2nd Place in the CapCut AI Video Studio Challenge! 🥈 I’m incredibly stoked to announce that I’ve taken 2nd Place ($2,000) in the CapCut Video Studio Challenge right here on Contra.

For this piece, I leaned into my obsession with the "Nolan" aesthetic—specifically focusing on 70mm IMAX textures and a cinematic narrative that bridges the gap between the grounded and the galactic. Hearing the judges break down my "Interstellar" tribute and call the shots "VFX-worthy" during the live announcement was a massive highlight. The Workflow: I utilized the new VideoStudio ecosystem, using the integrated Seedance engine to art-direct every frame. It was all about precision—syncing the atmosphere and scale to ensure the AI felt like a high-end camera, not just a generator.

The Mindset: Most people look for a peak, but I’ve learned that when you’re built to keep climbing, there is no ceiling. This win is just the new baseline.

Huge thanks to Zoë and the Contra team for the recognition and for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the freelance ecosystem.

On to the next one.