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Now We're Alone

A short art house film exploring the effects of manipulation.

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Now We're Alone

Now We're Alone

Now We're Alone

Now We're Alone

Now We're Alone

A short art house film exploring the effects of manipulation.

A short art house film exploring the effects of manipulation.

A short art house film exploring the effects of manipulation.

A short art house film exploring the effects of manipulation.

Owen Norman-Bruce
Owen Norman-Bruce
Owen Norman-Bruce
Owen Norman-Bruce
1 Campaign |
Brighton, United Kingdom
$1,847 USD $1,847 USD 37 backers
75% of $2,462 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

 

A foreign exchange student searches for a way to fit in an unfamiliar environment, however, his sense of reality is warped in the face of manipulative forces.

“Now we’re alone” looks primarily at manipulation, and its effects it can have on the minds of individuals; be it with friends, family or loved ones. Drawn from the experiences of Writer/Director Jake David Lindemere and Rooted in elements of arthouse cinema and filmed in the city of Brighton. Drawing from the works of Wong Kar-Wai (Chungking Express, Happy Together) and Sophia Coppola (Lost in Translation) the film takes a heart-breaking and honest look at the effects of neglected mental health.  Exploring a young man’s struggle in the face of an older, manipulative character. Now We’re Alone aims to tackle elements that aren’t readily discussed as much as they should be, though the main focus remains deeply rooted in manipulation we also explore outsiderness, mental health, and racial adversity. We aim to present a piece that others going through similar situations can relate too and help those who may be unaware of issues such as these gain a new understanding of the effects of manipulation and neglect.

Why Make This Film?

This film is about mental health. It is about isolation and manipulation. With a particular look into relationship gaslighting on the grounds of sadistic intentions. The social issues tackled over the course of the 15-minute film are readily comparable to issues that many of us are dealing with at this very moment in time. Mental health is something we all neglect, it is something we all often put to the back of our minds, and this is because it cannot be seen, it is often an unspoken issue and for too long it has been surrounded by stigma. 

By incorporating surrealist and art-house aesthetic conventions the film will act as a short allegory of the consequences that come as a direct result of manipulative abuse within relationships. The film will present a magnified depiction of mental health directly affecting the mind of a Chinese exchange student studying in the UK. For anybody who has suffered with feelings of isolation and manipulation within an unhealthy relationship our lead (Oscar) will likely be seen as a very relatable character.

 

 

Oscar Wang: 25 years old. Born in Shanghai, China. Male. Contemporary Drama Student at University. Oscar did not have a particularly pleasant childhood, as an only child living with an emotionally abusive mother and a belligerent father. Oscars issues surrounding his mental health began when he was 9 years old, unable to communicate normally with other children and often showing signs of unhealthy and reclusive behaviour; things worsen with age, yet his parents grew more hostile because of it. It was around his 24th birthday that he was deemed of a sound mental stability allowing him to finally travel to England to study as he hoped to do for so long, choosing to explore drama as a means of becoming more confident, which his parents deemed as a useless career path to follow, once again worsening Oscar’s fragile mental state. 


Chris Brady: 37, Born in Bristol, England. Male. Advertising and Marketing executive. Chris also did not have a particularly pleasant childhood; his mother abandoned him and his father when he was 10, it would have seemed as though she was not of a sound mental state either. Chris however, took all the shortcomings that were presented to him throughout his life and did his best to make something of them, which Oscar admires and is drawn it, it is the confidence that Chris carries that Oscar is drawn to also. It is this exact confidence which Chris is able to employ in order to manipulate Oscar, in the face of his own insecurities.

 

 

Writer & Director - Jake David Lindemere

My name is Jake Lindemere and I am the director for Now We’re Alone. I have to say I am over the moon to be able to tell this story, it is one that is incredibly dear to my heart. As I am sure many of you know, the discussion surrounding mental health is becoming more and more open and there has never been a better time to tell stories regarding the negatives and positives of mental health issues.  After struggling with my own mental health and having the issues surrounding my loved ones too I felt this film to be the perfect opportunity to shed some light on the issue in general. Writing the film proved particularly taxing however as I decided to put myself in the shoes of a Chinese exchange student dealing with the effects of early-stage schizophrenia, inspired by my partner and his struggle to adjust to life in the western world I really wanted to delve into a perspective not often looked at. To get the tone of the film right took quite some effort, however the finished result will truly be something astonishing I am 100% sure. A little bit surreal in parts but biting throughout I wanted the whole film to feel a bit surreal, mostly inspired by the works of Michel Gondry and Jean-Luc Godard with a sprinkling of Kubrick, I drew a great deal of inspiration from the works of these artists for their beautiful use of colour, scenery and time-bending aspects. Though it’s a bit of a tough watch I really can’t wait for you all to be let into the world of Now We’re Alone.

Producer - Owen Norman-Bruce

I’m Owen Norman-Bruce, a third year Media Practice student at the University of Sussex. I am excited to be the Producer for ‘Now We’re Alone’. Since I have been at University, I have developed a passion for the research, design and creation of films, more specifically documentary. As the Director of two documentary films, the first being ‘2,700’ were we explored the reutilisation of Vintage Clothing and how this can benefit the environment. We followed a vintage clothes shopper and in contrast used interviews to challenge and record public assumptions about clothes production. The second documentary ‘McCready Bags’, captured and illustrated the owner’s creative relationship with his sewing machine, this participatory film used that relationship to tell the story of the survival of a small independent business. As the Producer of ‘Now We’re Alone’ I am shifting from the creative to the business side of production, covering finance and fundraising, coordination pre, post and during production. Marketing is central to my role so to ensure we realise our potential audience I will lead on our social media channels. My role in this exciting project supports my long-term goals to produce and direct other forms of content including online digital content. This project stood out to me as the subject of mental health is something which is very important to me, and a subject which I want to explore and discuss with as large an audience as possible.

Cinematography - Benjamin Schumm

My name is Ben Schumm and I am in my final year of Sussex University studying Media. ‘Now We’re Alone’ is a project that I was drawn to for its exploration of mental illness and the conventions of queer cinema which are usually considered too direct to be portrayed within the mainstream media. I have previously worked on documentaries which have explored the lives of  people who suffer from mental illness as an effect of homelessness as well as old age. As this is a topic that means a lot to me, I am excited to work on my first short film as a cinematographer which will give me the chance to work closely with the director to help raise awareness and produce a film that will represent the diversity of demographics present in today’s society.

Sound Design - Jack Gunn

Hello my name is Jack Gunn, I am a 3rd year film-making student at the University of Sussex. I have worked on many projects on films within my own university course. I have also helped on the set of the film ‘Adventures Boyz’. I have also done work for my local TV station editing news segments and going out to help out reporters. I have also created trailers for the BDMA Academy and worked with Brighton Council for a murmuration project trailer. I have done work experience at Brighton Football Club where I now work part time within the media department . I was very intrigued and wanted to work with Jake on the film "Now We’re Alone" as I feel mental health is a huge problem within society and I still feel it does not have a big enough voice as millions of people are still suffering. I worked on my own mental health documentary in 2nd year focusing on suicide, depression and the road to recovery  and I would like to continue that trend to get a stronger message out there. My role for this project will be sound, I will be recording on set making sure everything is clear and perfect for our film. I will also be working with Jake and the rest of the crew to try and find soundtracks that will suit our film in the best possible manner.

Editor - Yiwen Ma

I’m Yiwen Ma, as the editor of the film, I am responsible for all post-production of NOW WE’RE ALONE, including footage composition, adding effects like transitions, subtitles, background music and so on. In order to understand the role and story better, I participated in all our shooting processes so far, and will be there in the future as well. I think grasping pre-production is also necessary to editor, which will reduce the time cost of the script understanding editor will spend during the post-editing stage and make communication with the director more efficient and smooth. With a clear understanding of the film's ideas and style, the color tone and effect editor use will be closer to the original concept of the director. I have edited five shorts before this film project including three documentaries and two animations, so I have a relatively adept editing skill. For this film project, I have built a folder including some free soundtrack materials, subtitle adding software, toning reference board, plug-in package for special effect, etc., and have been looking for wider editing materials on website and practice in advance, in order to make our film more interesting and professional in the end.

 

 

 

We would all like to thank you for even taking the time to read this and find out about our project. Donations are so greatly appreciated, your money is not only in safe hands but also is contributing to a project which will really open peoples eyes to mental health and hopefully get people talking. There are optional perks available when donating, these have been created so we can show our gratitude for your donation. If you aren’t able to donate, it would be excellent if you could share the page as exposure is so crucial for our success. Thank you!

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