"Hope in a Broken World - The Making of the Capstone Project: Foster" - Behind the Magic Podcast with Mauricio Ferrazza

In this episode of Behind the MAGIC, we go behind the scenes of FOSTER, a student capstone animated short developed at the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College.Set in a haunting post-apocalyptic world, FOSTER follows a wooden humanoid navigating loss, memory, and survival after war has devastated life on Earth. When a fragile device holding the memory of a fallen companion begins to fail, Foster embarks on a journey toward a mysterious beacon — and an unexpected choice that will define the future.We sit down with the student creators to explore:The creative vision behind the world of FOSTEREnvironmental storytelling and emotional character designProduction pipeline from concept to final renderTechnical challenges in lighting, atmosphere, and animationThematic development around grief, trust, and sacrificeLessons learned during the capstone experienceHow the project prepares students for the animation industryThis conversation dives into both the artistry and the discipline required to bring a cinematic animated short to life under real production conditions.Film Premiere: April 29, 2026 Produced by: MAGIC at Miami Dade College Host: Brenna Verner Guests: Juliette Brooks, Melanie Mailleux and Mariana Correa Executive Producer: Mauricio Ferrazza