Personal Statement
Animation is more than just a form of entertainment; it’s a medium capable of transporting audiences to extraordinary worlds and evoking profound emotions. Inspired by the innovative storytelling of Love, Death & Robots and the raw energy of Krinkels’ ‘Madness’, I aspire to create animated narratives that resonate deeply with my audience.
My artistic approach is characterised by commitment to authenticity. I believe in the power of unfiltered expression and strive to imbue my work with genuine emotion. Animation is a limitless canvas capable of exploring themes and concepts unattainable in other mediums. I envision myself contributing to this exciting field by crafting new universes, characters and storylines that entertain, inspire, and challenge audiences in a relatable and immersive way.
My academic background in Design and Technology has equipped me with essential technical skills and a creative approach to ideation. A keen interest in creative writing has honed my ability to craft compelling narratives. My VET Entertainment Industry course has provided valuable insights into practical aspects of filmmaking such as lighting, audio and staging, which I am excited to incorporate into the medium of animation. I am eager to expand my skillset and master the technical aspects of animation to bring my creativity to life.
JMC’s Bachelor of Creative Arts (Animation) was obvious given my passions. This program offers the perfect blend of artistic exploration and academic breadth. I am drawn to the opportunity to utilise industry standard technology and processes, and learn from professionals in the scene of animation, all of which will enrich my understanding of storytelling and creating worlds.
Traveling from Port Macquarie to visit different tertiary opportunities, JMC felt like my creative home and the next step to harnessing my potential. The possibility of collaborating with students from other creative disciplines is both exciting and something I eagerly anticipate.
I possess a strong work ethic, relentless curiosity, and a passion for storytelling. These qualities, coupled with my determination to master new skills, will undoubtedly contribute to my success as an animation and moving image student.
I am eager to engage in the dynamic environment at JMC and contribute to the academy’s rich artistic scene. Thank you for considering my application.
Piece #1 of 6: Poem – ‘Race’
I wrote ‘Race’ in June of 2024. I’d been spending large amounts of time driving to clear my head since getting my P1 license and ‘Race’ is the result of that. A combination of emotional reflection and creative inspiration, this writing acts as a fundamental basis for a potential project.
It is at one hundred and fifty kilometres per hour, five thousand RPM, do I feel it.
The hand of death, reaching out with its cold embrace.
In this race against myself do I face down the force that ends it all.
My heart is pounding, and I reflect as the wind cuts into me, the snappy cold air awakening me.
My mind races through each and every memory, finding where it’s all gone wrong.
I feel myself running, running away from my problems, trying to get away from the struggle, even if it means losing all that I love, sacrificing these blessings for a moment of relief.
I press harder on the accelerator, the engine roaring, my eyes burning with tears.
All the promises of safety, all my reassurance that I’ll stay alive, they flood me, pulling at me to a standstill.
My people’s voices call to me, their love clearer than ever.
My family as I hear their cries at the casket, their tears of pain, wondering where they went wrong.
I see my friends, wishing they saw me, wishing they did more.
I see it all as I come to the brink.
But they have no fault in this, for it is none but my own.
But I’m done running.
I promised myself that I’d face this life with what I can, and keep those I love safe, those I value happy.
I slam on the brakes, jerking death back into the abyss from which it came.
I can hear my best friend’s voice, my father’s tears of relief, my mother’s embrace, my sister’s knowing gaze, my brothers in arms hands.
This race is one that we cannot win, but we can go as long and as hard as we can.
I hope that when death comes for us, it’ll find us alive.
Embrace those who keep you in it, for when death comes to take your hand, who’ll be the last on your mind?
Piece #2 of 6: Sketch – Character Design
I realised in November of 2023 that my drawing skill was an untapped resource. I had spent my childhood sketching and decided to try my hand at it again. I had this idea for a potential character. The story is yet to be told, yet the potential uncovered is limitless.
Piece #3 of 6: Sketch – ‘Eye of the Beholder’
This piece was the result of an idea dump in early 2024. I wanted to see the skill to which I could recreate an idea I’d had. Spending 8 hours across several sessions, I created ‘Eye of the Beholder’. The runes translate to ‘Death is not a force that waits’.
Piece #4 of 6: Joint Piece – ‘Prisoner’
I created ‘Prisoner’ over 6 months in 2023/24, with the original drawing created in 2023 as a statement for men’s mental health and the writing in June of 2024. ‘Prisoner’ comes from the name of the incorporated poem, which perfectly encapsulated the emotion portrayed in the sketch in written form.
Piece #5 of 6: Design Poster – Mobile Solar Array Phones
Assigned February 17th and completed March 3rd of 2023, my Mobile Solar Array design poster is one of my proudest projects that showcases creativity and technical processes. Completed as a Y11 Design and Technology assessment, it remains a showcase of my creative and technical potential.
Piece #6 of 6: Folio – Excerpt from Design & Technology Major Work
My Y12 Design and Technology Major Work has been a project which has taught me valuable skills in recording progress and adjusting based on evaluations. While not the greatest showcase in creativity, the project has given me a good introduction into technical skills in the creative process that are pertinent.
I am eager to engage in the dynamic environment at JMC and contribute to the academy’s rich artistic scene, undertaking a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Animation). Thank you for considering my application.
Please contact me at:
Quinlan Reid
quinlanjreid@gmail.com
0450 440 634