Meet Exyl | Filmmaker, Animator, Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Exyl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Exyl, why did you pursue a creative career?
I kind of fell into it accidentally. I kept telling myself “oh I’m just doing this for fun, I’ll do something else when I grow up”, and then I just never “grew up”.

I went to art school thinking I was going to do graphic design and get a corporate job (didn’t happen), and then went into film thinking I was going to eventually work in a studio (didn’t happen), and now am an independent filmmaker, living without all the safety nets I thought I needed.

I guess I was just stubborn and unwilling to compromise at each stage of the game, which eventually led me to where I am now.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m excited about how I think about my work as positioned in between gallery-space installation and black box narrative animation. I love a story, and I love hearing stories, but there’s also a part of me that really loves the materiality of the process, and doesn’t want to have it be subsumed under the flat image.

I’m excited to help in what I see is a shift in the world of animation towards something that defies easy consumption, but also still rewards a patient observer.

I think there’s a lot of inequality in the art and film world. It could have been a lot more challenging to get to where I am today if not for the support of my parents. Festival submissions, BFAs, equipment, even time all cost money, and if I didn’t have my parents who could support me while I worked for my film, I may not be where I am today. At the same time I also know friends who have much less, and are determined to make it work no matter what. It’s a myth that only people with financial support can make art, but it definitely makes the path less arduous.

I think the most important lesson I’ve learnt is resourcefulness. There’s never enough time, or enough skill, or enough materials. You have to make the most of what’s available, and how each person solves problems will make that work their own.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Where I live? In Providence? Hm, well I’m going to AS220 for a production of Rocky Horror tonight, which I’m very looking forward to. They always have something on. I’d bring them to 1911, or Lost Bag. Maybe I’ll bring them to kink night on Wednesdays at the bar above Ego? Or go for a hike at Snake’s den?

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think all the teachers and professors who’ve shaped the way I think, see, make. I’ve had so many incredible professors over the years. From high school to college, I’m particularly lucky to have had so many guiding voices.

Specifically- Mr Chia and Ms Ng, Africanus, Amy, Bryan, Max, Steve, Gina are all teachers whose words I still think of today.

Website: exyl.space

Instagram: @exu.de