Max Hogg

My work is driven by a passion for storytelling and the ability of animation to bring emotion and imagination to life. Through animation, I am interested in creating worlds that feel emotionally resonant and visually immersive. My graduate film “Illuminate” explores themes of childhood innocence, wonder and the temporary nature of connection. Set within a sleeping park after closing time a small duck finds himself lost in an unfamiliar world. the duck soon discovers has not alone when a glowing lightbulb sparks to life, illuminating the sleeping park one lantern at a time. Together they journey through the vast park in search of home. Forming an unlikely friendship along the way.

This film was inspired by Tivoli Gardens, a historic amusement park I regularly visited while living in Denmark. What captivated me most was not only the rides, but the enchanting atmosphere created through its architecture, lighting, and timeless sense of storytelling. The park felt alive with character and history, transforming an ordinary evening into something dreamlike. These visual influences became central to the film’s world and mood, shaping both the environment and emotional tone of the story. The film combines hand drawn 2D animation with digital compositing, throughout this project, it was important for me to capture the designed environment of Tivoli Gardens, while allowing the film to exist as its own stylised world. Through 2D animation, I was able to abstract and reinterpret familiar architectural forms, lighting, and spatial qualities into something that I hope evokes Tivoli’s sense of charm.