Student filmmaker's animation movie 'The Wreckoning' debuts at Zimmer Hall Nov. 23

The film is a tribute to his high school alma mater — Walnut Hills High School — and is a fictional account of a high school student who grapples with societal wrongdoings and punishment. 

“The movie has some Walnut Hills jokes in it, but it’s a movie that anyone can enjoy,” says Ruff, who graduated from Walnut Hills in spring 2024.

Ruff had a jump start in the field. He started his foray into gaming while in elementary school, he says, after a media teacher introduced the class to a gaming program called “Scratch.”  He says he enjoyed “playing around” with game design, but later — as a freshman at Walnut Hills in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns — he turned to learning animation, using the program “Blender” to consume his free time. He soon started a YouTube channel to share his creations. 

He premiered an initial release of “The Wreckoning” upon graduating from Walnut Hills, but in only a semester at UC was able to hone certain skills and make adaptations, which he says was the reason he enrolled in the program: “To test me and to push me to my limits.”

The new degree program does just that, says Mike Gasaway, assistant professor of practice and Emmy Award® winning director of the animated series “Back at the Barnyard.”

UC’s unique, studio-run environment, Gasaway says, ensures that students not only acquire in-depth knowledge of animation but also gain practical experience in collaborative teamwork, mirroring the dynamics of professional game and animation studios.

“This commitment to a hands-on, industry-aligned experience sets the stage for students to flourish across the landscape of digital entertainment and Daniel, even being new to the program, is setting a high bar for other students to aim for,” he said.  

Ruff says his next project is to make a fan movie about the popular video game “Minecraft,” and he has already recruited voice actors to participate.

For now, he’s anticipating the re-release of “The Wreckoning.” The event is free and open to the public.

“Everyone was amazed at Walnut, and I just wanted to share that with UC,” he says.

Featured image at top provided by DAAP student intern An Le.