Alexa Velasquez is an LA-based director, animator, and digital sculptor.
I was really drawn to Alexa’s personal animation and character design work. Her style feels very distinct and confident, filled with fantasy characters and bold colors. The characters feel diverse and intentional. Each one has a clear identity, and the costumes and props make them feel like powerful mythological figures.
Alexa also worked as a producer when she was at USC. She spoke a lot about collaboration, production strategy, and how important it is to understand both the creative and logistical sides of a project. One of the main projects she shared was SIMULACRA (2021), which she produced and which was directed by Curry Tian. It’s a massive hybrid piece combining live action, motion capture, and experimental animation. The world of the film feels ritualistic and futuristic at the same time, blending East Asian cultural elements with surreal imagery.
What stood out to me most was hearing Alexa explain how the project was actually made. As producer, she coordinated costumes, makeup, and other departments largely through collaboration and personal connections, often with very little money involved. A lot of things were done out of goodwill and shared excitement for the project. That really shifted my mindset, because I usually assume productions of that scale are impossible without a big budget. It made me realize how critical the producer role is, not just creatively, but in holding everything together when resources are limited.