Reflections on Imperfections. Student Filmmaking

After four arduous years of dedicated pursuit at art school, I have finally reached the finish line with a BFA in Computer Animation. Collaborating closely with my classmates, Mikel and Adele, we made a four-minute student film utilizing our comprehensive understanding of the full 3D pipeline. Every visual element on screen was crafted from scratch by us.

STUDENT FILM "EMBARKED" WITH MY TEAMMATES MIKEL AND ADELE

Student filmmaking was in a way, one very straightforward process, and very well structured. By halfway through junior year (3rd year), we'd already pitched several stories with storyboards, concept art, and animatics to be chosen by the faculty. Truth to be told, the concept of a walking treehouse wasn't my initial preference for a project, but everyone else was so hyped about it. It's possible I was too emotionally invested in other ideas and when the treehouse idea got selected I was obviously upset. It took me a while to let it go, but I just had to get on and start the pre-production of the adventures of an abandoned treehouse.

As I poured more love and effort into the project, it began to grow on me. I took charge of designing and 3D modeling the two boys featured in the film. Additionally, I was responsible for animating multiple key shots throughout the project. While it wasn't always smooth sailing, our team navigated through occasional disagreements, followed by spontaneous Backstreet Boys karaoke sessions and sleepless nights spent together in the labs. Looking back, I hold those moments dear, recognizing that they ultimately paved the way for the successful completion of our short film.

Following its completion, I underwent a series of phases in coming to terms with this project. During the final student show presentation, I couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment over the shots I could have refined further. Yet, there was also a sense of relief and excitement that it was finally finished, despite our struggles, and that we had managed to piece together the video. As I got into larger-scale projects in the years following graduation and improved my animation skills, I found myself actively avoiding any association with this film. I wanted to bury it, erase it from memory, and never acknowledge its existence, not even in the most casual of conversations or job interviews.

However, as I sit here in 2024 writing this blog, I can't help but feel a swell of pride. I've come to appreciate the significance of this student film in my development. They serve as a reminder of my growth and evolution. I'm glad I wasn't perfect. I'm glad I can see the flaws and the limitations of my skills of the 22 years old me. Watching it now feels like reading an old diary from when I was a kid. It evokes a great nostalgia, reminding me of the earnest aspirations of my younger self.