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Ultimately, this is a very self-indulgent project. I made it with symbolism that only I would understand, and I don't really care to explain anything within the video. But I guess in light of sharing some progress, I'll add some context to the madness.
Burn Out
In January 2025, I felt a wave of burnout. I didn't enjoy my work, and could barely concentrate. I needed to take a break, and do some self-reflection.
I knew that just doing nothing would lead me nowhere, I needed something to reinvigorate myself. But at the same time, doing any personal work would just lead me to resent the very thing I'm suppose to enjoy. I was at an impasse.
I knew that just doing nothing would lead me nowhere, I needed something to reinvigorate myself. But at the same time, doing any personal work would just lead me to resent the very thing I'm suppose to enjoy. I was at an impasse.
Inspiration
Then, I watched One Piece Fan Letter, a short film for One Piece fans. As a long-time fan of the series, it brought back a wave of emotions: the nostalgia and passion for animation.
What made it special was that only the fans who have read through the entire series can understand the weight of emotion carried in that short film. It reignited something that I wanted to do for a very long time: a selfish, personal short that only made sense to me.
If you've ever watched One Piece Fan Letter, you might be able to spot the inspiration. I was also massively inspired by the character design by Keisuke Mori.
The Goal
With that reignition, I set off to make this video. I wanted this piece to be more emotionally driven than context driven. Meaning: even though the viewer doesn't understand what's going on, they can still feel the emotion being expressed.
Imagine watching a foreign film without subtitles. The weight of the storytelling is carried by the visuals and music alone.
Of course, the ultimate goal was: In doing this project, can I find my love for animation again?
Of course, the ultimate goal was: In doing this project, can I find my love for animation again?
1. Nostalgia
The beginning of the piece is meant to symbolise my early days. I think a lot of us can relate to a time when we were in our prime.
I felt unstoppable, my work was good, it was relentless and felt like it never stopped. Even though it was challenging, I enjoyed every moment of it.
I felt unstoppable, my work was good, it was relentless and felt like it never stopped. Even though it was challenging, I enjoyed every moment of it.
2. Burn Out
The middle section of the video symbolised my burnout. It was a constant reminder of my early successes but the inability to replicate it. A lot of imposter symdrome set in during this time.
It felt like everyone was watching me while I fumbled. I would try to animate in my spare time, telling myself that it was my passion, but it would just make me feel worse. It felt like falling.
It felt like everyone was watching me while I fumbled. I would try to animate in my spare time, telling myself that it was my passion, but it would just make me feel worse. It felt like falling.
3. The Spark
The end is where things get a little meta.
While working on this project, I intended to end after the 2nd part. But while working on it, I found myself falling in love with animation again.
Because of that, I didn't want to end it in a sour note, so I added this third section: a melancholy middleground. I like to think of this section as an answer to the question "did you get your spark back?"
Because of that, I didn't want to end it in a sour note, so I added this third section: a melancholy middleground. I like to think of this section as an answer to the question "did you get your spark back?"
Conclusion
In the end, I enjoyed my time working on it. It was not a client project, nor was it a personal work that I intended to market for more jobs. It was a very personal one.
Sometimes as artists for profit, we become blindsided by the business side. We forget that art is a very emotional and personal journey, that is expressed and shared to others through a creative medium.
Some of you might think: since I explained my intentions behind the video, isn't it no longer a personal piece that is privy only to myself? That may be true.
But since finishing it, I feel that it's not really a selfish project anymore: I'm pretty sure a lot of artists are feeling the same way as me. So in sharing my intentions and reasoning, I hope that it inspires someone out there... or not. It really isn't up to me. It's up to the person reading this.
Some of you might think: since I explained my intentions behind the video, isn't it no longer a personal piece that is privy only to myself? That may be true.
But since finishing it, I feel that it's not really a selfish project anymore: I'm pretty sure a lot of artists are feeling the same way as me. So in sharing my intentions and reasoning, I hope that it inspires someone out there... or not. It really isn't up to me. It's up to the person reading this.
