Come Back to What You Know (2024)

This short animation explores creator James Marquez's experiences of being groomed online happening concurrently with his discovery of his gender identity. With the hazy visuals of his vacant, unfamiliar childhood theme park, the ghosts of his past and present self reclaiming the agency once taken from him, his short film is one of catharsis and retribution.

Director Biography - James Yvaliss Marquez

Director Biography - James Yvaliss Marquez

James Marquez is a Puerto Rican 2D animator proficient in video editing, post-production, and storyboarding. Beginning his artistic journey in 2010, he learned to animate on a Nintendo DSi, securing his present-day expertise in character animation and lip-syncing. Taking influence from 1990s UK bands like Oasis and Supergrass, he uses animation as an outlet to explore his transition into adulthood as a member of the LGBT community.

Please tell us your motivation for making your film:

My motivation for making this film was to receive true closure on my traumatic experiences growing up. I always set what happened to me aside or left it within conversations with my therapist, but I never truly grappled with what I went through. I thought using animation to recount my experiences being groomed and realizing I was transgender in an abstract, surreal way would allow me to process my feelings without retraumatizing myself.

What is the theme of your submission?:

Catharsis, closure, retribution, reclamation.

What was the message you wanted to convey with this project?:

For the viewer, who may or may not be a survivor or grooming or a member of the LGBT community, to find hope and freedom regardless of their circumstances. That things will turn out okay no matter what. That you will become the adult your child self needed.

Any further comments about your submission:

This has been the most liberating and enjoyable animation I've made (so far). I cannot wait to share this with the world.

Credits:

James Yvaliss Marquez

Director

James Yvaliss Marquez

Producer

James Yvaliss Marquez

Storyboarding

James Yvaliss Marquez

Animation

James Yvaliss Marquez

Post-Production

Lily Reyes

VHS Transfer

Amber "Torchkas" Hermsen

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Specificaitons:

Project Type:

Animation, Student, Short

Genres:

Music Video, Short Film, Experimental, Narrative

Runtime:

2 minutes 40 seconds

Completion Date:

March 19, 2024

Country of Origin:

United States

Country of Filming:

United States

Language:

English

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Film Color:

Color

First-time Filmmaker:

No

Student Project:

Yes - Montserrat College Of Art

https://www.youtube.com/@jcmarquezart