“Freshman Forty” and “a dog called Rage” are two animated short films made in response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. “Freshman Forty” is a reflection on my college weight gain, and the complicated emotions that surround being an essential retail worker. “a dog called Rage” tells the story of my sister being laid off because of the pandemic, and her allowing me to tag along on her side hustle walking a dog named Rage every day