School Projects
This page showcases video projects produced as part of the Integrated New Media Studies degree at Indiana University South Bend. The work presented highlights the development of essential motion media skills, including animation, video editing, lighting design, and overall project development. Through these projects, there has been an exploration of the creative and technical processes involved in visual storytelling while gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and production techniques.
01
Self Portrait
The requirements were to present a self-portrait through video. The piece explores themes of beauty standards and aging in women, using inner dialogue and shifting camera perspectives to reflect personal perception and self-reflection.
The project also served as a technical exercise, incorporating the use of S-Log3 on the Sony A7IV. The footage was color graded and edited in DaVinci Resolve, allowing for experimentation with tone and color grading.
02
Logo Reveal
This project features a logo reveal developed from a previously conceptualized production company brand by Karissa. The piece provided an opportunity to experiment with particle systems and camera movement within Adobe After Effects, exploring how motion, timing, and visual effects can enhance brand identity and create a more engaging visual presentation.
03
Instructional Video
This instructional video demonstrates the process of photographing and editing earrings for product presentation. The project walks viewers through key steps, including framing, positioning, camera settings, and post-production techniques.
The tutorial highlights the use of Adobe Photoshop for image refinement, emphasizing methods that enhance clarity and visual appeal. The final photographs were later used on the website for the jewelry company Hey Girl Hey Jewelry, providing practical application for the techniques demonstrated in the video.
04
Abstract Experimental
This experimental video piece focuses on visual aesthetics and abstract imagery. The project explores the interaction of water, light, and feedback loops to create evolving textures and patterns. During the first half of the piece, a clear vase filled with water was placed over a camera while a sheet of paper was positioned around the vase to manipulate light and shadow. Movement of the paper, along with the addition of food coloring and iridescent heart beads, created layered distortions and shifting visual forms that produce an immersive viewing experience. The second portion of the video emerged from an unplanned discovery. While connecting the phone to a laptop to monitor the shot, the camera briefly pointed toward the computer screen, producing a psychedelic feedback effect that was incorporated into the final composition. In post-production, overlays and crossfades were used to blend the visual elements.
No audio is presented for this piece.
05
Rotoscoping
This project focuses on practicing rotoscoping techniques through the creation of an animated character featured in a short podcast-style segment. The piece explores how rotoscoping can be used to bring personality and expression to animated characters while blending live-action reference with stylized visuals. The project also provided experience in synchronizing character animation with spoken audio to create a cohesive animated podcast presentation.
06
South Bend Promo
This project presents a short commercial-style video highlighting the city of South Bend and a selection of local attractions and activities. The piece focuses on capturing the atmosphere and character of the area while showcasing places and experiences that contribute to the city’s identity.
Images were retrieved from a local website, including Visit South Bend.
07
Animated Commercial
This fully animated project was created for a real estate professional to promote his brand and services. The video features custom-designed characters and stylized visuals to create a friendly and engaging presentation of the agent’s identity. The animation explores creative scene transitions and motion techniques to maintain visual interest while guiding viewers through the narrative. The project also incorporates the agent’s tagline, “Pick Nick 2 Sell,” reinforcing brand recognition through animated storytelling.
08
Animated Short
This animated project was developed as part of a larger multi-part series totaling approximately 30 minutes of content. Created within a one-week timeframe, the piece served as a focused exercise in rapid production and creative problem-solving using AI and previously developed skills. The project explores a variety of animation techniques while experimenting with the transition of 2D characters into 3D ones. Through this process, the work investigates how dimensionality, movement, and visual style can be adapted to create a cohesive animated experience.
Made in part with Artificial Intelligence
Stock footage taken from Motion Array.
09
Liability Boat Club
This project features a commercial-style video created for a fictional video game environment centered around a satirical scam boat club. The piece was designed to mimic the style and tone of promotional advertisements, adding humor while establishing the personality of the in-game brand. The video was filmed using green screen techniques to allow for flexible background integration and visual compositing during post-production. The project provided experience in combining performance, compositing, and commercial-style storytelling to create a promotional piece suitable for a game world setting.
10
Documenting Space
This project was inspired by the visual style of filmmaker Wes Anderson, known for his distinctive composition, symmetry, and color palettes. The piece explores how deliberate framing and stylistic choices can influence storytelling and visual tone.
The project served as an opportunity to experiment with a variety of shot types, camera angles, and composition techniques influenced by Anderson’s aesthetic. Through this exploration, the video investigates how structured visuals and intentional camera placement can create a unique and recognizable visual style.