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The Aquarium

This video was created in cinemagraph style. The surreal world in which the character is inhabiting is a careful combination of hand built elements and digital composition. Inspired by the Morgan Greer tarot deck, Aquarium features a woman who is stagnant, like in a dream where you are trying to run but feel like you are wading through water. Filled with symbolism, both visually and lyrically, Aquarium by Marielle Allschwang, Directed by Heather Hass leaves questions for the viewer to think on, or hopefully, ponder while they watch again. Our character was built into each set and positioned just so, remaining still while filming, to create this living sculpture.

  • Heather Hass
    Director
  • Heather Hass
    Writer
  • Marielle Allschwang
    Writer
  • Heather Hass
    Producer
  • Marielle Allschwang
    Producer
  • Marielle Allschwang
    Key Cast
  • David Szymanski
    Cinematographer
  • Don Ford
    Cinematographer
  • Diana Ehlers
    Costume Design & Props
  • Erika Herman
    Set Design
  • Shawn Stephany
    Set Design
  • Nathaniel Heuer
    Set Design
  • Adam Krause
    Set Design
  • Gina Barrington
    Make-up & Hair
  • Diana Ehlers
    Make-up & Hair
  • Heather Hass
    Make-up & Hair
  • Marielle Allschwang
    Make-up & Hair
  • Heather Hass
    Post Production
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Music Video
  • Runtime:
    3 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 10, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    200 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Heather Hass

Heather Hass is a director/animator/videographer producing videos in the industry since 2008. Although Heather works in the commercial industry by day, she keeps on her experimental toes by creating music videos for friends or musicians she admires. Although her roots are in Milwaukee, Heather has recently moved with her family to NYC to take a bite of that apple.

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Director Statement

I first approached Marielle about this video a couple years ago. I really wanted to work on the cinemagraph technique that I was seeing here and there on models, primarily with just a piece of clothing moving while the model was still. I thought it would be quite the haunting effect to have everything still but the singer moving their mouth. Marielle and I did a few tests with David, the main Videographer, and once we knew this effect could be achieved, we set to it. There was no budget, save for the few at-cost things we needed to build, sew, assemble. I asked friends to create things that they never had made before, but knew they could, and it was through their gracious help and time that we were able to produce such quality at such a low price. Transfer Pizza even fed us on our long shooting days, and Speckled Chemistry Studios allowed us to work for free in their space. I will be forever grateful for everyones time and efforts, and for Marielle and her endurance while she held difficult positions time and again.