Heterodox Live Action and Animated Video
What does it take to spark a cultural shift in higher education? DropDrop and Think Theory traveled to Brooklyn, New York, for an in-depth interview with Heterodox Academy, an organization redefining open inquiry and intellectual pluralism on campus. Using paper-fold imagery, vibrant motion graphics, and unscripted storytelling, we brought their mission to life in a way that’s both thought-provoking and visually striking.
Video
Objective
Our vision was to craft a narrative rooted in intellectual exploration, pairing the depth of a library setting with a vibrant garden metaphor to symbolize the flowering consciousness of students. By placing HxA president John Tomasi at the center of the frame, we anchored the story in a space of knowledge while celebrating the growth sparked by open inquiry and dialogue. We thought this approach ties the imagery of blooming ideas to the mission of nurturing diverse perspectives in higher education.
Simple tools.
Thoughtful choices.
A story well told.
Tools
To capture the essence of Heterodox Academy, we leaned on two storytelling powerhouses. The Arri Alexa Mini gave us stunning cinematic visuals, bringing every detail to life—from the timeless charm of the library to the resolve etched in John Tomasi’s expression. Its precision and dynamic range made every frame a visual punchline. A black magic b-cam was used for side profile shots.
The Eye Direct took connection to the next level. It allowed Tomasi to speak straight to viewers, creating a sense of immediacy and trust that’s impossible to fake.
With a goal of keeping our footprint light, we opted to work with and enhance the natural light from the locations floor-to-ceiling windows using a few daylight fixtures. By pairing this naturalistic lighting with a set of vintage Zeiss MkII Super Speeds, we drew out some of the lenses bold and painterly qualities. These qualities can be seen in the glimmery, almost glass-like highlights on the spines of the books, and in the super subtle “cat-eye” bokeh that seperates John from the background.
Mimi Anagli | Cinematagrapher
Animation Style
Layers of Storytelling
We experimented with a paper uncrumpling animation style and stop motion backgrounds, using textured layers to give the visuals a tactile, approachable feel. Green and purple, the brand colors, were integrated thoughtfully to tie into the garden metaphor and reinforce themes of growth and connection. Placing text over color blocks and paper cutouts helped create visual clarity, while red and blue elements were used with care to reflect contrasting viewpoints in the story. These design choices were the result of a collaborative process, balancing creativity and intent to align with the narrative’s message.
I wanted to bring a sense of texture and tactility to the piece, so I photographed paper as it was folded and unraveled, then animated it frame by frame. The muted black-and-white cut-out style felt like a natural foundation, with green and purple accents adding just the right touch of energy and connection. It was all about finding simple, thoughtful ways to tell the story through movement and design.
Ryan Brady - Motion Designer
Director’s Statement
This project was shaped by a deep collaboration with Scott from Think Theory, where we crafted thoughtful questions to uncover the heart of the narrative. The library, more than a setting, symbolized knowledge and diverse perspectives, providing the perfect space for intellectual exploration and dialogue. Every creative choice was guided by a commitment to reflect the complexity of inquiry and inspire meaningful conversations.
Cassidy Bisher
Director, Editor, Color and Sound Design
Work with DropDrop
Interested in creating a video that blends creativity and collaboration? Reach out to bring your vision to life with us!
