Life on the East Side

Hey All!

My apologies if you’ve already seen this video that I made. I wasn’t able to write a post last night due to an elections viewing/Texas Tribune anniversary party where, incidentally, I ran into a boy I formerly dated and we both acted like we didn’t see each other. I was also harassed outside by a man who stated that he was from Africa and asked if I spoke French. He did not have a detectable accent other than that of “high as a kite”, and when I asked him if he had eaten at the new and delicious African food trailer, Cazamance, owned by a lovely gentleman from Senegal, he asked me if the food was Mediterranean. I explained to him that Senegal is on the Western side of Africa and then he proceeded to walk into me and shout, “I’m chill! I’m no asshole! I just do my thing! Wait, where are you going?!”

The video below is made on the new movie-making platform, Xtranormal. I first came across Xtranormal after a Twitter follower of my former boss- a Hollywood producer- made a video about how my former boss will not accept his LinkedIn invite. It’s pretty funny, but probably funnier if you know my former boss. Then I noticed Xtranormal Geico commercials popping up on Hulu. It’s easy and fun to use!

My film is based off of a hypothetical conversation between two young women who live in East Austin- an area much like the Easts of other major cities- full of gentrification, artists, converted lofts, and trendy bars. I posted the conversation on my blog months back, but thought, “What the hell? Why not add monotonal, three-dimensional cartoons to it?” I’m surprised at the positive response it has received and have been talked into creating a short series.

I’d love your feedback!