Weightless explores the fragile space between perception and imagination. It focuses on the fleeting moments in which the mind fills gaps in reality when a stranger's expression appears hostile, a phone seems to vibrate, or an everyday object briefly transforms into something else. Rather than treating these perceptual errors as flaws, the film reframes them as moments of possibility. Through familiar objects and subtle visual metaphors, it invites viewers to recognize uncertainty as a source of meaning, beauty, and reflection.
Inspiration
The image of the plastic bag was inspired by a scene from American Beauty (1999) that has stayed with me since I first watched it. The narrator describes the plastic bag as „dancing “with him and reflects that it is the most beautiful thing he has ever filmed. Those lines changed my perspective on seemingly ordinary objects.
A discarded plastic bag is something most people would consider worthless. Yet, because of its lightness, it can become unexpectedly graceful when carried by the wind. Its movement transforms an object associated with waste into something mesmerizing and almost alive. This shift in perception became a key inspiration for Weightless: the idea that everyday objects can gain emotional meaning when we allow ourselves to look beyond their intended function and embrace moments of ambiguity, imagination, and beauty.
Storyboard
I created an initial storyboard using AI as a tool for exploring the narrative flow and visual direction of the film. In hindsight, I found the AI-generated storyboard too detailed for this early stage of the process. The images introduced inconsistencies, such as changing clothing, while defining visual elements I did not want to decide on yet. A simpler approach would have allowed more flexibility for further exploration.
Moodboard
The moodboard explores a warm and intimate atmosphere through earthy brown and orange tones. It combines a sense of nostalgia and comfort with unusual visual elements to create a unique, slightly dreamlike mood that reflects the film’s focus on perception, imagination, and everyday beauty.
Perspectives
The film references the Rashomon effect by contrasting different perspectives of the same moment. Through viewpoints such as the CCTV camera, the door peephole, and the protagonist's own perception, it highlights how reality changes depending on who or what is looking. Rather than asking which perspective is true, Weightless explores how meaning emerges through interpretation.
Production
Shortly before production, I had to change both the filming location and the lead actress. The actual production took place over one full day, from 10 AM until 9 PM, under challenging conditions with temperatures reaching 40°C. The shoot also took place on a completely windless day, making it impossible to film the plastic bag dancing in the wind as originally planned. As a result, this scene had to be reshot a few days later under more suitable weather conditions.
The film was shot using a Sony α7 III camera with Canon lenses (16–35mm and 50mm) to capture both wider environmental compositions and more intimate details. A Portkeys monitor was used for accurate framing and visual control during filming. Lighting was created with Aputure LED tubes and a reflector to shape the warm atmosphere and enhance the cinematic quality of the scenes.
This was my first time working with professional filmmaking equipment of this kind. The process allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of lighting, image composition, and camera setup. Through experimenting with different settings and techniques, I gained confidence in handling the equipment and feel more prepared for future film projects.
Post-Production
During post-production, I focused on refining the visual and auditory atmosphere of the film. I performed colour grading to create a more consistent look and to correct technical issues, as some of the initial footage was significantly underexposed. For the CCTV footage sequence, I worked with After Effects to achieve the desired surveillance-like visual feeling. Additionally, I developed the sound design manually in post-production, layering and adjusting different sounds to enhance the atmosphere, tension, and emotional impact of the scenes.
Outtakes & Bloopers
Reflection
This project taught me to stay open to unexpected changes during production. I also discovered that small experimental decisions, such as filming through a door hole or placing the camera inside the fridge, had a strong impact on creating the atmosphere and perspective of the film. Developing the character and finding the right visual language were important parts of shaping my story.
One of the biggest challenges was balancing my script with the need to leave space for the audience’s own interpretation. I also had to adapt to practical difficulties such as changing natural conditions, lighting limitations, and recording clean sound on location. Changes in the original location and actress meant that I had to rethink the story, but these adjustments also influenced the final direction of the film.
I learned that investing more time in preparation, creating test shots, and planning the editing process before filming can make the production much more intentional. I also realized how important it is to slow down and carefully consider frame composition, as every visual decision contributes to the overall feeling and meaning of the film.
Prior Experiments
The first experiment focused on transforming everyday life into a short moving image by experimenting with editing, rhythm, and visual compression. I created two versions of the same idea: a one-minute version and an ultra-short version, exploring what elements are essential for communicating a story, mood, or meaning.
This exercise helped me understand the importance of selecting meaningful moments, making intentional editing decisions, and using rhythm to shape the viewer’s experience. These learnings directly influenced my final project, especially in terms of pacing, atmosphere, and deciding which visual information was necessary to tell the story.
The second experiment explored how cinematic choices can change the meaning of the same situation without altering the actual event. By creating two versions of one simple scene, I experimented with how lighting and camera perspective influence the viewer’s emotional interpretation.
This exercise helped me become more aware of the power of visual language and how small changes in framing, atmosphere, and perspective can completely shift the perception of a scene. These insights were important for my final project, where I used camera perspective and visual decisions to guide the audience’s interpretation of the story.
