TO THE CLASS OF US | Calarts Animated Film 2024 🎓

On high school graduation day, two friends learn how to say goodbye to the past -- and most importantly, to each other. 🎓
My second year film at Calarts! This has truly been a journey -- from the beginning to completion. This film was initially made inspired by my own, personal hardships of being able adjust to a new life in college, leaving the environment I've known my whole life behind and starting anew (which I've talked about quite a bit in my past vlogs if you've been watching my content for a while). However, throughout the process I've learned and grown so much, not only in the sense of completing my film, but most importantly, I also learned how to let go of the past -- along with my film characters throughout this film. Plus, this film even got to turn into a little high school reunion project with my friends who voice acted in the film!

高中畢業的那一天，兩位朋友學會了如何告別過去，但更重要的是，如何彼此告別。🌃

在加州藝術學院的第二年作品！這部電影最初是受我個人困難的啟發--適應在大學新生活的種種困難，離開了我一生熟悉的環境，開始全新的生活等等。但通過這個過程，不僅就是完成了這動畫片，我並學會了像我動畫中的人物一樣，如何放下過去。加上，這部電影還成為了一個小型高中同學聚會項目，我的朋友們在電影中為角色配音！（現在在做這動畫的粵語配音版--希望大家可以密切留意～）

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🌸 FILM, MUSIC and SOUND DESIGN by me!

~ 'Curtain Call' (To The Class Of Us theme) ~

'TO THE CLASS OF US' PROCESS VIDEO

🎙 VOICES
Vivian Ng voiced by ISABELLA WEI
Dawn Ha voiced by YOONG AHN
Karaoke guy voiced by CHUN KIT FONG (+additional colour help, and guitar)

🌟 Best Animated Short Nominee - Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival 2024
🌟 Honorable Mention - MY HERO International Short Film Festival 2024
🌟 Special Mention - Asia Film Art International Film Festival 2024
⭐️ Official Selection - Shanghai International Short Week 2024
⭐️ Official Selection - Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival 2024
⭐️ Official Selection - Hong Kong Kids International Film Festival 2024
⭐️ Official Selection - First-Time Filmmaker Sessions - by Lift-Off Global Network 2024
⭐️ Official Selection - YoFiFest 2024
⭐️ Semi Finalist - Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2024

🌏 Thank you to my friends Emma, Sumin, as well as members of sakudiscord Baka, Ana, Kat, Laibaaaaa, Tam, Cöökie, for helping me translate this film into multiple languages! It's really amazing to see my film being able to reach people all around the world.

💗 Special thanks to Lindsey Pollard, Robert Domingo, Kyle Shao and my film workshop classmates for all the help, advice and support. It truly means a lot. Lastly, thank you to all my friends and family who watched me grow up over the years. This film is made for you.

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🏷 HASHTAGS + KEYWORDS
#calarts2024 #calarts #animatedfilm #animation #shortfilm #animatedshortfilms animated short film / animated short / short film / animation / animation students / calarts / graduation / high school graduation

[SakuraOpalArt]

Hello!! Thank you so much for watching my second year film! 🎓✨💓
This has been an ongoing project of mine since October 2023, and I'm so happy to finally be able to share it with you all! I'm currently selling a miniartbook and keychain of the film, so please check out if you're interested!!!

If you're interested, I also just released a behind the scenes video -- In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the show~🍿^_^//

Also! I released the OST of the film on soundcloud, go give it a listen!~

[Otakuu_]

Maturing doesn’t mean that you have to let go of the things you love it simply means you have to move on

[Heartsforme.XDD.]

hi my name is Darina! I'm 10 years old and I been watching you since 2021. You inspired me to continue doing art when I didn't believe in myself. Without you, I would've quit, but your videos stopped me from doing that. Ty for cheering me up when I was down. You are the bestest youtuber EVER! Ty for everything !

[kunzine]

as someone who’s graduating this year and is fearful of the future, this short film was so comforting to me. thank you for making this! it is truly beautiful <3

[Hannahouuu]

THEY WERE WATCHING OUR TIMES IN THE BEGGINING
IT BRINGS BACK SO MUCH NOSTALGIA

[sketchtoons]

As someone who’s graduating high school this year this one hit home!!! Another amazing film in the books!!!

[rainartstudio]

my highschool has been finished a month ago....yesterday i looked at a pic of my two friends with me...suddenly remembered one already has shifted to a new city...we will no longer wear the uniform...no longer laugh all together...this video makes me wanna cry

[JustTwoSpaces]

Probably no one is going to read this, but I feel the exact same. I’m class of 2027 though so there’s still a few years to come before I graduate. Still, I’ve attended graduation every year since 7th grade, because I’m in band and the band always plays at graduation. I watched the 8th graders graduate middle school when I was in 7th grade, then I graduated in 8th grade, and this year, as a freshman, I watched all the seniors graduate high school. I saw everyone throw their caps into the air, said goodbye to some people for the last time, then it was all over. I get so apprehensive, especially about my future, mostly because that’s going to be me one day and I have no idea what I’m doing, and time is going by way too fast

[wordsmith]

0:41 I just have to say, I love the "Whisper of the Heart" reference. Hands down the BEST Studio Ghibli movie of all time!!!

This is so beautiful and incredibly heartfelt. It reminded me of my own feelings when I've had to deal with change as well. It brought back a lot of memories and that's another beautiful thing about storytelling and your short film. A good story is relatable to the audience in the way it makes us feel and you DEFINITELY did an amazing job at that.

[ellieruz]

This is really nice! From the art, the music, and even the voice acting! Great job. I loved the feels as well!

[ellieliu]

this is beautiful. i remember entering middle school and seeing the students before me graduate.. without thinking abt it. but now as im the one graduating, i feel the exact whirlwind of emotions that this animation really captured. the fear, the excitement and the hard to swallow fact that the life ive been living so far.. will become a memory and a stepping stone for the life that is ahead of me. i really liked the contrast in colour scheme between the graduating and the highschool / kindergarden memories !!!! the deep blues n warm oranges vs the pastel, carefree and innocent greens really resonated with the emotions i was feeling in each scene. it felt symbolic that even if there is change, change is also beautiful haha !! the gentle music was very comforting and the voiceovers were done so well :, ) ^_^ "i'll send you photos" hit me in the feels 😭thank you for another lovely film n amazing job <3

[Lyaha_]

stoppp this is so adorable💗and also relatble because growing is scary especially when you're making big changes
omg Saku seeing you improve over the years is so cool !
🌷🌸

[chobts_luv]

This is such a great short film, growing up is such a scary thing, having to leave friends to peruse your dreams and goals can leave you on a chokehold.But in the end people, things and aspirations come and go. But deep inside, you will never forget what memories you made and the people you have met along the way!💕🌸✨

[airabira]

I'm gratuating high school in a few months and you litteraly made me cry. You said all loud my fears and all i was thinking inside, i'll miss my friends, my classmates and high school even if i'm tired of it. My heart still hurts and i hate it... I definitly don't want to grow up.

[WinterEcho]

I'm currently at a point where the future really scares me and so does moving on from childhood... I'll graduate high school next year as well, so this hits hard... I promise to never lose my inner child, such a lovely film, thank you <3

[Hahahaha-qdfx]

I’m graduating in a couple weeks and honestly I want to cry- but for different reasons. I never really had any solid friends and i let anxiety control my entire high school life. The hardest part about graduating to me isn’t the memories I will miss, it’s the memories I have missed.

This was a beautiful animation, I wish everyone else graduating this year a wonderful future! :)

If you’re still in school and are similar to me, please, don’t let your fears or hesitation get in the way of you enjoying your school years! ❤

[Prinxess_Rose]

This is so adorable!! Graduation hits so different 😭😭💗 (This actually made me cry NOOOO 😭)

[coraliepiard]

I saw your post on YouTube and came here. This is amazing. I think you’ve pictured those emotions in such a clear and warm way. Really congrats this is amazing!! I m looking forward to seeing more of your films ❤❤❤❤ !!

[themultifacetedlady]

Awww dear ! I resonated so much with that 🥺🫶 and art wise, the warm tones of the bedroom and the two running together at the end just have my heart 🩷🌷

[BirdBrain]

For someone who grew up changing schools alot, I haven't felt this way. It's crazy this just hits me now, this is just powerful. I'm ur new sub