CatOS

cat day

cat day is a simple short film where i follow a cat around on campus (and contemplate its life). i'm actually allergic to cats, but they've always had a special place in my heart. i love how they just sit and vibe and enjoy the world with their little bodies tucked into loaves and running around weeds. they remind me not to take life so seriously, and to find joy in the little things.

about the film

the film was shot on my iphone (as you can tell from the shaky camerawork) in thirty minutes in comm lab with dr. evi mansor. it was really fun! i had the idea of using a poem in mind as i was filming, but i wrote the poem after taking all the shots, just so i knew that i would have enough footage for every verse. i also tried to take things from a lower perspective to simulate a cat's point of view.

thoughts for the future

i think i did a pretty good job given the constraints, but if i could redo this in the future, i might not go with the poem idea. (it's a little embarrassing!) i would also try and make the audio a bit more clear, loud, and well-mixed with the background music. maybe the next iteration would be more like a study vlog, cat pov? the possibilities...

cat day: the poem

When I get tired of our little campus
And find its halls too somber gray
I take a note from my favorite author
And follow a cat around for the day

An ordinary countertop 
Becomes the perfect spot to stretch and sniff
The floor becomes a detailed pattern
And the world my own game of what if

I see the world from their point of view
From the vantage point of one foot tall
Even dirt becomes a treasure trove
For one who is so quick and so small.

With fresh new eyes I find joy in the weeds
And inspect this box of rodent bait?
I meet a friend and join him for lunch 
On his version of a d2 date.

Navigation is still obviously a challenge
But I doubt cats ever lose their way
They have all the time to scratch and sniff
And even more time to watch us go about our day

It’s a big world out there for a little cat
But I’ve got the sense that they’ll be just fine
They’ve got their own world of endless curiosities
But to be fair, I’ve also got mine.