concept + brief
Ever experienced something you couldn’t explain?
That’s what this Paranormal Explainer video dives into, using layered images, graphic elements, and animated typography to break down why certain places give off a haunted vibe. The video explores how these elements might affect us subconsciously and could even play a role in what people call “ghost evidence.”
That’s what this Paranormal Explainer video dives into, using layered images, graphic elements, and animated typography to break down why certain places give off a haunted vibe. The video explores how these elements might affect us subconsciously and could even play a role in what people call “ghost evidence.”
to write a video essay...
I had always wanted to make a motion video essay, but I could never figure out a topic. I love videos that break down complex topics into a narrative I can understand, but what topic is complex enough to be cool but simple enough to explain in only a few minutes?
a case study in motion
This project is a nod to Buzzfeed Unsolved and Watcher Entertainment, both of which were huge parts of my YouTube watching experience growing up. Their ghost hunting content struck a balance between belief and skepticism—one host is all-in on ghosts, while the other is a firm non-believer.
Unlike other shows or YouTubers, they didn’t resort to cheap stunts for views, and their motion graphics were always clean and simple, making complex stories easier to follow visually. This style inspired my approach to both the subject and the visuals in this piece.
research + digging deeper
With more time to research, I began to dig deeper into why people hold supernatural beliefs in the first place. It turns out there are actually many enviornmental factors at play when it comes to “haunted” places.
Locations such as haunted houses or grounds that people claim to feel “energy” may actually have fluctuating or stronger than average magnetic fields, or electrical fields from natural things like solar wind that influence human perception as well as electronics used for ghost hunting, such as the EMF reader.
On a less scientific note, people also use supernatural beliefs as a way of explaining things they do not understand. Also, it is universal across every culture on Earth to have scary stories warning children not to wander alone at night, as a way of keeping them safe.
Locations such as haunted houses or grounds that people claim to feel “energy” may actually have fluctuating or stronger than average magnetic fields, or electrical fields from natural things like solar wind that influence human perception as well as electronics used for ghost hunting, such as the EMF reader.
On a less scientific note, people also use supernatural beliefs as a way of explaining things they do not understand. Also, it is universal across every culture on Earth to have scary stories warning children not to wander alone at night, as a way of keeping them safe.
moodboard + inspo
Besides the motion graphics from the internet, I also wanted to pull inspiration from other spooky and nostalgic concepts. My roommate and I were playing Pokemon at the time of this project, and were inspired by the Ghost and Poison type Pokemon’s purple/dark color palette.
style frames
We were tasked with two different visual directions for our explainer video. I already had nailed down a typeface and overall visual essence - a modernized, more animated take on the true crime videos I remember.
I decided to present two ideas, one with the purple feel and one with more of a sickly, “molded over” feeling.
I decided to present two ideas, one with the purple feel and one with more of a sickly, “molded over” feeling.
major insights + what i learned
This almost 2 minute motion sequence was created using Adobe After Effects with assets from Adobe Stock. It took about five weeks to complete.
This was a five-week project, overlapping with Finals week and three other projects I had to finish up. Managing my time became a challenge—I had to figure out which projects needed attention first and how to balance everything.
It was tough juggling all the deadlines, but this experience really helped me get better at handling multiple projects under pressure. I have to credit my teacher, Larisa, for setting realistic deadlines, offering helpful tutorials, and trusting us to get the work done.
This project sharpened my time management skills, especially for motion graphics, and taught me the importance of following through on ideas, even when things get hectic.
This was a five-week project, overlapping with Finals week and three other projects I had to finish up. Managing my time became a challenge—I had to figure out which projects needed attention first and how to balance everything.
It was tough juggling all the deadlines, but this experience really helped me get better at handling multiple projects under pressure. I have to credit my teacher, Larisa, for setting realistic deadlines, offering helpful tutorials, and trusting us to get the work done.
This project sharpened my time management skills, especially for motion graphics, and taught me the importance of following through on ideas, even when things get hectic.