesis film" - something to put their whole heart into to show their skills and their identity at that point in time. I'm happy with the film I made, but that was 5 years ago. Things are different; I'm not the same artist.

During the COVID lockdown, I wanted to challenge myself again - to make ANOTHER senior thesis film. Something that would act as a NEW benchmark for the artist I am today.

'The Mini-Adventures of Mega Pup: Fire!' began as that project, but has ballooned into an even more ambitious and meaningful project for me than I had anticipated. I've worked on it for two years, and it's traveled with me as I transitioned from quarantining in my mom's basement in New Jersey to living with my girlfriend in California.

Mega Pup is a passion project, one that I feel wears its vulnerability on its sleeve. When I was a teenage animator, I dreamed of working at the big studios and seeing my stories on TV, but with the increased accessibility of tools and wider interest in animation today, going independent and showcasing your character has never been more appealing.

The world of Mega Pup is cute and dorky - one that I feel isn't meant to be boxed in as "just for kids" or "just for adults", but for anybody who shares the same appreciation for cuteness, humor, action, and emotional honesty that I do. Mega Pup, as a concept, is meant to try to cut through the cynicism and toxically hyper-masculine expectations that I had to un-learn from my adolescence. It's meant to be kinder, wiser, and more patient.

As a project, I'm very happy with how 'The Mini-Adventures of Mega Pup: Fire!' has turned out, and I very much hope you'll consider it for your film festival and keep an eye out for even more shorts to come in the near future on social media.