ABOUT ME
My name is Cami Kwan.
I am a queer Chinese-American director, producer and animator who has worked in the stop motion industry since 2016. My passion is creating animated shows for young audiences that promote diversity, joy, and socio-emotional learning.
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I decided to pursue stop motion animation because of how deeply human it is.
In the dawning age of artificial intelligence, handmade art has become one of the most truly human forms of expression. Audiences can tell when something has been made by human hands, and the magic that comes with recognizing the materials moving on screen (and knowing that they shouldn't be moving!) is unparalleled at connecting with an audience's hearts.
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In 2016 I met my business partners Max Lopez and Sean Malony, and together we teamed up to start our independent animation studio, Apartment D. We have been running Apartment D full time since 2019.​
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My proudest achievement with Apartment D has been the environment of collaboration, kindness and respect that we have cultivated in the studio. The quality of life that we have been able to provide our crew, as well as the opportunities for personal and creative growth, is one of the most meaningful things I've ever achieved.
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The projects that I find most fulfilling are the ones that center diverse characters and perspectives. My specialties include Asian-American and LGBTQIA+ perspectives, as both draw heavily from my own life and experience.
I also enjoy projects that focus on emotions and education, especially with young audiences in mind.
As a director, I prioritize communication, collaboration, respect and empathy with my crew. In my career working in the stop motion industry, I have experienced all aspects of animation production, from machining armatures and fabricating puppets and sets, to pre-production and animation, which makes me uniquely qualified to direct all aspects of the creative process.
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I also have extensive experience as a producer, and running a studio has given me a deep respect for the business side of the animation industry. I believe strongly in fostering synergy and understanding between production and creative on every project, and have an excellent track record for bringing my projects in on time and on budget, with crew morale intact.