Since the early part of this year, I've decided to dabble in making short films. Nothing too big, just experimenting and using a means to address a creative muscle needing to be flexed. I've only been using my cell phone, some flashlights, free editing software, a free audio website, and just my own can-do grit of crafty creativity.
For this post, I wanted to express some words about my most recent one, entitled Not Helping. If I was to prepare a single-sentence synopsis about it, it'd be:
"The distorted voices of toxic positivity only add to the mounting pressures of society's life expectations."
I wanted to create an immersive experience to enter the mind of the subject, where the viewer can feel identified by the character's plight. My short films barely reach three minutes, so it's important to use each second. As a clock ticks to symbolize unnerving "time running out on success" and the voices begin, it was important to also illustrate the physical effects of all the cacophony.
I'm sure that each and every one of you has been down at one point in life and, when in need of support, validation, and care, you've gotten the quick-fixing one-liners of "Cheer up!", "Others have it worse", and "Toughen up, life is hard", et al.
Drawing from my own life, I wanted to make this a pushback to these kinds of reactions we get from all sorts of people in our lives: friends, relatives, coworkers, acquaintances, etc. What I went for was to show that perspective of how unhelpful it sounds. Whoever says it THINKS it helps. The people who did the voices did a wonderful job of presenting their different tones, while still sounding condescending.
In the end, what I want to achieve the most with Not Helping, which I so far consider my finest work, is that people watch this and it transcends the specific topic it portrays.
That everyone who clicks "PLAY" sees a parallel to their own situation.
That some viewers feel they're not alone in feeling others are being unhelpful.
That there are better actions or words for people needing help.
And that those who are guilty of doing it realize how unhelpful they can be and vow to ultimately DO BETTER.
Here's Not Helping, my short film:
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