The Hoop | BOL

THE HOOP by TOM PREZ

Client

IHI Therapy

Director

Tom Prez

Services

2D Animation

Social Media Campaign

Characters

Original Short Film

Non-Profit

After reaching out to IHI Therapy, BOL offered a project to open an emotional doorway into mental health awareness and collective support within New York’s queer community.

Our purpose was to make space for something honest and to champion IHI’s vital mission. It serves as a gentle reminder to viewers: bravery grows stronger when nurtured by community, and often, by professional care too.

During a time when queer lives and expressions are being pushed back into public debate, and are facing renewed political and cultural scrutiny, the film offers a tender reflection on visibility, vulnerability, and support.

Set against the hum and hush of New York City’s subway, this short animated film follows one person on a quiet (yet nerve-wracking) journey toward self-expression. In a world washed in cool purples and shadowy greys, they wrestle with a simple but heavy choice: stepping into public wearing hoop earrings and a vibrant shade of lipstick.

The clatter of the train, the scrape of hands on metal poles, the anxious rhythm of the city echo the character’s inner tension. Fear of being seen. Being judged. Of taking up space as their most authentic self. Through fragmented voiceovers and shifting sound, we’re invited into the private battle between safety and truth.

PROJECT CREDITS

Client

IHI Therapy

Agency

BOL Creative Production House

Written & Directed by

Tom Prezman

Produced by

BOL Creative Production House

Creative Director

Tom Prezman

Executive Producer

Marcello Buselli

Producer

Victoria Ventura

Line Producer

Isabella Gómez, Mailén Gayoso

Music & Sound Design

Omer Teper

Voice Over

Pixie Aventura

Director

Tom Prezman

Art Look Development

Eudald Salarich and Tom Prezman

Storyboard

Dunia Navinés and Eudald Salarich

Animation

Franco Pellicciaro, Virginia Fillol, Guadalupe Vyleta, Tom Prezman

Clean Up

Virginia Fillol, Guadalupe Vyleta, Nofar Alfasi and Tom Prezman

Compositing

Ester Dus

AI

BOL’s Approach to AI

At BOL, artistry and craftsmanship are at the heart of everything we create. We’re a human-led production house, guided by curiosity, care, and the belief that storytelling can expand consciousness and shape culture for the better.

AI is part of today’s creative landscape — but for us, it’s always a tool in service of human creativity, never a replacement for it. We use it thoughtfully, only when it makes sense, and always with transparency. At BOL, we see AI not as a trend, but as a transformative instrument. One that, when used responsibly, can extend the reach of human imagination. We integrate AI only where it enhances our creative process, respects human authorship, and amplifies the emotional impact of every story we tell.

We believe technology should respond to real human needs, not create them artificially. That’s why we pause to ask: What is the problem for which this technology is the solution? If the answer isn’t clear, we don’t use it. For us, critical reflection comes before execution.

Here’s what that means for our clients:

- Human first: All creative direction and final decisions rest with our directors, artists, and producers.
- Transparency: If we use AI at any stage, you’ll know about it.
- Consent: We won’t include AI-generated elements in final work without your approval.
- Ethics, Safety & Compliance: We never use AI trained on unlicensed data or in ways that put copyright or originality at risk.
- Accountability: We take full responsibility for the compliance, quality, and ownership of your final deliverables.

By setting these boundaries, we give our partners peace of mind. Working with BOL means your story is told with integrity, originality, and care — blending the possibilities of technology with the irreplaceable artistry of people.

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