Thought process Since I have been exercising or working in the creative field since I was a kid, ideas in general have always been something pleasant and exciting. At one point for me it was just a new plan to build a toy to go out and play with friends, and nowadays it’s an exciting plan for a new series of illustrations or a video to shoot. No matter how simple or complex the idea is, as long as it’s satisfying to the one that has thought of it, I guess it’s already valid. For me a big idea has been the one that does that but also works all the way through, making other people think and rethink as well as making a client happy (if it’s an idea for a client project).

A source element 350-63, Image Bank Film A finished still from Defective

Random access When I was around 15-21 years old, during conversations with people and trying to come up with new subjects to talk about, I used to imagine scenes such as bombs falling from the sky. Sounds awkward, but these thoughts would come as quick words that would appear in my head, and the word “bomb” was always one of the first ones, even though I’ve never had the desire to blow something up. Later, during different circumstances, other thoughts came up such as teeth being shaved and, more recently, an axe hitting the floor of a subway. This seems so random but they are, in a weird way, a type of pattern for me and always came to my attention when my mind was searching for an escape, something new to think about, a new “big idea.” That’s how it all came together. This video represents the pattern that I have detected where my mind searches for new ideas. In this case, the ideas never really fully materialize themselves and, in a very twisted way, they are all defective. The more joyful elements that accompany these thoughts, such as the paintbrushes and the balloon, are a metaphor for the situations in which these dark thoughts appear. They were common daily situations with no dark connotations. I think it was a nice mix.

Build it yourself Before I began, most of the scenes and their content had already been decided so it was easier to just sit and work as opposed to creating something from scratch in regards to the concept. As the project progressed and the animation began to evolve, I realized that I had created a project with a truly additive process. I could continue building endlessly, which was great because then I could work up until the last moment of the deadline. Thankfully there was an actual deadline so we had to put a stop to it at some point, but we could have gone forever.

Having access to the database of film and stills was really great. I could find literally everything I was looking for. There was only one shot that I could not get but it was a very specific angle of a subway floor, so I went and took it myself. But other than that it was a lot of fun searching for the footage. Another fun part was to work with my friend Darrin on the music. During the last hours of the deadline we were awake working together for almost 48 hours. I was in Boston and him in Seattle. It was great.

More source elements vis3000420, L Bassett/Visuals Unlimited 200020586-001, Eric Bean/The Image Bank LS006758, Arthur S Aubry/Photodisc Blue Another finished still

Three films that have inspired your work? I have always loved all of the work by the Brothers Quay, as well the music videos created by Chris Cunningham, but one of my favorite directors is Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who has shot Amelie, City of Lost Children and Delicatessen.

Converging paths I feel like there is a huge interest from graphic designers to become directors, and motion graphics in general has been a really big influence to everyone in the design scene over the last few years. What I tried to accomplish was to showcase some of the possibilities in this realm by using stock footage and stills in a very graphic manner. If The Next Big Idea were a plate of food? Chocolate cake (sugar overload).