Synopsis
The story follows a young Vietnamese girl, born and raised in a Western country, who struggles to cope with the loss of her beloved grandmother. She can’t seem to move on and often hallucinates that her grandmother is still alive.
One day, while visiting her grandmother’s room, she is shocked to see the necklace her grandmother used to wear shaking and jumping out of its box on its own. Suddenly, she feels a strange energy emanating from the necklace.
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A few days later, while on a school trip, she encounters a giant monster. As fear grips her, she feels that magical energy once again. In an instant, she is transformed into a magical girl, wearing an Ao Dai — the traditional Vietnamese outfit — and wielding a magical staff. Using her newfound divine powers, she defeats the monster and saves her friends.
​Crew
Animation, Music, Sound Effects and else: Don Ngoc Quy Doan
Background assistants: Tsz “Zoe” Wing POK
​Reflection words
After completing this project, I feel that I have grown significantly in both technical and creative aspects, especially in the field of animation. This assignment gave me the chance to push my skills further and truly immerse myself in the process of animated filmmaking. Through hours of practice and exploration, I’ve become much more confident in using animation software. Tasks that used to take me a long time now feel more natural, and I’ve developed a better workflow, which has made the creative process more enjoyable and efficient.
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More importantly, this project helped me enhance my understanding of motion, camera angles, and visual effects. I started thinking more critically about how movement influences storytelling, and how to use different camera angles to emphasize emotion or action. These are things I used to overlook, but now I find myself analyzing scenes with a new perspective. My thinking has evolved—not only about how to animate, but also why certain choices work better for the audience experience.
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One of the most exciting parts of this project was the opportunity to experience the induction process for voice recording. It was my first time stepping into this side of production, and I was fascinated by how much voice and sound design contribute to the overall feeling of a film. Being able to witness and participate in the recording process gave me a new appreciation for the audio side of animation. I also had the privilege of working alongside graduate assistants and music students. Collaborating with them opened my eyes to how different departments can work together to create a more unified and expressive final product. It was a truly valuable learning experience, and I believe it helped me improve my teamwork and communication skills as well.
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I want to express my sincere gratitude to Steven, Johnathan, and Sam for their guidance and support throughout the entire process. Each of them brought something unique to the project, and their feedback helped me view my work from different angles. I’m also incredibly thankful for the help and kindness of Zoe and Amy Chrystal, who supported me a lot and made the process smoother and less stressful. Their assistance meant a lot to me, especially during the more challenging parts of the project.
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Overall, this animation project was not only an opportunity to improve technically, but also a journey of personal growth. I learned how to push through difficulties, think more deeply about visual storytelling, and collaborate more effectively. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited to carry these skills and experiences into future projects. This was a challenging but very rewarding experience, and I’m truly thankful for everyone who helped me along the way.
