Overwhelmed by the endless calls, texts and emails, an overworked teacher finds herself at burnout seeking refuge in her car, only to be tormented by a mysterious caller forcing Alex to recognise she is at breaking point.
5 Minutes is exploring the psychological and crushing weight of our modern world expectations. The blurring lines of professional and personal lives causing people to burn out quicker than before. I’ve drawn inspiration for this short film from my own life and experience from pre and post pandemic life… I started to force myself to have 5 minutes each day where I wasn’t anything but me, on my own.
In this modern world where every phone is a walking computer demanding our attention, this film is to be a reminder to all audiences, young and old, to check in with themselves. Self care is not selfish, it’s a fundamental necessity for survival.
Visual approach
I have deliberately chosen to use the camera as the translator rather than spoken dialogue. I intend most of the colours to be on the cooler side, teal, blue and greys to represent the growing pressure around Alex. I will then be using the complementary colour of orange to symbolise the little joys and calm. The warm sun, her car, even the coffee flask, to show that although moving and temporary, this is her oasis of calm.
Sound
The phone is a running theme, so I will be using foley to build the pressure not just visually but through sound too. There will be so much sound that once she breaks and we get a moment of tinnitus, then silence, it will feel like relief to the viewer.
