ABOUT

annika.olarson@gmail.com

My name is Annika Oyung Larson and I am a writer, aspiring philosopher, social media specialist, DJ, (short) filmmaker, and creative based in Portland and LA. I also blog on my Substack. If you would like to read more about my employable skills you can access my resume, which lists every job I have ever done, here.

I recently graduated from Claremont McKenna College with my Bachelor of Arts degree where I dual-majored in Philosophy and Media Studies (with a concentration in film).

During my time at CMC I studied abroad twice, spending one semester taking philosophy classes at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and another making a short film at FAMU in Prague, Czech Republic.

Over the pandemic I began posting short music, fashion, and lifestyle videos on TikTok, and amassed over 150K followers on the account @aphextwinsgf. While I am no longer active on that account, learning about social media algorithms and how to grow an audience has given me a lot of insight into social media management. Social media marketing is by no means my passion, but I think I have an intuitive understanding of what succeeds algorithmically.

Senior Thesis:

Simulacra and Simulation Theory: How Real is Our Reality?

Abstract: Metaphysical quandaries have plagued humans for centuries, beginning with Plato, who in his Allegory of the Cave, illustrated a world where people misinterpreted shadows on the wall as reality. This paper examines the notion that our reality is a simulation, either created by us or by external forces. The ontological theories presented in this paper are mainly derived from the work of media theorist Jean Baudrillard and his concept of hyperreality as well as Nick Bostrom’s argument for the simulation hypothesis. I also analyze Slavoj Zizek’s comments on media depictions of simulations in mainstream movies like The Matrix and The Truman Show along with hyperreal events that have occurred, like the September 11 terrorist attacks. Baudrillard's theory suggests that our experience of reality is increasingly mediated by technology and media, to the point where it becomes difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not. This can lead to a sense of disorientation or alienation from reality, which may prompt people to search for alternative explanations for their experience. Baudrillard attributes these feelings to living in a hyperreal society whereas Bostrom's simulation theory offers an alternative explanation: that our experience of reality may be the result of living in a computer simulation. While both of these ideas may seem far-fetched, they speak to a deep-seated human desire to understand the nature of reality and our place within it.

This is a short film I directed, wrote, and starred in that was shot on 16 mm in Prague. It is a short romantic comedy titled Stuff that was filmed in November, 2023.

Here are some stills from the film if you don’t want to watch it.

My senior thesis film So Anyway shot in Death Valley, California in April 2023.

This film was influenced by Zabriskie Point by Michelangelo Antonioni (1970).

Written, filmed, directed, and edited by me.

Photography/Cinematography Work:

When I'm not styling and directing, I provide creative consulting for luxury fashion brands across the globe. My travels have inspired my first book project, a coffee table book featuring street photography of the most fashionable people waiting for public transit.

Commercial folio available upon request.

Latest Project

Transit street photography,
Launching early next year

Client List

Creative Direction,
2021

#Magazine

Stylist, 2022

SQSP launch

Stylist, 2020

Editorial Collection

Associate Stylist,
2019

Quinn Issue No.2

Associate Stylist,
2020

Quinn Issue No.1