"You Should See Other People" - Thesis Film

"You Should See Other People" is a three minute mixed media vignette following a misguided 20-something as she copes with the hurtful affairs she's been involved in.
This short film was produced at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2022. It stars Caity Nitahara (Maxine) and Alexis Campbell (Sonny), with Ike Osere (Dini) in a supporting role. The film premiered at the 2022 Sweaty Eyeballs Animation Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. It also went on to screen at the 2023 Animation Block Party.
Please follow and show your love to the cast!
Caity Nitahara: / caitnita
Alexis Campbell: / alexisdoesvo
Ike Osere: / ikeosere
Uriel Cruz: / yourrealcruise

[@yourrealcruise]

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for all the support on this film! I never thought this many people would watch it. If you have any questions for me, I'd love to answer them under this comment. Thanks! 🐛🎉

[@jlicia8279]

hi! I hope you don't mind but I'm including this animation in my presentation this week (it's not graded it's just to present ideas) as a part of my 'benchmark' slide, where I have to find 'an example of animation work that is your benchmark that you want to achieve technically'. the use of filmed spaces and how you've inserted the characters into them looks beautiful, as if they're actually there, they move with the camera's slight shake and it's super impressive. it's something I've always wanted to try and would love to perfect some day. I'd like to know how you achieved it? what was the process? did you have to make drafts and plans in order to make sure the animated characters worked well with the environment? thank you!

[@goodnightgoodnightgoodnight]

hi hi so glad i caught this comment! ive been rewatching at least once a day. if its not too personal to ask, did this animation come from any experiences you went through? stories you heard about? its just so intimately uncomfortable from each characters perspective that id love to know!

[@yourrealcruise]

@jlicia8279 Hi! That's really cool! I hope the presentation goes well. For my process, I'd record footage either on an old canon camera or with my phone. I'd bring the footage into After Effects and use the stock motion tracker plug-in to track a distinct point on the screen (a stain on the wall, a dark object in a bright space, etc.) Usually it's pretty smooth but you may have to go in and tweak some keyframes that jitter. I'd parent that motion to my animation file and the characters would now follow the motion of that tracked point. I also added filters like gaussian blur and noise so it didn't look too clean against the blurry footage. Color correction, vignettes, and duplicating the animation and inverting it/lowering its opacity so it's a black silhouette that serves as a shadow also go a long way. There are tons of tutorials on here that can give you a quick rundown of how to motion track. All the extra stuff was just my personal process to get things to look the way I wanted them to. I'd been playing with motion tracking for a while before making this so once you get the basics down you can add your own spin on it. "Prodigy Report" was actually the first video I'd used motion tracking for and once I got the tracking down I used this project as a way to practice blending the animation with the bg. I hope that somewhat helps! It's not as complicated as it may seem once you watch a tutorial!! Good luck :)

[@yourrealcruise]

@goodnightgoodnightgoodnight This story was inspired by some past experiences of mine that I meshed together. My goal was to create a story in which all of the characters are both at fault and victims of their situation. To achieve this despite only having my side to use as a reference, I spent a lot of time watching sad media. Jonni Peppers' filmography, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag, and Scenes from a Marriage on HBO inspired me a lot while I wrote and animated this. Their works feature very fleshed out relationships and flawed characters that I hoped to incorporate into my own work. Some people in the comments have already noticed that this film's story isn't the most coherent, so I'm hoping I can do a better job at doing this in my next project. This was a fun stepping stone though! Thanks for watching :)

[@oriandon22]

i have a big question: do you ever plan on doing more like this?? wow. also, so, so queer. love it so much.

[@mataschmata]

I really appreciate dini's character in this, no anger no yelling, just resigned pain. I've been there. max doesn't need to hear anything to know she fucked up. lovely film.

[@poopydaddy7527]

Yes I agree slim big money cuh

[@RaspBerryPies]

Yeah it’s great! Also love the detail of her still causing problems and not truly being committed when she’s with her affair partner. It shows that these people don’t really know what they want and won’t magically be happy with a new person When it come to cheaters it doesn’t matter how perfect your relationship is. (Showing how level headed and calm they were when they figured out she was cheating they must have been a good communicator and partner) it just comes down to them as a person being unsatisfied with life. That’s my thought process. that’s also why even people in poly or open relationships still cheat even though it actually takes way more extra steps to do so. It’s frustrating but a realistic representation of this experience!

[@tfisitsobrightfor-kr8yp]

i dont understand

[@spookybagles]

​@tfisitsobrightfor-kr8yp think of it as like, "his silence speaks a thousand words." He didn't need to get loud and angry and yell at her to show that he was hurt by the cheating, and that kind of reaction isn't typically shown in media

[@nibbonbon]

@@RaspBerryPies Thank you for writing what I was thinking about

[@mallbat]

the use of live action backgrounds is so moving, it makes it all feel so much more raw and real. seriously touching film. thank you for making this

[@FrankieAmadeian.]

Ever been called out for being found on other comment sections?

[@PeregrineFalcon646]

mallbat

[@mowmowkittycar]

HAIII MALLBAT I love u :3

[@callmeaprilroseorisha404]

OMG, MALLBAT

[@mantis7939]

Hell yeah it’s mallbat!

[@campbell_soup517]

I love the way you showed the passing of time at the end just by showing how long Max's hair had grown. Amazing work of "show don't tell".

[@tashibalampkin8555]

You make a good point. I didn't notice that.

[@mammalfriend]

they got that shit on though

[@DrizzyB]

Maybe the real answer was thuggin that shit out🥶🥶🥶

[@moosesues8887]

She got a skullcap on bro I’m dead 😭

[@raracabra]

love mammalfriend

[@chickennuggie4089]

Mammalfriend jumpscare!!! I love quoting your eyes video with my friends They love Teenie nini nunu day

[@ka-Rin]

I hate y'all for making me laugh after this 😂

[@scoopy_banoopy]

this was beautiful...oughhh dini's glance down to the hickey on maxine's neck :(

[@Hobo-Fushiguro]

​@@kinniecrimes5802 the neck

[@possibly_ben]

​@@kinniecrimes58020:07

[@_kaleido]

I think this is the first time I’ve seen an animated character with a bonnet tbh, it’s a small detail but as someone who wears bonnets like 24/7/365 I love it 😂

[@XøchíAngel]

Watch moongirl & devil dinosaur 🌟

[@supakku]

Fr

[@_kaleido]

@@XøchíAngel I’ve seen ads for that show! it looks really cute

[@lulusobel8643]

@@XøchíAngel Oh, and Jessica wore one on Jessica's Big Little World.

[@deeranfoxworthy6069]

I haven't heard it called that before, but I think I understand what you're talking about. Luz in season 3 of The Owl House wore one for a bit.

[@neiiko5712]

I also like the shaky camera movement. It helps make it feel more organic like the cartoon characters are breathing with the audience. It gives an extra sense of relatability

[@mnop1305]

I cant help but keep rewatching the part where sonny confronts max in the bedroom and the issues between them come bubbling up from under the surface through that sweater, poisoning what seemed like would have been a hopeful and pleasant day out together if it hadnt been for that. The character acting and facial animation and the way you can see sonny's thought process and slow switch in mood on their face and exasperated body language. The way max doesnt even say a word to them through that exchange. This is lovely art

[@ANIMAL.LOVERS.DONT.EAT.ANIMALS]

im confused can someone explain whats happening?

[@_Frieza]

​@@ANIMAL.LOVERS.DONT.EAT.ANIMALS From what I can gather, Maxine is the girl who walks into the house at the beginning of the film. The person who she's talking to on the phone, who I assume is sonny, is an ex or someone they know, who probably got freaky that night. The dude in the purple sweater was Maxine's partner. So Maxine cheated, I think.

[@Adam-xv7du]

@@ANIMAL.LOVERS.DONT.EAT.ANIMALS Max had cheated on her old partner, Dini (dude w/ the bonnet), with Sonny. She came home after a date with Sonny, and Dini noticed the hickey on her neck and broke things off with her. Max and Sonny started dating. Through Max & Sonny's interaction, we can see that Max regrets cheating on Dini and getting with Sonny. She still wears Dini's sweater, and dreams about sleeping next to him.

[@rhiannawarus12121]

@@Adam-xv7du quite literally lying in the bed she made. this short film has good layers

[@jetbean9157]

@@Adam-xv7duI might add that I think max is the one who broke it off with him since it seems like the “thing” Sonny asked if she had done yet was break up with him, and we cut to “you should see other people” when max opens her mouth to talk to dini

[@Aevoa]

cheaters get no sympothy from me, but nicely made short

[@heyimgalaxy]

1:20 the way dini looks at max says everything they dont and its heartbreaking.

[@unathimdlalose]

i love how mans wrote “you should start seeing other people” instead of “we” makes me think of how he knew that her staying in the relationship or him fighting for her to stay wouldn’t truly work out. in a way its like his last gift to her if that makes sense? he knows he cant make her happy so he lets her go to be happy with her right one even if she was his right one

[@katquin]

damn that’s so so sad

[@gothicpixelchick2]

I was in this situation, like in Dini's position specifically, and this fucked me up a little to watch lol. It's a little too familiar. The ex who cheated on you constantly, and never wanted you when you were with them, but once you cut them out and they couldn't have you anymore, of course THAT'S when they get obsessed over you. I wonder if my ex's supposed fiance even knows how much they lurk and archive my socials throughout the years despite me trying to block them and never talking to them😬 but at least it's to their own detriment. Max is clearly screwing themselves over in the process because now, they don't have ANY relationships they can fall back on comfortably. No one trusts them and they can't even trust themselves to know what they want.

[@RaspBerryPies]

Yes exactly bro! Sorry that you went through that, but also nice to see someone who gets it. I talk to some people who haven’t experienced this and they usually have some sympathy for the cheater (especially if they’re a woman) and don’t understand that if I got back with them it would be back to the same shit (cheating on me) since they don’t know what they want! Also the woman comment I am a woman as well! I just noticed when it was a friend who’s male partner cheated ppl are more likely to call the dude trash or say shit, but when it’s with a woman everyone is way more gentle about it and it’s like come on can’t I get some anger about my situation too!? Like idk how to explain it. It’s even worse when their “excuse” and how they did it were almost IDENTICAL but for me it’s just “maybe they really regret it and want to fix things” 🙄

[@Broodling1]

Wow, that felt bad. Great job!

[@tessarae9127]

Right 😂

[@oliverfulayter5515]

Exactly how I'm sitting here right now. "Wow, that made me feel horrible. What good art."

[@tashibalampkin8555]

Exactly. This whole flim hurts so good.

[@Allison-yy3vp]

Yep

[@shazbot16]

That "gotta get up" part resonated with me so hard. Made me think back to those mornings with my ex. idk why I felt like I had to feel that, but thank you for that.

[@hypnoticskull6342]

My long-distance boyfriend recently dumped me. His self esteem is awful and he told me that I deserve better. He hasn't replied to me, he blocked me. I'm not angry or sad or anything really. I just feel weird. He was the first real relationship I had and we clicked so well, I thought. Things just didn't seem to be meant to stay. It sucks when you know that someone still loves you and you love them, but one of you or both of you are doing something to stop each other from liking each other. I've learned that liking and loving someone are two very different things. I still love him, but after he dumped me so hard, I can't bring myself to like him again.

[@SoonSilver]

Poor guy, self esteem is a huge pain especially when you're beating yourself down constantly. There may be more to the story but personally, I say at least try to empathize with how he sees this

[@hypnoticskull6342]

@@SoonSilver I'm trying, but I don't know how. Last message I sent him was that I wanted him to love himself like I love him. He hasn't responded and I doubt he will respond. It sucks, but maybe it just isn't meant to be

[@SoonSilver]

@@hypnoticskull6342 Yeah that can suck, and I'm sorry you guys had to go through that, but in my opinion I feel like it's no one's fault here. You tried and that's awesome, but some people with Terrible and I mean terrible self esteem have harder times accepting Good things given to them, this could be from their past experiences or mental state. So in conclusion I personally think moving on is a good option but again try to see it from his eyes cause I too have some self esteem and it's nothing fun

[@salasyk8708]

It's sad when that happens. Yeah. Killed me having to go through that a couple of times. Ive settled now but honestly very few times I think of the past and it still hurts me. I guess you eventually move on. I hate how things ended. I loved the connections.. I miss a few. Maybe they were better than now. But at least I feel more secured and loved a lot still. I don't know why the people you love so much just.. decide to stray away. For me it wasn't even forever though. They always came back. I has one who left forever this time after a while.. with someone else. The other one came back to tell me I truly was the one. But I couldn't go back. I feel like I still have something for them but.. is it really the best? To go back now? Was the past love worth it? Would it be the same? Did the bad endings not make it worth it anymore? I don't know. Good luck, I hope you end up finding some kind of peace. I'm almost a year in. I think I'm getting there. Take care

[@kaitlnwhite6809]

Not a reflection on you and honestly, live your life. You seem kind and caring to those you allow in your life, but sometimes people like that are just parasites and use your kindness to build their ego. Find someone who's inspired by you and when they feel they don't measure up to you in some areas, they are inspired to be better, instead of breaking things off like a coward. I'm sorry it didn't work out, but if you keep looking, you'll find someone worth the wait and the heartbreak.

[@mammalfriend]

sincerely i teared up, these shots are beautiful. gasped at the “maybe next time” shot. this is insane you are a beast and so so good at everything you do. ummm part 2?????

[@shine-uy5fq]

i actually don’t think this needs a part 2. the uncomfortable feeling of regret suits well

[@ddmm496]

This came out beautifully! The little details like the hickey and the sweater added such a layer of nuance to this film. And I adored the use of 2D characters against a real-life backdrop, it reminded me of the Amazing World of Gumball.

[@butterbanna]

I ALMOST CRIED WHEN I WATCHED IT AGAIN I NOTICED WHEN HE STOOD AND LOOKED AT HER HE NOTICED THE HICKEY IM.... 😭🥺

[@s3la_d]

OMG THIS IS SO COOL! I absolutely love the mixed media aspect where the animation is over actual pictures and the vibes are so good. For me this really captures the feelings of missing a relationship that you broke off for good reason like even though it wasn't gonna work out it still hurts when it's over THIS IS SO COOL AHHH ❤❤❤❤

[@soozy910]

as someone who was cheated on, this hit hard. magnificent work.

[@maiohmaiiii]

Damn. This hit way too hard. Living with your partner after breaking up is one of the most gut wrenching things ever.

[@Китти-у8ю]

they werent even broken up :( cheated

[@RIPmercuryVODS]

as a filmmaker myself i am 20 seconds in and already in love the camera angles are so beautiful! the "maybe next time" shot!! all of this. love that the camera isnt perfectly steady. this is really well made!!

[@bigchillszn]

This is why i love youtube. Hollywood feels like it’s lost all it’s heart, but then I find somethin beautiful like this that’s so well thought out and moving that you can tell it genuinely meant something to the creator(s). Thankyou for sharing this work of art with the world.

[@gigiperez4970]

Fuuuuuuk the circling around each other. Max’s partner anxiously fidgeting in bed. The snuggling and them leaving. TOO REAL 💔

[@alexjewett7455]

Is anyone else getting iffy vibes from sonny? We don't know exactly how much time passed between the end scene and the breakup, but it can't have been that long. She doesn't come across as a very sympathetic person. I'm not calling it abuse just yet, but it's definitely a red flag.

[@fiercenunbothered]

Absolutely. Couple that with the juxtaposition between the flashback to Dini cuddling Maxine and not wanting Maxine to leave, and Sonny (I assume) not caring and leaving the bed way earlier than Maxine… Brilliant, heartbreaking storytelling

[@des-astre]

Plus… she wasn’t the cheater but she knew that Max was in a relationship, which shows her morals.

[@alexjewett7455]

@@des-astre no matter how you paint it, the picture doesn't look good.

[@incandescent.numinousity]

Ordering Maxine to “throw it out” implies a lack of open, collaborative, non-judgemental communication. Sonny could have opened a dialogue with something like “when I see you wearing that jumper I feel ‘x’ and I have thoughts like ‘y’; I’d like to have a conversation about why you wear it, how I feel when I see it, and what we can do next, together” (bonus points for each person trying to argue the other side’s position for them to understand where they’re coming from). The physical jumper isn’t the issue here but Sonny wants to believe it is and wants to control Maxine’s feelings.

[@alexjewett7455]

@@incandescent.numinousity I was looking at it more along the lines of max is clearly still hurting after the breakup, and sonny either doesn't realize, or doesn't care.

[@redtornado6741]

Dini deserved better

[@itsflyde]

This rocks! Very evocative and intimate storytelling in such a succinct format. Beautifully presented, as well. The shot(s) where she enters the bathroom and they sort of step around each other and switch positions is really good and important. COOL STUFF

[@Amanska]

Wow the storytelling was beautiful

[@lovedeadless8228]

It's so beautiful and real, it feels real and not just because of the background, the characters express emotions so impactful, the coloring matches the vibe and the background added an interesting vew, like an open scene, kinda reminds me of amazing world of gumball a bit, the camera shaking gives fluidity to the story, stunning

[@ayyoitzToko]

✨*You get what you put in stupid*✨ Now if only others could feel this

[@frolux8165]

Crazy how she's playing 2 ppl, and yet she's framed as the victim smfh

[@115zombies935]

Cheaters always seem to do that :/

[@pooplenepe59]

yeah im not proud of it but my kneejerk reaction at first was to assume the boyfriend must be abusive or controlling or something, because the tone of the short was saying that she was totally miserable and despondent, i thought the hickey was a bruise at first, took me a bit to realize what the actual plot was

[@Thelonghead]

I think victim gets thrown around ALOT. She’s not really framed as anything but a cheater who regrets what she did

[@CreativeC13]

Read the description she's not the victim this is just from her perspective

[@monicacreator3168]

@@CreativeC13 Even in the description ''20-something as she copes with the hurtful affairs she's been involved in'' It make it sounds like she's a victim of the affair instead of the one who started it

[@Lesbomania]

My favorite pass-time is watching short films made by underground creators.

[@oreocookies5846]

Admittedly, I did not understand what was happening the first time watching this. It did feel uncomfortable and sad however. After reading the comments a bit I get it now. 😅

[@TAEETIMEE]

This feels so human

[@Alright281]

Humans: oh me depresso blesso Other humans: hey maybe God and Jesus and stuff will cheer u up =D Same humans: FUCK RELIGION

[@bubbabubbapop]

Really haunting and lovely meditation on the messiness and pain of mundane life and romantic situations. Loved this piece even as it left with me with that gut-wrenching “I fucked up” knot in my stomach from the mood/tone of everything. So glad youtube randomly suggested this to me!

[@essymessy2534]

i love the blend of real life shots and animation. city of ghosts does this too. i hope this sort of mixed media animation gets more popular

[@kiamichelleee.]

Me too, I love it so much ❤.

[@ItsDiandraMarie]

This is great work. So many people said wonderful things that theres nothing left to say. Beautiful job with the camera angles, mixed media, storyline, tone, script. I hope this gets nominated and wins SOMETHING

[@emirrios4259]

My bf and i just broke up two weeks ago, and this shortfilm really touched me, you’re a great filmmaker, and thank you for doing this

[@KO-D00M]

This storytelling style is dope.

[@thewisdomofaspen3022]

I don't know why KZbin suddenly recommended this to me but it's amazing. The pacing. The voice acting. The subtlety. I can completely feel the emotions of the characters. Well done!

[@sage5530]

ive rewatched this like 3 times in a row and im still destroyed. picking up new details. im obsessed with these characters. please make this a short series.

[@nimloc1670]

Really nice to see a good fillm come out of my home state! It's simple, but relatable. I love the consideration taken into their body language and eye contact

[@elisaramirez4291]

I saw this for the first time like six months ago, and it's still on my mind. Great Work

[@PlsStandBy]

i agree w everyone else. the atmosphere here was so full even with so few words spoken. i had to rewatch it a couple times just to get the story and now that I got it, I feel in some way moved by the homemade visuals, the forlorn but very real music and how each of the characters’ stories, however subtle, were layered delicately. the storytelling was touching and authentic. It did not reveal everything at once, which I believe shows no better proof of the artists’ confidence and expertise in their creative abilities. great job!

[@DoodleBricks]

I loved that. The mixed media feel transports it to a whole other artistic dimension and gives it such a cool feel that I cannot explain. You guys did an amazing job!

[@lesterven1847]

This is a beautiful short film. The emotion is so raw, and the art style is very lovely. I was Max in the recent years. I've caused a lot of damage to someone I really love, and I destroyed something that was beautiful. I habour so much regret now. I find comfort in this video, because someone else shares this pain. This video brings me to tears. Wonderful work.

[@trashhhcat]

I love the mixed media style I haven't seen it often and it reminds me of When the Wind Blows. It's neat and really grounds the characters to reality. 10/10 good job dude

[@shadowboy2818]

that reminded me of that movie too with its mixing with real life elements and 2d animation...

[@ZafariBae]

This hit home I never was a cheater tho guys have a way of telling you they want you but don’t at the same time… all a girl wanted was to be loved

[@jetbean9157]

Interesting thing is that Max is the one who breaks up with him too since it seems like Sonny was waiting for her to do it and we cut to “you should see other people” when she starts talking

[@kliffysenpai4680]

This fckin animation is so QUALITY,I love the Space jam (for lack of terminology) style of animation overlaying drawings onto reality is cinematographic GOLD when it’s seemless! And to be so articulate with so many cuts /time skips the transitions didn’t leave me too confused even though vague! 😅 10/10 would check pt 2 😊

[@morganscanlon437]

The one scene where Max is dreaming about their ex and then wakes up and they’re gone filled me with this irrational fear that my boyfriend would be gone one day, and that the only thing I would have left of him would be a sweater and a dream of our sweetness. He’s on a trip and I miss him. I know that has nothing to do with the content of this short film. But the scene struck fear in me so deep I got goosebumps. Your art is exceptional simply based off the intent to feel isolated, not to mention the skills it takes to animate, voice act and story board something like this.

[@winnywinnarts]

The mixed medium works so well for this concept. This was amazing

[@madrice1005]

I remember watching this when it was first posted and I think I have thought about it every day since.

[@7_wd40]

So lemme get this straightened, she goes out, probably hooks up with some random pushy girl, cheating on her bf, then fast-forward...is dating the puahy girl but is missing tye bf she hurt?

[@kiamichelleee.]

That’s really how people are, they don’t know what they want and it annoys me 😒

[@swiftsea6225]

So, Maxine is an unreliable narrator. She had an affair with Sonny and Dini seems to catch on. I think her seeing the sign, means that Dini is saying, “You should see other people.” Notice that it says, “You” and not “We.” This is a big difference. It’s because Dini is saying that Maxine ruined the relationship. That’s why he is saying that “You” as in Maxine should see other people, since she cheated on him. As Max and Sonny are dating, Max keeps his sweater. It could be that she feels remorse or that she still loves him. Sonny, (after convincing Max to break up with Dini) is mad because she sees this as a sign that Max still has feelings for Dini (which is probable). Max lays back in bed and sighs in depression. This may be interpreted as missing Dini or regretting where she has gotten herself. So, in short Max cheated on Dini, Dini finds out and breaks up. Max then dates Sonny, but Max still misses Dini. Sonny is not happy, seeing as her new girlfriend is still attached to her ex. Maxine, seeing as she has gotten herself in a depressive slump, lays back in bed not knowing what the future holds. In short, the message is to appreciate what you have, because the grass is greener where you water it.

[@7_wd40]

@@swiftsea6225 I like that *claps*, it's Cinema

[@swiftsea6225]

@@7_wd40 Thanks lol! It’s amazing how you can get so much from a short film such as this LOL!

[@virg0_lem0nade]

love this!!! i've watched it several times and it blew my mind to realize: whoaaaa it's sort of ambiguous about whether Dini or Sonny is the one being cheated on!

[@slab1889]

Situation hits home. Feel like you put so much Story in a such a small amount of time that it was upsetting yet surprising but also fulfilling when it ended. Like you wanna know what happens next but probably best you don’t know but if you sat on and thought about it you could probably figure out what would/could happen.

[@aoki556]

the ending music is so spirited away and I love it

[@manyyoumas]

you know the art is good when it touches and moves you on a personal/emotional lvl. This is hard for me to watch because I just can’t stomach cheating and I can’t understand how anyone can live with themselves doing that

[@Psychologicallogix]

i just rewatched this three times, dude I LOVE the attention to detail,,, also the bonnneeeettttttt omg I love this sm.

[@eyesabovethehill]

omg im gonna be thinking about for the next few weeks. DAMN YOU CREATIVES AND YOUR AMAZING SHORT STORYTELLING!!! 😭😭😭 This is SO beautiful, from the raw emotions in the animation, to the melancholy and somber music in the bg. I am in love with this and i will be drawing these 2 cuz omg bro... 😭😭😭

[@granola-approach]

man, this is something else. kinda basks in a particular emotion, and everything seems perfectly placed to convey it. It's hard to find anything to say about it because it's hard to find anything to say about what it depicts, and in that it kind of stops being an abstraction. nice

[@cupcake_kid0129]

I love how much story and background was packed into this short. The characters are so well flushed out I feel like I’ve watched them for ages. Heart-wrenching, simple and beautiful

[@Indianmaharani]

This was recommended to me and I am so glad I cannot wait for you to get an amazing grade/score because deserves so! My favourite movie is The Worst Person In the World and perhaps the theme of our own faults is the parallel I find here in the characters. I cannot wait to see your continued success and journey keep it up!

[@zukozukami2892]

the choreography really captivates the feelings portrayed by the characters. its fits the scenes helping understand and feel what everyone is feeling, this is spectacular.

[@ron_sr1218]

I don’t know what side of KZbin I’m on and why I got here but this animation style is really cool. I might not be able to completely relate to the video but it’s still very enjoyable

[@empty_ellie7538]

i thought this video was about something completely different and now looking at the comments i’ve changed my mind but still both versions make sense

[@KMS-ts7ms]

nice film, it really seem you put a lot of time to make this animation, good work

[@lovefromrose2]

Absolutely fantastic work! From the plotting to the visuals and audio. Big fan.

[@onixiage]

I remember seeing this at Sweaty Eyeballs! it was amazing! i love the blend of life action footage and animation its so smart and adds to just..the depressive, almost defeated air that the entire short film has. It was wonderfully done

[@Blue_Bird14]

at first I didn’t notice the live footage, I guess it shows how well they blended the realistic parts and animated parts

[@bbshrimps]

I'm slow, can someone explain, please? 😭 This was just recommended and I accidentally clicked on it but just watched it anyway out of curiosity

[@swiftsea6225]

So, Maxine is an unreliable narrator. She had an affair with Sonny and Dini seems to catch on. I think her seeing the sign, means that Dini is saying, “You should see other people.” Notice that it says, “You” and not “We.” This is a big difference. It’s because Dini is saying that Maxine ruined the relationship. That’s why he is saying that “You” as in Maxine should see other people, since she cheated on him. As Max and Sonny are dating, Max keeps his sweater. It could be that she feels remorse or that she still loves him. Sonny, (after convincing Max to break up with Dini) is mad because she sees this as a sign that Max still has feelings for Dini (which is probable). Max lays back in bed and sighs in depression. This may be interpreted as missing Dini or regretting where she has gotten herself. So, in short Max cheated on Dini, Dini finds out and breaks up. Max then dates Sonny, but Max still misses Dini. Sonny is not happy, seeing as her new girlfriend is still attached to her ex. Maxine, seeing as she has gotten herself in a depressive slump, lays back in bed not knowing what the future holds. In short, the message is to appreciate what you have, because the grass is greener where you water it.

[@ReidArt]

No subtitles? 😢 Edit: thank you for adding subtitles, this was a really genuine and wrenching short film to watch and I’m really glad I got the chance to experience it.

[@yesanother4717]

Max = avoidant attachment style and his anxious attachment style, unhealed it was only a matter of time. Max will again eventually leave Sunny(not like she gave any green flag).

[@LeeSlayyy]

so impactful in such a short time,,, very well done. I especially enjoyed the atmosphere enhanced by the score in the background & appreciate how little dialogue there is while the animated facial expressions + voice acting carry so much

[@Denyahdraws]

Ahhh I remember seeing this at Sweaty eyeballs in 2022 and I loved it so much I was wondering if I’d ever see it again

[@jenn1738]

the hickey on Maxines neck made me want to die

[@Vidasinvida]

Great animation and mixed media usage! Interesting take on this kind of subject too! Pacing could use work. It’s very common for videos like these to struggle with that. I had to read the comments to understand what was happening. I didn’t even realize Max was dreaming at some point. The first half was pretty well paced, the other half was confusing due to the lack of pace. Personally not a big fan about giving sympathy to a cheater if that’s what was intended. I do like how the video was portraying a complicated and realistic approach about relationships.

[@horridnightmares1950]

I still can’t even tell what happened Then again I’m super high right now

[@Alyahsdoll]

I agree with everything you said.

[@tashibalampkin8555]

Sonny, come on now. You know Max was in a relationship when y'all started being involved. Yes, Max "chose" you in the end. But be honest, you know Max still cares for Dini.

[@pondfoam]

THIS IS FANTASTIC OMG BUT ALSO. AOUGH. MY HEART

[@VeRoku_ytb]

Animation on irl settings is one of my favorite things. Thank you for this well made short film ❤️❤️❤️

[@goose7703]

I wish i understood more ,,, havent been in many relationships so im not sure what's going on, all I know for sure is that max was clearly in a relationship with someone, but was also seeing another person in a not super solid romantic way,,, and then ,, time passes? And she still doesn't know what she wants/misses the original partner?? it's just confusing, i don't quite understand

[@sifuhotman8595]

The animation itself is great. I could do without the cheating girlfriend apologetics tho. There's no emotional complexity to cheating, you're just a selfish person. That's it.

[@alias4506]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@14thivy89]

This was good. Would like to see the back story of the characters relationships and how they got to that point.

[@dad5draco]

Them circling around each other in the bathroom gave me pain. Good job.

[@mozzapple]

can someone explain what the plot is here? I have no idea what's going on

[@EMILIBRO]

Max, the one with blue hair, is having an affair with Sunny, the person they were talking to on the phone. Their partner, the one with the purple sweater, knows but doesn't know what to say. Max is actively preparing to break up with their partner, which they do during the shot where the words "You should see other people" appear. In a dream, Max sleeps with their old partner - waking up, its revealed that they are now dating Sunny, but are still wearing the sweater that their partner used to wear. Knowing who the sweater belonged to, Sunny gets angry at Max for keeping it, and slams the door, as Max sighs and lies back in bed.

[@drippycity4135]

From what I can tell, Max (blue hair) feels guilty for seeing Sonny (red hair) behind Dini (purple bonnet)’s back. Bonus points for Sonny being annoyed that Max clearly still has feelings for Dini, given that they haven’t thrown out Dini’s sweater yet.

[@cheeseboy8241]

9961s sorry that life and human nature is complicated ig? clearly Max is reprehensible and irredeemable and a monster and deserves no empathy /s

[@TeefsFm]

​@@cheeseboy8241 well cheating is still unforgivable human nature or not

[@rubyred6608760]

@@cheeseboy8241​​⁠There’s plenty of people who have complicated lives that never end up cheating. I understand feeling empathy, but “life is complicated” isn’t an excuse. This entire film is Max facing the consequences of *her own* actions.

[@valuerie]

i really flinched when she shouted to throw out the sweater and now im welling up. this was really heavy

[@miamorrissey6230]

This really moved me. Thank you for creating this.

[@ladyolinden]

I enjoy art over photos in this sort of fashion so very much and seeing it animated is extra awesome! Beautiful work here, thank you for making and sharing it with the world in this way

[@The_VHS]

Love the animation and artstyle, and the fact you used real backgrounds too. Very nice! Also underrated channel.

[@jacobsurprise9837]

EVERYONE COME ON, 1:17!!!! He literally checks the hicky on her neck. Insane

[@Tipsy_Turby]

This is beautiful. I love mixed media bro

[@MissSchnickfitzel]

Am i supposed to feel bad for some ugly cheater?

[@shelby_rachelle.mp3]

Literally 😭😭 I don't have anything against the film itself, I think it's beautiful and very impressive, however the portrayal of cheating is kinda questionable to me lol I've seen people in the comments say stuff like "life is complicated", but if we're correct in assuming that Max straight up cheated then there really aren't any excuses. There is no sympathy for cheaters, at least for me, which makes the film kind of confusing because I can't tell if the intention was for us to feel bad for Max or not. Still a lovely work of art regardless 😌

[@Teakettle1776]

@shelby_rachelle.mp3 Yeah thats how I feel about it too. I like the animation a lot, but the message is a little confusing? Like Im sorry, but I feel more bad for the guy in purple than max. Like cheatingis bad right!?!? Ain’t that what she doing??? I don’t know. Good animation and storytelling tho. Just mixed feelings I guess 😔

[@FrancisTheBerd]

Fr mf made her bed

[@cyugen]

I don’t think we’re supposed to be feeling bad for her. Some people are shitty and that’s that, and this film hilights the fact that she regrets what she did and dwells on her mistakes but knows she can’t get back what she had before. She seemingly knows that she’s a bad person for what she did. Reminds me of bojack horseman

[@hernameiscyn]

GREAT job. I was fully engaged, and the emotional toll was so potent...

[@user-cw8xg6cp2b]

i love mixed media art, this is inspiring

[@midnightfuture]

Beautiful film, congratulations! Amazing storytelling, acting, and character animation, and I loved the mixed media feel of it. On a small technical level, have you considered dropping frames from the live action video to match the animation? It might “tie” the, together a bit more, giving the combination some more solidity. Then again, maybe you wanted a “floatiness” to underscore Max’s uncertainty. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@ElijahMonnier]

Honestly I love this weird subjective shit

[@pleasedtomeetyou1284]

“(Slow, ambient synth stabs swell on loop)” made me click but, the animation made me stay.

[@Mr.Shitpants]

Is there some context? I did not understand a thing, but ngl the mix of 2D animation with live action backgrounds slaps

[@FrancisTheBerd]

So it seems the blue haired girl and black character are dating. The blue haired girl cheated on the black guy and tried to hide it from him, he found out anyways "you should see other people". He left and now the blue haired girl reminisces about her lack of respect and the relationship she's lost, now she's dating the girl she was cheating the black guy with but it aint the same I guess

[@Mr.Shitpants]

@@FrancisTheBerd ohhhhhh yeah i get it now thx

[@Hisnitch]

​@@Mr.Shitpants Also, there's an implication that it's definitely a "grass on the greener side" where Sonny (red-head) is implied to emotionally abuse Max (blue haired) by dismissing the fact that she's still very much in love with her ex, not really care, and demand that Max fall in line with what Sonny really wants and not what Max wants. Or even worst, Sonny knows that's exactly why and is trying to snuff that out on purpose. Pretty much a "you made your bed, now lie in it" scenario.

[@vico3887]

@@Hisnitchi don’t think it’s abusive, i think it’s frustration and fear, max cheated on her partner with sonny, so why wouldn’t she cheat on sonny for someone else? by keeping a momento, sonny sees a red flag that like your going to cheat on me for that other person. Sonny is by no means innocent, willingly being with someone in a relationship because “they said they break up with them” but i don’t think she is abusive. the grass is greener is that max thought they’d be happier or have more than what they got in the last relationship, but it’s not the same and it leaves them more empty. in reality max didn’t deserve any of them and sonny needs self respect

[@mittag983]

​@@FrancisTheBerdI hope that's how my ex feels after she cheated on me with a guy. Well, she's still calling me even though he's her fianceé now. Bittersweet.

[@ABC-ek3oi]

Id binge watch a show like this, it need ice cream 😢🍨not pop corns Amazing ✨