Video | Animation
I have a deep love for animation, particularly stop motion. The meticulous attention to detail and the hands-on nature of bringing inanimate objects to life fascinate me. There's a unique charm and tangible quality in stop motion that other forms of animation or any other art forms altogether can't quite capture, making it a truly magical medium for storytelling. Although I have dabbled in different types of animation processes, stop motion remains my favorite.
White Pine Trail Running Reel
This video captures the beauty and tranquility of my daily run along the White Pine Trail. Using the CapCut app, I pieced together 7 clips of my journey through the woods, highlighting the peaceful scenery, playful wildlife like squirrels and chipmunks, and a brief shot of myself running by. Set to a soothing melody, this reel showcases the connection between nature and my routine, offering a calming visual experience. It reflects my love for capturing and sharing the small, serene moments that make each run special.
A Timeless Summer
I created a looped stop motion animation GIF using Photoshop. I chose to animate a few photos from the summer of 2019 that remind me of both my homes in Russia and Michigan. I carefully cut out each image I wanted to use and incorporated smooth movement and color transitions to ensure a seamless loop. This project not only showcased my technical skills but also allowed me to reflect on and celebrate my personal connection to both places.
I’m Comfortable Right Here
Inspired by a university friend's captivating music clip, I worked on an animation project using Premiere Pro. The rhythmic beats and melodic undertones served as the foundation for my visual narrative. I carefully synchronized the motion graphics and transitions with the music, creating a dynamic and harmonious interplay between sound and visuals. This project not only showcased my creativity in animation but also celebrated the synergy between different artistic mediums, resulting in a mesmerizing and immersive experience.
I would love the opportunity to collaborate with more musicians on animating their work :)
The American Dream
I created this GIF using Procreate on my iPad, featuring the phrase, "It's called the American dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it." The animation includes neon-colored eyes flashingly blinking, symbolizing the awakening to harsh realities or staying asleep in willful ignorance. This piece was made in response to the summer of 2020, reflecting on the injustices that unfolded and the intense political discourse leading up to the election. Through this animation, I aimed to capture the societal unrest and provoke thought about the state of the American dream.
Not the Bunny!
During my freshman year of college, I created this simple yet playful stop motion animation featuring little pieces of candy getting out of their wrappers and hanging out together. The lighthearted scene takes a humorous turn when a scary hand appears, grabs one of the chocolates, and takes a bite, causing the rest to scatter in fear. I incorporated various sound effects to heighten the comedic and dramatic moments. It was a quick and fun project that allowed me to experiment with storytelling and sound design in Premier Pro.