A Stop Motion for Sqirl

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Hello friends! It’s officially May!! We’re almost free from the grasp of the hardest months of the year! Summer is on the horizon, weather is getting warmer, and the air smells like fresh possibility. I’m looking forward to hanging out on the patio and drinking iced coffee with a good book. :)

I wanted to share a few new projects, then a deep dive into a film I made in 2022 that was just released! I’ll end with some things have been inspiring me lately. Grab a cozy bev, and let’s dive in!

Most notably: an animation I created in 2022 for Sqirl was finally published! Yes, if you can believe it, four years later!! ha. I had fully accepted this project may never see the light of day, so imagine my surprise and delight when it was! I created this video to announce Sqirl’s new dinner service. I have yet to experience the dinner service, but omg everything looks so delicious and beautiful! Can’t wait to try it.

Over the winter break I created a video for Mindchatter, to promote his tour. A big goal of mine has been to work with more musicians, so this was a really exciting opportunity.

The Mielle Organics work was published! This was so gratifying– I already use and love their products (the rosemary mint hair oil and leave-in conditioner are my faves), and was so excited to create some custom animations for them. It was an experimental project for me, I tried several new analog techniques and really pushed myself creatively. It’s been performing well on social media, and so cool to see the positive response! In addition to the anthem film, I created four different story videos for them, highlighting individuals, telling their story and about how they use Mielle products. Snippet below–

Sharing concepts, animatics, and more!

The brief was to create a video announcing the launch of their dinner service. I pitched several concepts, here are the two that we selected to move forward with:

After choosing concepts, I created animatics to help establish timing and story.

Once these were approved, it was time to build and animate! I made so much tiny food. I think my favorite part of this project was sculpting real people as the “regulars,” eating their favorite dishes.

The restaurant and regulars:

The food videos– these ended up not being used, as the menu changed and they no long offer these dishes. I still love how they turned out though, and wanted to share.

Movies, music, and arty things that have moved me!

If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
This movie took 8 years for the director to make! She describes it being loosely based on a true story, about a time when her daughter was diagnosed with a rare illness. The two of them moved into a cramped hotel room for several months as she cared for her. The film is a really cool blend of honest human emotion and magical realism. Written and directed by Mary Bronstein, who also acts in it!

Rama Duwaji, photographed by Szilveszter Makó for The Cut
I have not been this inspired/excited/awestruck by a photoshoot in a looong time. This truly moved me. Rama Duwaji is a breath of fresh air.

Holly Humberstone’s new album
Loving this new album and music video from Holly Humberstone

Chloe Zhao Interviews
Hearing Chloe Zhao speak about being female and making movies is so healing. A very very simple intersection that is rarely discussed so honestly.

Send Help
A thoughtful and satisfying revenge fantasy movie, for all the office workers out there who have ever felt like a doormat at their job. Directed by Sam Raimi, so you know it will be unhinged in the best way!

Mile End Kicks
I loved this movie so much. It takes place in Montreal in 2011, and it a love letter to 2010’s indie rock and making bad decisions in your early 20s. It’s been advertised as a sibling to Almost Famous, though after watching I think it stands alone as a unique piece. Great to see Barbie Ferreira in a different type of role, really heartwarming and life-affirming.

Also….stop motion is having a moment?! Did anyone else see Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella teaser, and the Coachella bumpers?! Very cool. I think we as a culture are starting to value more hand-made things as a response to AI! Let’s freakin go.

Wishing you a lovely week full of creativity and delicious snacks!