Zachary Howatt Storytelling

01/05/2024

Sample sunny days.

29/04/2024

It doesn't look like this in Minneapolis today (the rain is a bummer), but don't you wish it did?

This color grade is tasty. Including the sky in video can be tricky, especially with atmospheric perspective and ambient blue light forcing a flat image. I wanted to see how varied I could get the color profile without over-saturating the image. The result is full of summer vibes.

17/04/2024

Here's a demo of my process for color grading the Witch's Hat Water Tower. It's kind of therapeutic, spending time to get the right look.

15/04/2024

Take a breather.

Featuring the Witch's Hat Water Tower in Prospect Park, Minneapolis.

10/04/2024

🔵 o n e c o l o r 🔵

08/04/2024

How do motion graphics help get your point across to your audience?

DMM Productions recently produced a video for TrustPoint highlighting annuities and mutual funds. I joined the project to animate an infographic to help them visualize what a "step-up in basis" means for a mutual fund account owner.

Check it out for yourself. Does it help make the financial mumbo-jumbo easier to understand? ;)

You can see more from Zachary Howatt Storytelling on my page or on instagram:

06/03/2024

👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

Director Zachary Howatt, whose short "The Site of Unsure" was named Best Experimental Film at the 2024 Fargo Film Festival, will be in attendance.

The movie screens as part of the Thursday, March 21 evening showcase. Tickets are on sale now.

https://fargofilmfestival.org/

04/03/2024

Here's a SNEAK PEEK of the title and credit sequence for - Short Film. I had a blast making this one.

Premiering at Z-Fest April 26-28 at St. Michael Cinema 15. Hope to see you there!

20/02/2024

I was invited to animate the title and credit sequence for this upcoming horror short, "Collette," premiering at Z-Fest in Minnesota! (We hope to see you there!)

Casen Sigel took some awesome BTS photos of the set in Lake City. Here are some of my favorites.

Follow Collette - Short Film for updates!

14/02/2024

A simple test clip for this Wednesday.

12/02/2024

While I was experimenting with the Ho99o9 logo reveal in last week's video, I made this ghostly wispy transition. I think I'll use it for something else this week...

08/02/2024

"Knuckle Up" by Ho99o9

I've been a fan of ("horror") since they appeared on Visions of Bodies Being Burned with clipping. Here they serve as my muse for an editing/ animation experiment. I loved the process so much, now I have to make more.

07/02/2024

I can't wait to post this short lyrics edit! The video keeps looking better and better.

31/01/2024

23/01/2024

What if you could take your old photos, videos, and tapes of family members who have since passed...
..And transform them into a mini-documentary to commemorate their presence in your life?

Well, you can!

Most of us already film our weddings and special events, but we could do more to preserve our memories. With the accessibility of photos and videos these days, we should be taking the opportunity to honor our loved ones in much the same way that we honor newlyweds. Why not create an audio-visual chronicle for your children and grandchildren to look back on?

With a cassette tape interview and physical photos transferred to digital, I was able to assemble a video that delves into the life of Stanley Popko and the family tree that he helped grow. Here's a taste.

Learn more about how you can transform your memories at www.zacharyhowatt.com/connect

17/01/2024

ANIMATORS! Here's an opportunity you don't get every day—

Nouns Fest is offering an up-front payment of $7,500 for 38 animators to create shorts for their next festival. Applicants are chosen as they come in, so get those gears working and pitch your idea at the link below!

https://nounsfest.tv/apply/short-shorts/

16/01/2024

I couldn't be happier to announce that "The Site of Unsure" has been awarded Best Experimental Film at the 2024 Fargo Film Festival. Thank you to the judges, and thank you to Fargo for building a community that honors the arts. FFF always turns out to be a phenomenal festival. I'm looking forward to seeing all the great filmmakers on display this March 19-23!

I must take this opportunity to honor the memory of Mary Graf Howatt ❤️ I wish she could be here to celebrate with me. Do something creative and supportive in her honor today.

08/01/2024

It's so cool hearing about the inspiration and meaning behind the creative endeavors of diverse Minnesotan writers. Check it out!

"MPR News host Angela Davis revisits a conversation from last year she had with two Minnesotans of color about their paths to knowing and loving themselves and how to teach that to children.

"They’ve both written children’s books to help kids feel like they belong and have a voice."

Growing up is tough, but even more so when you feel like you don’t fit in. Hear two Minnesotan children’s authors of color talk about their paths to knowing and loving themselves — and how to teach that to children.

03/01/2024

More text animations based on fruit.

#2– POMEGRANATE

20/12/2023

I edit social media reels, too!

Follow on instagram and watch her interview fine jewelry designer Gretchen Ventura in a new video that Amy Sundby Jeanchaiyaphum and I made for her YouTube account:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aQuagiZd8w

13/12/2023

A powerful display has just opened at Public Functionary in Northeast Minneapolis:

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/12/09/bear-witness-exhibit-opens-at-minneapolis-art-gallery

An art installation previously used in pro-Palestine protests is getting a home for the next few weeks at an art gallery in Minneapolis.

12/12/2023

Even though I grew up in rural North Dakota, I never really got the chance to talk to the farmers in the region. Editing member interviews for Northarvest Bean Growers Association has given me a huge appreciation for the work our farmers do.

11/12/2023

It was so rewarding to produce and edit a mini documentary for the 140th anniversary of Doar, Drill & Skow. The law firm in Northwestern Wisconsin has a rich history of advocating for justice—from blazing a path for racial desegregation 50+ years ago, to protecting clients from on-the-job injuries today. Take a few seconds to enjoy this clip!

06/12/2023

When I meet with clients, my aim is to discuss the best way to show and tell the story of their operation. The ideal outcome is for them to show up and speak up for themselves in their video. But those who are less inclined to "take the stage" have trouble believing they have what it takes to deliver their own message. I chalk it up to a lack of coaching and, more than anything, a lack of confidence.

Josh Campbell's TEDx talk explores the topic of storytelling and gives several helpful and reassuring tips for sharing your story with your audience. Check it out!

https://youtu.be/iV0M5l5KhnE?feature=shared

You will have to tell a story in your lifetime. Be ready with these tips from a professional storyteller. Josh Campbell is a professional storyteller from Me...

04/12/2023

I'm in the middle of creating a series of text animations based on fruit.

#1– JACKFRUIT

29/11/2023

I love resources that allow for a community of artists to come and share their work. My friend has been working on a website, Pans Art, to showcase blog posts, art for sale, and art for the sake of art. YOU can contribute, too! Check it out at the address in the comments below!

08/07/2022

I just realized "Cobwebs" hit its one year anniversary last month! It's wild coming back to see what Sid and I came up with on our downtime while making our respective thesis films. Give a hand to these actors, to the musicians—to everyone involved in this. It was a lot of fun :)
https://youtu.be/s3P8maiFizc

(If anyone wants to make a short film with me when I move to St. Louis Park MN this August, PLEASE, dear GOD, hit me up! I've been dying to work off a screenplay again...)

"It was just this weird dream..."In this surreal and horrific take on the love triangle, Nomi and Lea begin to suspect the other of having feelings for Lea's...

07/07/2022

Check out some of my previous short stories on my blog site:

Creative Writing by Zachary Howatt | Horror, SciFi, Fantasy, Weird Fiction, and Realistic Fiction | love, jealousy, loneliness, fear, and hope | Please leave a comment and share with your friends!

07/07/2022

Without the Red Raven, there wouldn't have been FISSURE. Please pay them a visit before they move shop. Then visit them frequently after they have their new setup!!! And tip generously!!!

06/07/2022