The Judges Committee has awarded this submission EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION & FILMOGRAPHY

PROJECT SUMMARY

The problem we addressed was how to effectively convey the theme of emotional dependency in a short film. To address this, our team put together a synopsis that vividly portrays the protagonist's internal struggles and behaviors regarding the consequences and challenges driven by emotional dependence on another person. The main result is a story that captures the protagonist's intense emotional journey.

WHY?

We created this short film to delve into and depict the difficulties of becoming overly dependent on someone emotionally. The main idea is to portray the emotional struggles and behaviors that come with codependency and the implications that this entails. We aim to illustrate the significant impact that various factors can have not only on oneself, but also on one's environment; we intend to highlight how these influences can extend beyond personal boundaries to affect one’s self-esteem and sense of identity, potentially leading to depersonalization. Through our project, we seek to emphasize the importance of addressing these issues holistically. 

HOW?

To create our project, we began by brainstorming ideas as a team, drawing inspiration from our personal interest and generating questions for a short film concept. We decided to focus on a psychology related topic that resonated with all of us. Once the topic was selected, we outlined the storyline, developed the characters, and identified key scenes, followed by scriptwriting and storyboarding to visualize the narrative flow. Throughout this process, we continuously refined our ideas, incorporating feedback and assistance from our Audiovisual teacher, Mr. Jorge Samson; with his guidance, we polished the storyline until we were satisfied with the final concept.

WHAT?

In our short film, we believe we successfully portray the challenges of emotional dependency, highlighting the repercussions of an individual's codependency on another. During the research process aiming to illustrate this issue in an optimal way, we discovered various ways codependency affects the individual and how this can also extend to their surroundings. Our emphasis on narrative depth and emotional resonance enabled us to convey the consequences of emotional dependence. Ultimately, our short film aims to spark reflection and conversation about the impact of relying excessively on others. 

STEAM PROJECT CJP - DEPENDANT SHORT FILM.mov

SO WHAT?

The importance of our short film arises from its ability to highlight and demonstrate the negative impacts of emotional dependency on individuals in a comprehensible and capsuled manner. Through the description of the challenges and actions of the protagonist, we intend to spark reflections on the significance of the chosen problem. Our findings underscore the power of silent acting to convey complex emotional themes and highlight the importance of empathy in understanding human experiences. The process of narrative elaboration and filming were enriching experiences for the team, contributing to the creative processes of each member, likewise, the investigative procedure provided new knowledge about the problem.

WHAT'S NEXT?

To expand our project, we could dig deeper into the reasons behind emotional dependency and show ways to overcome it. Improvements could include incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences to provide a more comprehensive narrative and getting input from mental health experts to make sure we're handling the topic correctly. Additionally, we could create resources or host workshops to  facilitate discussions on establishing healthy emotional boundaries and fostering self-reliance.

REFERENCES & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We believe it's essential to address the issue of emotional dependence, given its pervasive presence in society today; codependency is increasingly prevalent across various demographics, transcending age and underlying causes. According to various studies, emotional dependency rates have been increasing notoriously as the years go by and our society grows. Moreover, we drew inspiration from real-life experiences to infuse our short film with authenticity and relatability. The team was guided by Mr. Jorge Samson, the audiovisual instructor, who helped us throughout the creative, logistical and production process of the film.

JUDGES FEEDBACK

Your short film is outstanding! The production, structure, and writing are all top-notch. I could really connect with the story, it felt organic and deeply touching. I especially appreciate how it raises awareness about emotional dependence and includes a mental health phone line at the end. Remarkable work!