Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/565118
3 2 0 1 5 E D U C AT I O N & R E C R U I T M E N T S P E C I A L "I didn't have time to do smooth, polished animation in every shot," he explains. "It worked well with the look of the film, too – I wanted it to look like an illustrated storybook – and it was a huge time-saver! It was also more fun to work with that rough style of animation anyway." Looking back, Rayner didn't expect that writing a story would be so hard. "I had a lot of assistance with it from my friends and professors, who helped me work on the structure and narrative," he says. "And I couldn't believe how long animation takes. The short film project took three-quarters of the year, which included the initial writing over the summer." This was done amid Rayner's schoolwork from other classes. Among the more valuable lessons Rayner learned as a result of the project was to make the process enjoyable. Also, he learned quickly that he could not do it all by himself. Creating "My Big Brother" was a motivating experience, according to the young filmmaker. "It definitely raised the standards I set for myself and encouraged me to work harder," he says. "I am hoping it will be a boost to my confidence." The experience gained from "My Big Brother" helped open doors for Rayner in the industry. Upon graduation, he began working as a freelance animator and illustrator at Encyclopedia Pic- tura (San Francisco) on music videos. Meanwhile, "My Big Brother" is still making the festival rounds. "I would love to keep making short films, and I am tossing ideas around in my head," Rayner says. Still, Rayner understands the huge com- mitment and assistance that another proj- ect like "My Big Brother" would require. "It was such a huge learning process. There is so much that goes into making something successful. Scheduling and producing a short was a major eye-opener, and I am so thankful to all those who helped me – class- mates, professors, family members who I constantly bounced ideas off of." And, lastly, the influence of two older brothers on Rayner's earlier and, now, professional life, which was more impactful than he could ever have imagined. ■