Mundus
Home to wyverns and other talking creatures. As its magic dwindles, the landscape and its inhabitants lose the qualities that make their world alive.
Birrell Jones Productions presents
Through the Dark Moon(and Back Again)
An animated fantasy feature by Suzanne Birrell
When his world begins to lose its magic, a reluctant young wyvern must cross the dark moon—and discover that saving everyone starts with caring for someone else.
Screenplay and character development · Concept artwork shown
Synopsis
A world losing its voice. A hero finding his.
On Mundus, a world beneath two orange suns, magic is disappearing. Flowers fade, the land dries out, and its talking creatures lose their voices and become animals. For Osmanthus—Oz to his family—the crisis becomes personal when his father can no longer speak.
Born on the day of the Eclipse of Fire, Oz has enough magic to cross the dark moon and seek a way to save his home. He would much rather someone else went. But with time running out, the young wyvern steps into the unknown.
Beyond the crossing lies Dulciterra: a dazzling, unpredictable world of strange encounters, temptations and difficult choices. With the Griffin Fly Pyr-Yendy and the aging Tekbalang Tyk drawn into his adventure, Oz must learn to listen, take responsibility and put another life before his own.
He has been told to return before the crescent moon. Finding a path home will require more than magic.
- Format
- Animated feature
- Genre
- Fantasy adventure
- Writer
- Suzanne Birrell
- Materials
- Screenplay & character art
The world
Two suns. One extraordinary crossing.
Dulciterra
A place of abundance and wonder, where easy answers can lead astray. Here, Oz confronts what magic demands of those who use it.
The Dark Moon
The Eclipse of Fire opens Oz’s passage. The moon’s changing shape sets the urgency of his journey and the possibility of his return.
Environment concept illustrations · Select either image to explore it at full size.
From the screenplay
The characters. In their worlds.
Two moments from Suzanne Birrell’s screenplay: a farewell beneath the Eclipse of Fire, and a splash of chaos in Dulciterra. Scene concept illustrations bring the character designs into the landscapes of the story.
Mundus · The Eclipse of Fire
With the dark moon crossing the suns, Oz prepares to leave home. Mudar and Olyvee watch from the hilltop while Pyr-Yendy stays close.
Inspired by EXT. THE PLANET MUNDUS HILLTOP – DAY · pp. 13–15 · Development illustration
Dulciterra · A very wet welcome
Oz splashes through the stream while Asher, Doleo and Tristus try to keep their feet dry. Pyr-Yendy’s arrival turns the crossing into a reunion.
Inspired by EXT. DULCITERRA WATERFALL – DAY · pp. 39–40 · Development illustration
Characters & visual development
A very unlikely company
Meet the family, companions and curious inhabitants of Oz’s journey. Select any image to inspect the complete artwork. These are development concepts, not announced voice casting or final animation designs.
Osmanthus “Oz” Sylvan
The reluctant hero
A young blue-green wyvern whose rare hatch day makes him Mundus’s hope. His journey turns self-interest into responsibility.
Pyr-Yendy
The loyal friend
A turquoise Griffin Fly with a direct way of speaking and a persistent concern for Oz. Small in scale, essential to the journey.
Tyk
The unlikely companion
An aging Tekbalang, a horse-like creature who walks on two legs. Blunt and increasingly given to neighing, he still has courage to spare.
Olyvee
The older sister
A rose-colored wyvern who wants to make the crossing herself. Protective, capable and often exasperated by her brother.
Sassyfras
The younger sister
A coral-colored wyvern with sharp opinions and no shortage of attitude. Part of the family Oz must learn to value.
Mudar
The mother
Torn between protecting her son and knowing what Mundus needs, she sends him toward a danger she wishes she could face herself.
Dadyar
The father
The loss of his voice makes the cost of vanishing magic painfully real for Oz.
Vet-Mudar
The grandmother
Affectionate, formidable and rooted in family memory. She knows a previous generation made this journey.
Asher
One of the Three Dog Knights
An exuberant presence whose friendship becomes part of Oz’s education in caring for others.
Doleo
One of the Three Dog Knights
A companion in Dulciterra, sharing the Knights’ adventures, appetites and hopes for a happier ending.
Tristus
One of the Three Dog Knights
The mournful voice among the Knights, quick to recognize the trouble that selfishness and dishonesty can bring.
Incindia
Keeper of the fire
A fiery presence who helps Oz understand the connection between caring and the magic within.
Cigam Drol
The High Lord of Magic
An imposing figure whose warnings and riddling words challenge Oz to understand the rules of magic.
The Rice Merchant
An unexpected guide
An enigmatic woman whose encounters with Oz connect food, time and the way home.
Bib & Babs
Two voices, one bird
A two-headed bird adding a lively, comic presence to the strange company of Dulciterra.
The Kid
A child from Earth
A human child whose presence broadens the story’s encounters beyond the creatures of Mundus.
Osmanthus · Around the character
Tone & themes
Wonder with something at stake
Adventure & absurdity
Inventive creatures, family squabbles, verbal play and strange encounters bring humor to a journey with real consequences.
Magic & responsibility
Magic can be wasted. Voices can be lost. Oz has to learn that his choices affect the lives around him.
Courage & connection
Bravery grows through friendship, listening and care. The path home is also a path toward becoming someone others can count on.
Production information
From screenplay to screen
Development materials
A complete feature screenplay and a collection of character turnarounds, expressions and scale references form the foundation of the project. The visual development explores character silhouettes, expressions and relationships across Oz’s family and the wider cast.
Production conversations
For screenplay consideration, animation collaboration, co-production, representation or financing inquiries, contact Birrell Jones Productions. Script access and additional materials can be discussed directly with the team.
Artwork is presented as visual development. A production budget, schedule, release date and voice cast have not been announced here.
The creative team
Birrell Jones Productions
Suzanne Birrell
Writer
The screenwriter behind Through the Dark Moon (and Back Again). Suzanne’s work spans screenwriting, filmmaking and music, with an interest in distinctive voices and strong characters.
Chuck Jones
Producer · Birrell Jones Productions
Working with Suzanne through Birrell Jones Productions in Chimayo, New Mexico, Chuck brings photography, production and creative technology experience to the project’s development.
Inquiries
Let’s bring the journey to life
Request the screenplay or start a conversation about the production.