The Great American* Outdoors
This project was created as part of a Department of Interior contract for the Great American Outdoors Act, celebrating the beauty and vitality of national parks across the United States. The concept was to visually construct these breathtaking landscapes before the viewer’s eyes, layering picturesque footage and imagery to highlight their richness and timelessness. Each scene begins with carefully composed parallax layers, gradually assembling to form the full landscape before transitioning into real footage of the national park. To further emphasize the enduring majesty of these parks, two versions of the project incorporate archival vintage photographs, seamlessly blending past and present. These variations serve as bumper plates, showcasing how these landscapes have remained breathtakingly beautiful through time. By combining modern visuals with historical imagery, this project serves as a tribute to the preservation and continued splendor of America’s national parks.
Client
Department of the Interior (Great American Outdoors Act)
DELIVERABLES
Animation Video Production Archival Integration Visual Design
Year
2024
Role
Animator, Visual Designer, Video Editor
Overlook Bumpers
The two vintage photograph overlooks are animated pieces that bring archival imagery of Jackstraw Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park (1956) to life. Rather than transitioning into modern footage, these iterations focus solely on the historical photographs, using animation to add depth and movement. By carefully separating elements of the original images into parallax layers, the animation creates an immersive sense of depth, making the landscape feel as though it is unfolding before the viewer’s eyes. These pieces serve as a visual bridge between past and present, emphasizing the enduring beauty of Jackstraw Mountain while paying homage to its historical significance. The gentle movement of the animated photographs evokes a sense of nostalgia while reinforcing the timeless grandeur of the national park. Designed as bumper plates, these animated overlooks highlight the resilience and preservation of America’s natural landscapes, offering a glimpse into how they have stood the test of time.
Colorado Red River
The Colorado Red River is a striking display of nature’s raw beauty, known for its vivid red rock formations and winding waters. This location was chosen for its dynamic landscape, which blends dramatic cliffs with lush greenery, offering a rich visual contrast that makes it a perfect subject for this project. The layering of the terrain in the animation highlights the depth and scale of the region, immersing viewers in the grandeur of this natural wonder.
Chugach National Forest & Chugach State Park
As one of the most expansive and diverse landscapes in Alaska, Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park offer breathtaking views of rugged mountains, dense forests, and glacial valleys. The shifting layers in this piece capture the vastness of the wilderness, reflecting the untamed beauty that defines this region. The animation emphasizes the untouched and pristine nature of Chugach, making it a standout location in this collection.
Midgley Bridge, Oak Creek Canyon
Midgley Bridge, spanning Oak Creek Canyon, was chosen for its unique and compelling composition. The bridge’s dramatic placement over the canyon creates a stunning visual contrast between man-made engineering and natural rock formations. The animation carefully layers these elements to accentuate the depth and perspective of the scene, allowing viewers to appreciate both the scale of the canyon and the intricate design of the bridge itself.
Thurmont Vista, Catoctin Mountain
As a native Marylander, I wanted to include a piece of my home state in this project. Thurmont Vista, nestled in Catoctin Mountain, offers sweeping views of the rolling forests and valleys below. The animation highlights the tranquil beauty of this region, showcasing its rich foliage and panoramic landscapes. This selection serves as a personal nod to the natural beauty of Maryland while fitting seamlessly into the overarching theme of the project.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most iconic and visually stunning features of Yellowstone National Park, known for its brilliant, multicolored waters. This location posed the greatest challenge in terms of creating seamless cutouts and transitions. To maintain the integrity of its vibrant hues and dynamic movement, I incorporated a rotating camera effect, allowing the transition to feel natural and fluid. The animation enhances the surreal quality of this geothermal marvel, drawing viewers into its mesmerizing depths.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
While not part of the United States, Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina was included as a proof of concept for how the project’s cutout-building technique could be applied to diverse landscapes. This massive ice formation, with its towering blue walls and constantly shifting structure, provided an excellent opportunity to test the animation process. The result captures the glacier’s immense presence and movement, demonstrating how this technique could be expanded beyond U.S. national parks to showcase global natural wonders.
The Great American* Outdoors
This project was created as part of a Department of Interior contract for the Great American Outdoors Act, celebrating the beauty and vitality of national parks across the United States. The concept was to visually construct these breathtaking landscapes before the viewer’s eyes, layering picturesque footage and imagery to highlight their richness and timelessness. Each scene begins with carefully composed parallax layers, gradually assembling to form the full landscape before transitioning into real footage of the national park. To further emphasize the enduring majesty of these parks, two versions of the project incorporate archival vintage photographs, seamlessly blending past and present. These variations serve as bumper plates, showcasing how these landscapes have remained breathtakingly beautiful through time. By combining modern visuals with historical imagery, this project serves as a tribute to the preservation and continued splendor of America’s national parks.
Client
Department of the Interior (Great American Outdoors Act)
DELIVERABLES
Animation Video Production Archival Integration Visual Design
Year
2024
Role
Animator, Visual Designer, Video Editor
Overlook Bumpers
The two vintage photograph overlooks are animated pieces that bring archival imagery of Jackstraw Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park (1956) to life. Rather than transitioning into modern footage, these iterations focus solely on the historical photographs, using animation to add depth and movement. By carefully separating elements of the original images into parallax layers, the animation creates an immersive sense of depth, making the landscape feel as though it is unfolding before the viewer’s eyes. These pieces serve as a visual bridge between past and present, emphasizing the enduring beauty of Jackstraw Mountain while paying homage to its historical significance. The gentle movement of the animated photographs evokes a sense of nostalgia while reinforcing the timeless grandeur of the national park. Designed as bumper plates, these animated overlooks highlight the resilience and preservation of America’s natural landscapes, offering a glimpse into how they have stood the test of time.
Colorado Red River
The Colorado Red River is a striking display of nature’s raw beauty, known for its vivid red rock formations and winding waters. This location was chosen for its dynamic landscape, which blends dramatic cliffs with lush greenery, offering a rich visual contrast that makes it a perfect subject for this project. The layering of the terrain in the animation highlights the depth and scale of the region, immersing viewers in the grandeur of this natural wonder.
Chugach National Forest & Chugach State Park
As one of the most expansive and diverse landscapes in Alaska, Chugach National Forest and Chugach State Park offer breathtaking views of rugged mountains, dense forests, and glacial valleys. The shifting layers in this piece capture the vastness of the wilderness, reflecting the untamed beauty that defines this region. The animation emphasizes the untouched and pristine nature of Chugach, making it a standout location in this collection.
Midgley Bridge, Oak Creek Canyon
Midgley Bridge, spanning Oak Creek Canyon, was chosen for its unique and compelling composition. The bridge’s dramatic placement over the canyon creates a stunning visual contrast between man-made engineering and natural rock formations. The animation carefully layers these elements to accentuate the depth and perspective of the scene, allowing viewers to appreciate both the scale of the canyon and the intricate design of the bridge itself.
Thurmont Vista, Catoctin Mountain
As a native Marylander, I wanted to include a piece of my home state in this project. Thurmont Vista, nestled in Catoctin Mountain, offers sweeping views of the rolling forests and valleys below. The animation highlights the tranquil beauty of this region, showcasing its rich foliage and panoramic landscapes. This selection serves as a personal nod to the natural beauty of Maryland while fitting seamlessly into the overarching theme of the project.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most iconic and visually stunning features of Yellowstone National Park, known for its brilliant, multicolored waters. This location posed the greatest challenge in terms of creating seamless cutouts and transitions. To maintain the integrity of its vibrant hues and dynamic movement, I incorporated a rotating camera effect, allowing the transition to feel natural and fluid. The animation enhances the surreal quality of this geothermal marvel, drawing viewers into its mesmerizing depths.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares
While not part of the United States, Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina was included as a proof of concept for how the project’s cutout-building technique could be applied to diverse landscapes. This massive ice formation, with its towering blue walls and constantly shifting structure, provided an excellent opportunity to test the animation process. The result captures the glacier’s immense presence and movement, demonstrating how this technique could be expanded beyond U.S. national parks to showcase global natural wonders.