“Learn from your peers and always be open to new perspectives. Keep an eye out for what speaks to you, save what does for later inspiration, and trust that as a creative person you already have good taste and can be confident in it.”
Here at ELM, we love peeling back the curtain so we can all get to know each other a bit better. We feel fortunate to work as storytellers and find it fascinating to learn what makes creatives tick. What’s the first step? For ELM Animator Kellee, it’s all about setting the right mood to ignite her creative process. When she’s deep into scripting or storyboarding, she enjoys the soothing tunes of piano music. But for simpler tasks, podcasts provide the perfect backdrop. Kellee’s creativity starts with excitement—a new story to tell, a project to be proud of, or a chance to improve her skills. She jots down ideas quickly, whether it’s with sketches or notes. Then, she takes her time to refine those ideas and turn them into projects she loves.
“If I hit a creative roadblock, my first step is usually breaking down the project into smaller pieces and examining one aspect at a time to find the hitch. If that does not work, I’m lucky to have great fellow animators I can turn to for brainstorming. Having peers to gain different perspectives from is an invaluable resource.”
At Early Light Media, Kellee has the freedom to explore new ideas. Surrounded by fellow creatives, she finds support and encouragement to try new things and take risks. The team collaborates and inspires each other, making the work enjoyable and rewarding.
Kellee’s enthusiasm for expanding her skill set and collaborating with her fellow ELM creatives has led to remarkable achievements. ELM landed an awesome client, Amazon, for a TV spot. Even though this project was outside her usual animated wheelhouse, Kellee took the opportunity to support the film by creating a production storyboard. These storyboards supported the on-set production and the resulting Amazon “Keep the Lights On” ad spot earned recognition with a nomination for a 2024 Addy Award.
Among her most fulfilling projects is the creation of a therapy series for neurodivergent children at Mount Washington Medical Center. Collaborating with Dr. Harper Johnston, Kellee crafted animations to ease children’s discomfort during therapy sessions, leaving a lasting impact on patients and caregivers alike. Here is a look into how ELM builds custom animations from start to finish.
“Keep doing and keep making- the more you create the more you will be able to stretch your own boundaries and experiment with new ideas.”
For Kellee, inspiration is everywhere. She finds it in the work of her peers, her colleagues, and artists online.
By staying curious and open-minded, she keeps her creative spark alive. In the world of animation and storytelling, Kellee Roeder is a shining example of creativity and determination. Her journey at Early Light Media is a reminder that passion and perseverance can lead to amazing things.
Her advice to others? Keep creating, keep learning, and trust your instincts. If you’re wondering how animation fits into your marketing strategy, let’s talk.
