I'm curious why you decided against using this approach for 3D modeling/animation, instead deciding to use it for a larger/medium project right out of the gate.
the short projects strategy usually helps when you really have no idea what project to do. the first time i used 3D, it was for the very specific reason of using a round globe in the world history video. ever since then, i have been using little bits of 3D in almost every video. actually now that i think about it it would be very convenient to do very short projects, but from a writing and general procedural standpoint, that is no longer a necessary strategy to overcome challenges there, but nonetheless shortness is still part of my repertoire