Yutong Liu

The Seed

My animated fifilm explores the deep-seated societal expectations that shape us from a young age, especially within the context of Asian upbringing, where success is often narrowly defifined. This work is a personal reflflection on my journey from adhering to a path laid out by family and society—to pursuing art, a decision that marked my fifirst step toward living a life true to my desires, rather than one preordained by societal norms. This shift in my life inspired the animation, aiming not to critique specifific lifestyles but to invite viewers to ponder if they're living authentically or just following the expectations placed upon them. Using a blend of 2D animation and 3D modeling with a focus on subtle colors and detailed linework, I've created a surreal visual narrative that reflflects my thematic exploration of life beyond conventional success. This project is more than just an animation; it's an introspective dialogue and a call to viewers to reevaluate what a meaningful life means to them, challenging the predetermined paths and celebrating the beauty of unexpected turns in life. I hope this animation catalyzes viewers to think about their own life choices, questioning whether they are merely existing within the confifines of societal expectations, and then not forgetting to embrace the good in life. To see how the flowers bloom and the water flows. How does the sun rise, and when is the sunset. Experience interesting things, and meet unforgettable people.