Make Do

Make Do is a stop-motion short film created as a thesis project during a master’s program at BAU College of Arts and Design in 2021. Developed over six months alongside co-directors Leah Blem and Fred Stanton, the film was written, directed and animated as a collaborative effort.
The story follows a child heading out on a first fishing trip alone. Small challenges quickly grow bigger, turning the day into a gentle exploration of independence and growth.
Mountains, mirrors, and motion
Soap animation on mirrors played a big role in the film’s look and came with its own set of challenges. Finding the right type of soap, stopping leaks and keeping the image readable took plenty of testing. In return the soap created beautiful, fluid movements that felt naturally water-like. These were pushed further using time-lapse composites and playful techniques such as reverse animation to create effects like rising water and flooding.
The mountain backdrop grew out of limited space and simple materials. A modular setup with wooden poles and a custom-built table allowed the mountains to shift and move.
Together, these handmade solutions shaped a world that feels alive.
Credits
Direction & Animation: Jelle Janssen, Leah Blem, Fred Stanton
Music & Sound Design: Bronwyn Nel
Selections
Ciné Motion, France (2021)
T-Short, Online (2022)
Living Skies Student Film Festival, Canada (2022)
Mecal International Short Film Festival of Barcelona, Spain (2022)
TimeLine Film Festival, Italy (2022)
ICONA, Greece (2022)
Student World Impact Film Festival, USA (2023)
Cartoon Club International Festival of Animation Cinema, Italy (2023)
Trikfilm, Czech Republic (2023)
Animafest Gdansk, Poland (2023)