Why We Made This Film
Our primary goal was to make the 'invisible' visible. We set out to depict the often unseen, invisible weight of anxiety as it manifests in a common, everyday setting: a social gathering. This film is an exercise in utilizing visceral, visual language from camera movement to sound design to translate a complex internal mental state onto the screen. Inspired by personal experiences and honest conversations about mental health, we aimed to create a film that is not just about anxiety, but one that allows the audience to feel and experience the suffocating reality of a panic attack firsthand.
Production Challenges
Controlling Natural Light and Setup
Achieving the intended visual tone was heavily dependent on a strictly controlled environment. Our primary challenge was neutralizing the location's natural light. We employed blackout curtains across all windows to create a completely dark, isolated space, which was essential for crafting the high-contrast, color-saturated lighting setup required to visually represent the protagonist's spiraling anxiety.
Shooting the Vertigo Effect (Dolly Zoom)
Executing the dolly zoom (or vertigo effect) was one of the most technically demanding elements. Since the camera was handheld, achieving a smooth, usable shot required extreme precision. We filmed between 10 to 15 takes, and despite the effort, the final selected take was slightly out of focus. This necessitated an extensive post-production correction, where we utilized masking techniques to sharpen and draw focus back to the protagonist's face, preserving the dramatic impact of the shot.
Time Constraints & Actor Scheduling
Our tight production schedule was immediately complicated due to a miscommunication with the actors which forced us to completely reorder our shooting plan. We had to prioritize the party crowd shots first, then moved to the interaction scenes involving the protagonist, and finally captured her solo emotional scenes at the very end. This on-the-fly adjustment tested our time management skills and required focused communication from the entire crew
Post Production
Sound Design: The Audible Sensation of Anxiety
Sound was a major storytelling component and a critical tool for conveying the protagonist's internal state. Our goal was to actively translate the feeling of a panic attack into an audible experience.
Transitions
We used a pitchy tone riser to create an auditory „jolt,“ signaling the viewer's transition in and out of the panic attack.
Muffled Chaos
During the peak of the anxiety, a low-pass filter was applied to the soundscape. This muffled all external party noises, simulating the feeling of a panic attack and emphasizing the character's sense of internal isolation.
Foley and Synchronization
We utilized a combination of production audio and foley effects added in post-production. Crucially, the repetitive sound of foot tapping was meticulously synced frame-by-frame to match the visual action. The amplified heartbeat sounds were precisely aligned with the movement of the watch hands, effectively linking the character's physical and temporal breakdown.
Color Correction and Editing
Sharpening the Vertigo Effect
Due to the difficulty of capturing the handheld dolly zoom (vertigo effect), the only usable take was slightly out of focus. To correct this, we applied a sharpening mask specifically over the protagonist's face. This technique compensated for the loss of focus and ensured the shot which is critical to the narrative; retained its emotional impact.
Color Grading and Aesthetic
Minimalist Grading Approach: Our color grading was minimal but highly effective. Since the footage was not shot in a flat RAW format, the in-camera footage was already rich and saturated, particularly the neon blue and red lighting used to create the mood. This meant we avoided heavy color edits, focusing instead on subtle adjustments to maintain the dramatic, pre-established aesthetic and ensure consistency throughout the film.
Acknowledgments
This film would not have been possible without the collective effort and incredible work of our cast and crew. A huge thank you for your time, talent, and commitment to navigating the challenges of this production. Your belief in the project's vision made all the difference.
We also want to express our sincere gratitude to our project supervisor, Rochus Hartmann, for the guidance, expertise, and support provided throughout the entire Elective Moving Image process.
Finally, a special thank you to Mr. Henry Mertens for his invaluable assistance in providing us with all the necessary equipment for our shoot, on very short notice.
✨ A Film By:
Mansoor Makba
Roshni Das
Aashna Chhatwal
🎭 Starring:
İpek İlayda Bellisan
Hamzeh Za'Balawi
Adriane Spence
👥 Cast:
Cameron Barber
Joel Kaleb Dias
Areeshah Qureshi
Nikita Vinokurov
Nursan Akinci
Idil Akünal
Project Supervisor:
Rochus Hartmann
