Award-Winning Director & AI educator @ Mermaid Toast | Panelist w/ James Cameron at Academy & Camerimage Events | ASC, DGA AI Consultant | Recognized by Forbes
It was my name day the same day Veo 3 launched, and it got me thinking:
what kind of film could I make with this tool?
People always ask me what a name day is.
And the first thing I think about is my grandmother.
So this is an ode to her.
In the spirit of hybrid filmmaking, I knew I didn’t want it to feel like just a tech demo—
I wanted it to feel like memory.
That’s why I brought in Elyssia Koulouris to voice the poem, and Sébastien Lefebvre for the sound mix—
to ground the piece in real voice and soul.
Instead of releasing it as a simple Veo test, I took my time.
Because this story is personal.
It’s based on my name.
On how I feel about my grandmother.
And what it means when someone asks:
“What’s a name day?”
I’m proud to carry my grandmother’s name.
I’m proud of the history behind it—
and I wanted this to be an ode to all the women who share it.
All the Elenis who came before me.
All the ones still becoming.
We’ve told stories in Greece for thousands of years—through myth, song, prayer, and firelight.
How we tell those stories is always changing.
But the heart of them stays the same.
It’s hard to explain what a name day means if you didn’t grow up with it.
It’s more than a celebration.
It’s lineage. It’s love.
It’s knowing where you come from.
I miss you, Yiayia.
This one’s for you.
Excited to share our 2nd entry for Runway’s Big AI Ad Competition #RunwayBigAdContest for products that don’t exist: Pippin Durable Garden Hose. Time to Grow.
Because sometimes it’s more than just the grass that needs growing.
Made by yours truly with @burns_every
Here is our entry for Runway's Big AI Ad competition for products that don't exist: Crown & Quill Bookmark - Don’t Lose Your Place.
Jan is currently searching for a new book club, if anyone knows of an opening.
Made with @burns_every :)
#RunwayBigAdContest