Don't Think About Her

An award-winning film about rejection, intrusive thoughts, and the search for freedom from oneself.
Feb 13, 2021

Concept

This film explores how infatuation can quickly spiral into a toxic, all-consuming obsession. John is both desperate to erase the thought of his ex-girlfriend and eager to reconnect with her. This internal conflict manifests as a grotesque pink boil growing from his forehead—a growth that won’t disappear until he takes action.

Brainstorming

I spent many weeks brainstorming ideas for this project, filling seven sketchbooks while exploring countless narrative directions.

Sketches of blue guy with pink head ### Storyboard Animatic

Style Experimentation

I experimented with several visual styles before landing on the final aesthetic.

Alternate styles for animation

Mixed Media Approach

To give the film a personal touch, I incorporated photos of my own body and surroundings into the animation. My favorite part was animating my hands slamming down on the keyboard.

Realistic hand pressing computer keyboard in cartoon world.

Toon Boom Interview

In this interview for Toon Boom, conducted by Erin Hynes, we dive deep into the process of making DON’T THINK ABOUT HER.

Festivals and Screenings

2021

  • Ottawa International Animation Festival — Best Student Film Award
  • Cartoons Underground — Special Mention
  • Animation Volda Festival
  • Animae Caribe International Animation & Digital Media Festival

Collaborators

  • Iva Delic — Music composer
  • Deanna Marano — Sound editing
  • Joey So — Mentor
  • Noam Sussman — Mentor
  • Jacob Tobin — FX animation
  • Hadas Rosen — Co-brain

Dissolution

The Mind Cleanser

Swing

Beep & Tweet

24 Hour Film - Scrub