Artist Statement

Invasive species play a big role in the dynamics of our modern-day environments, and my video is meant to exhibit the roles of these creatures in a personal and comprehensive manner. Stylistically, the project is heavily influenced by the likes of many of the campy 1990’s educational films that my senior class has come to know and love. I feel that this is an effective way to display the information, because it allows for a lot of creative ways to show off otherwise tedious facts and figures. The video was made using a variety of computer programs and exhibits animation, green screen effects, sound design, and digital editing. While I did have some trouble finding a balance between quirkiness and scientific relevance, I feel that the data presented is impactful enough to make viewers consider the origins of the plants and animals around them. Focusing in on our hometown was a great tool for emphasizing the issue’s importance. Being such a large and diverse city, San Diego is home to many non-native living things, so regardless of your lifestyle, you will almost certainly encounter some of these pests on a daily basis. This topic affects every one of us, whether we realize it or not, and if precautions are not put in order soon, our entire ecosystem could crumble.