We have a champion—and not just any champion. This year’s Media Madness competition has made history as Kaelin Lamadrid, a post-secondary student, takes the title for the second year in a row. This marks the first time we’ve seen a repeat champion.
Media Madness continues to be one of the most exciting ways for Digital Media Design students to share their work, gain exposure, and engage in a little friendly competition. From the first round to the championship matchup, this year’s bracket was filled with creativity, innovation, and strong storytelling. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who participated and to all who took the time to vote in each round—you helped make this experience meaningful and engaging for our students.
Kaelin’s winning piece, “Love Me Not,” stood out not only for its visual style but for its emotional depth and storytelling.
This animatic, set to the song “Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae, introduces viewers to Kaelin’s original character, Misa Miller—a rising popstar better known in the music world as Miss Riot. Set in 2004, the story follows Misa as she navigates a complicated, emotionally charged relationship with a fellow rockstar who has significantly more fame and influence.
At its core, the piece explores a powerful and relatable internal conflict. Misa finds herself caught between two competing desires: pursuing her own happiness or leveraging a messy, undefined relationship to elevate her career. Their dynamic is anything but stable—marked by mixed signals, unclear boundaries, and an ongoing cycle of being “on and off” without ever fully committing. It’s less of a relationship and more of a situation, and that ambiguity becomes central to the story being told.
What makes this animatic especially compelling is its ability to capture the tension between personal identity and public persona. Misa is forced to consider whether she should prioritize her authentic self or lean into a more performative version—one that aligns with the image she’s always wanted to project to the world. It’s a narrative that feels incredibly relevant, especially in today’s media landscape, where branding, image, and perception often compete with personal truth.
Kaelin’s work demonstrates a strong understanding of storytelling, character development, and emotional pacing. Even in a short animatic form, the piece effectively conveys mood, tone, and narrative arc. It’s clear that careful thought went into not only the visual composition but also the deeper message behind the story.
Winning Media Madness once is an impressive accomplishment. Winning it twice—while continuing to grow as a creator—is something truly special. Kaelin has set a new standard and shown what’s possible when creativity, dedication, and storytelling come together.
Congratulations again to Kaelin Lamadrid, our two-time Media Madness Champion! We can’t wait to see what you create next.