LOOK AT ME is a 60 second film experimenting with surrealist techniques to depict the impacts of enduring daily life prior to receiving a diagnosis for autism. Personal experiences of masking, sensory overload and burnout are the key highlights explored in this film, with the overall idea being the despair in not knowing the answer to one’s struggle.

The ambition in creating LOOK AT ME is to mimic and amplify the neurodivergent individual’s perspective of the world and how intense, sometimes excruciating, it is to simply be without understanding the cause of their strifes during the most vulnerable stages of life.

Multiple forms of media were tested, from practical effects to hand-drawn animations.

The Surgeon (2020)

A “Creative Generation: Excellence in Visual Art” awarded film, the beginning of my creative journey in greater prospects. Exhibited at the Gallery Of Modern Art (Brisbane) in April 2021.

Artist Statement: One of the major stages in a child’s life is their loss of innocence. They discover the harsh reality of the world and their awareness of evil, pain and suffering grows, while also acknowledging the social expectations that hover over themselves and other people. The Surgeon explores the impact of the conflict between appearance and reality on children by defacing dainty toys. When exposed to our cruel way of life, the horrors remain under their skin like permanent ink. At what point in their life do children let the first drop of darkness stain their vision of the world?

When I was younger and browsing through YouTube, I landed on a video where someone used Littlest Pet Shop, also known as LPS, to make a skit. I was inspired and had to try it myself! So I grabbed my small collection and started recording on the phone and made short videos of my own. I later figured out how to edit with a basic software, then how to make a YouTube channel and upload videos, and here I am now!

I embrace it because it was what made me discover the art of film and want to pursue filmmaking. I like to view this collection as an art form, and something much similar to stop-motion LEGO films. For many years, it has been a creative outlet and a platform to share creative stories, and improve my filmmaking and screenwriting.

Here’s my recent series, and stills from the series, that I am proud of:

And there is a whole community out there! I have made many friends who share similar passions of filmmaking with me and are super creative. There are very unique projects that require more than one person to do, and I have participated in some of them! For example, check out this series that my friend and collaborator, HelloStudios, has made:

I hope I have given you an insight into this niche that’s in YouTube. Without it, I wouldn’t be invested in the art of film like I am today.

LOOK AT ME (2024)

The Surgeon (2020)