No-Budget Personal Films

Before I started working in animation, I studied and produced my own live-action films! Some of these projects feel like ages ago, and I’ve certainly grown a lot in technique and execution since making them. But their themes, questions, emotions, and philosophies are still (and forever) my lifeblood.

I hope you enjoy a trip down memory lane with me ~

Herstory — Mixed-Media Documentary. 2014

An improvised project that I shot in my dorm bathroom, edited, illustrated, and directed.

Herstory is a low-fi documentary about my mom, and the things she’s seen coming to the US from a Communist-Revolutionary China of the 1960s-80s.

Silk — Horror/Thriller. 2014

A short rhythm piece, mashing up the feelings called lustfearguilt.

Written, Directed, Shot, Edited, Sound Design + Vocals by me.

Big Sister — Coming-of-Age Dramedy. 2015

Home alone for the weekend, awkward teen Toby and his awkward baby sister find themselves “meeting” each other for the first time.

Big Sister was my junior-thesis project in the USC film production program. For the morbidly curious, junior-thesis productions entail $1000, 3 core crew members, and 4 weeks to do pre-production, shoot principal photography, edit, design sound, and try not to die.

Written + Directed be me.
Shot + Edited by Jack Flynn.
Produced + Sound Designed by Charlotte Lobdell.

How To Look — Coming-of-Age Drama. 2014

A dear actress friend of mine, Miya Kodama (also starring), and I were talking a lot about navigating the tangled brambles of male gaze, body image, and coming of age. I wanted to tell a story that created a dialogue with this reality we live in, and to play with those existing expectations…

Starring Miya Kodama and Allison Jaye.
Written, directed, storyboarded, shot + edited by me.

Glass House — 2015

Fun playing with lighting, cameras, time + space in this Springbreakers-inspired short written and directed by Charlotte Lobdell (also for her junior thesis). “Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”

Storyboard, Cinematography, + Editing by me.
Written + Directed by Charlotte Lobdell.
Produced + Sound Designed by Jack Flynn.

PASSWORD: 310

Gone — Drama. 2014

Gone is the story of a young, reclusive kleptomaniac who understands the world through the little trinkets she steals. But when a stranger makes himself at home at her hideout, she finds that it is time to step out of her comfort zone.

Starring Rika Hoffman and Max Boulanger.
Written, directed, storyboarded, shot + edited by me.

Kings Castle (Anna & The Static) — Lyric Music Video. 2014

Honey, I ain’t lonelyyyyy.

XpoBlues — VR Short. 2017

XpoBlues is a goofy VR short film that was inspired by my daily 3-hour commute on the LA metro trains. The film has been showcased at the 2018 E3 After-Party / Art Gallery, presented by Women in Games Int'l.