Helen Ratner

Animator and Video Editor

starstarstarstarstar
4 Reviews
Helen Ratner on SoundBetter

Canvas Portfolio

I am an animator & designer specializing in short looping animations. My skills include rotoscoping, hand drawn FX, and collage style motion graphics. To get a better feel for my style, please check out my Instagram @helenratner. I've done work for artists such as Kanye, FKA Twigs, Steve Aoki, El Alfa, and more.

I love to create work that is thought provoking and highlights the music that accompanies it to provide an extra layer of complexity to the song. I create videos using a wide range of techniques, blending footage and hand drawn animation to create a unique style.

I enjoy crafting bespoke ideas for each video while still being a perfectionist when it comes to the technical aspects of animation and video editing.

~~~

Previous projects include everything from from album visualizers/canvas edits to full music videos.

I would love to hear more about your project so please contact me today!

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

4 Reviews

Endorse Helen Ratner
  1. Review by ififm19cwnjvi1ney9an3sssg
    starstarstarstarstar

    Her work looks awesome!

  2. Review by Sydney Ranee'
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Sydney Ranee'

    Helen designed a promo for one of singles and it turned out absolutely fantastic. She's very hands on and produces amazing work!

  3. Review by Jordan Teplitzky
    starstarstarstarstar
    by Jordan Teplitzky

    I am working with Helen on a music video and she is amazing. She is super organized and meets every request the client brings her way. We're all stoked with each draft and it's a total pleasure working with her. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Beyond happy with her work.

  4. Review by HIROKI SEKIGUCHI
    starstarstarstarstar
    by HIROKI SEKIGUCHI

    I've recently offered her to make a music video for Japanese male singer songwriter "Yuji Nakada"'s song titled "BACK TO MYSELF"(https://youtu.be/e-DWhwP17nM). She had responded and proposed fascinating ideas so quickly! Me & Yuji are so grateful for her eager work.Thanks, Helen!

Interview with Helen Ratner

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: I'm currently working on directing and editing a music video for Steve Aoki that I'm very excited about.

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: DIGITAL! The last time I tried to draw on a piece of paper I tried to "zoom in."

  5. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  6. A: I will always be 120% invested in your project. The perfectionist in me won't allow any less.

  7. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  8. A: my cat, my ipad, my bed, my laptop, and DUCT TAPE.

  9. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  10. A: My full time job is an Art Director working in advertising. I started moonlighting as an animator after falling in love with After Effects and hand drawn animation.

  11. Q: How would you describe your style?

  12. A: Unexpected.

  13. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  14. A: I would love to work with Henry Rollins one day. He's just a really cool weirdo.

  15. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  16. A: My strongest skill is patience. When animating by hand, I have to draw every single frame that is shown.

  17. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  18. A: I find representing abstract thoughts and ideas is easier through animation and motion graphics. I love to mirror reality by rotoscoping or cutting up footage and then adding a twist that would normally be impossible.

  19. Q: What's your typical work process?

  20. A: I usually begin by listening to a song while reading the lyrics. Then, I come up with some ideas/concepts and once a concept is chosen i begin to storyboard. Once storyboards are completed and approved, I move into the animation phase.

  21. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  22. A: I work from home in Brooklyn! Usually from my bed or couch as I'm not much of a desk lover.

  23. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  24. A: I'm a fan of most music genres but some of my favorite artists are Hozier, Vince Staples, Nirvana, Milky Chance, Anderson .Paak, Billie Eilish, and Jet.

  25. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  26. A: I do mostly short looping visualizers, album covers, and music videos.

  27. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  28. A: I love taking an idea or image from my mind and then being able to actually create it.

Terms Of Service

Includes 1 revision on concept before animation and 1 minor revision after animation. Additional revisions hourly. Turnaround time dependent on current workload, can negotiate timeline with budget.

More Photos