[projects]
[SS24]
Dear Mom

//an AI film Runway AIFF

Los Angeles, CA
//Runway’s 2024 AI Film Festival Finalist and Merit Winner among 3,000 applicants 
[go AIFF]

Dear Mom is a letter from a daughter to her mom imagining if she had met her mom at her own age—20 years old. The film is about unconditional love and gratitude written through a reflective and personal letter from the filmmakers to their moms.








[credits]
[film]
created and prompted by 
katie luo + johans.



[technical]
[software]
Runway ML
Processing
After Effects
Premiere Pro
Ableton





[out & about]
[screened]
Runway AIFF 2024


Flux Festival 2024

USC SCA Parent’s Weekend

USC + Google AI Makeathon
Orpheum Theater
Metronome Theater

USC School of Cinematic Arts

USC School of Cinematic Arts

Google Headquarters
Los Angeles, CA
New York City, NY

Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA

Santa Monica, CA

[awards]
Runway AIFF 2024
Merit Prize
International




[related]
[field_notes]
on AI as of now
cut-up techniques
visual design: Dear Mom
manifesto
research_paper
research_paper
[FW24]
[SS25]
[FW24]

[projects]
Lucid Futures

AI documentary animation
[FW24]






[writing]

Katie and I intended to make this short for Runway’s GEN:48; however, after a silly time zone confusion, we submitted late. 

The first day we met we talked about putting together something that would mean something to each other and that was thoughtful yet abstract. We then came to the idea of writing letters to our mothers wondering what it would be like to meet them in our time, at the same age. We merged and edited our letters together to adjust the flow to our taste.





[gen]



After writing the letters, we used a table to separate sections of the letter and describe how we wanted each part to look and transition between scenes. This approach greatly aided us in prompting, seeking inspiration, and editing.





Immersing ourselves in the depths of SCIL105, our computer lab, we began generating content and scavenging for images and found footage to use as prompts or to composite with our initial creations. 

















This thorough and methodical process allowed the complex imagery to achieve its final appearance.














Katie has been developing and experimenting with this technique in her schoolwork for several classes we took together. Her attention to detail and curiosity led her to merge 3D renders, motion graphics, and found footage into AI abstractions, dynamically transforming the image and creating a unique look.






















Her expertise, combined with my passion for texture and degraded footage, made working on this project both satisfying and enjoyable.

Although we have been friends for years and have collaborated on a few projects, this piece marked a significant moment in our friendship and collaboration. It truly reflects our shared skills and values in both areas.

































I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have you









//born in Moyobamba, Peru
//based in Los Angeles, CA

[work]



[field_notes]




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[SS25]