Idea
The project was inspired by conversations with international students and my own observations of how loneliness is often hidden behind ordinary social situations.
Instead of showing dramatic events, the film focuses on subtle emotions, body language, silence, and internal thoughts. The audience experiences the evening through the protagonist's perspective rather than through dialogue with others.
Process
Story Development
We began by writing the voice message, as it serves as the emotional core of the film.
Once the narration was established, we developed the dinner scenes around it so that every moment reflected the protagonist's thoughts and emotions. The story alternates between:
- Present: The protagonist records a voice message for her mother.
- Flashbacks: Moments from the dinner gradually reveal her experience and emotional journey.
Visual Development
To plan the visual language of the film, we created storyboard sketches for every scene, focusing on:
- Composition
- Camera angles
- Framing
- Emotional storytelling
The protagonist is frequently positioned separately from the group to emphasize her growing feeling of isolation.
AI-Assisted Concept Generation
We also used AI image generation to explore different:
- Visual compositions
- Camera perspectives
- Atmospheres
After multiple iterations and prompt refinements, we achieved a consistent sketch-like visual style that guided the production.
Shooting Day
During production, we recorded the live-action scenes that frame the story, including:
- The protagonist recording her voice message
- Key moments from the dinner
- Character interactions
- Emotional close-up shots
Rather than following every storyboard exactly, we remained flexible on set, adapting camera angles and performances whenever it better communicated the protagonist's emotional isolation.
Post-Production & Final Work
The final film combines several production techniques:
- Live-action footage
- AI-generated visuals
- Voice narration
- Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro
Some visual sequences were generated using Google Flow and integrated into the edit to complement the filmed scenes.
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Reflections
What Did We Discover?
Our original concept focused more heavily on conversations during the dinner. As the project evolved, we realized that the voice message was a much stronger narrative device. Allowing the narration to guide the story created a more intimate perspective, while the visuals became quieter, more observational, and emotionally driven.
What Was Difficult?
One of the biggest challenges was using AI-generated visuals consistently. While AI was an effective tool for exploring ideas and accelerating concept development, achieving a coherent visual style required careful prompt engineering, multiple iterations, and continuous refinement.
What Changed?
A significant change occurred during production due to unexpected weather. We originally planned to film the dinner scenes outdoors, but rain forced us to move the entire shoot indoors. This required us to quickly adapt the storyboard, lighting, and camera setup while preserving the intended atmosphere and emotional tone of the film.
What Worked?
The voice message became the emotional anchor of the film, creating an intimate connection between the protagonist and the audience. The contrast between the warm, social atmosphere of the dinner and the protagonist's internal emotions effectively communicated loneliness without relying on extensive dialogue. Combining live-action footage with AI-generated imagery also strengthened the visual storytelling and supported the film's reflective mood.
