This project was part of my second term at the London Film Academy, where we were tasked with pitching and, if selected, directing a 10-minute short film. The script was written by a fellow cohort, and we worked with an assigned crew to bring it to life.
Ignorance truly is bliss. Mathew knows that now, or what remains of him does. From finding out you’ve got a soulmate to realising that you’ve made their life hell, over and over again so that they cannot help but despise you- it’s not easy to go back from that. Or to even get up from your seat.
MoodBoard
STORYBOARD
CHARACTER DESIGN
ENDURING
RESILLIENT
REFLECTIVE
JAMES
Character Arc
Once a Fervent believer in an idealised, storybook romance, he clung to the hope of finding his perfect match in Mathew, convinced they were destined soulmates despite Mathew’s consistent indifference.
Yet time and time again, James found himself wounded by Mathew’s actions, enduring both emotional and physical hurt.
This cycle of hurt led James to a pivotal realisation about the hardness of fate and the toxic nature of his connection with Mathew.
Embracing his self worth, James resolved to no longer allow himself to be a pawn in fate’s unpredictable game or to tolerate Mathew’s damaging behaviour, marking a significant shift in his perspective on love and self-respect.
OBLIVIOUS
IMPULSIVE
SELF-ABSORBED
MATHEW
Character Arc
He is an egocentric individual, blissfuly unaware of the world around him and rash in his decisions. Driven by impulse, he overlooks the impact of his behaviour on others.
He’s madly in love with Nina, embodying the archetype of a ‘love-able goofball’ rom-com character.
It’s not until James confronts him with the repercussions of his actions across their lifetimes that he comes to a stark realisation of his mistakes. Filled with regret for how he has treated James, he acknowledges his long-standing negligence. Unfortunately, this epiphany arrives too late, leading to a profound and irreversible reckoning with his past actions.
RADIENT
EMPATHETIC
LOVING
NINA
Character Arc
She is luminous being with gentle spirit, harbouring love for Mathew while empathising with James’ affection towards him.
As an incidental participant, she finds herself caught in the intricate dynamics of their intertwined fates, becoming an unintended victim of circumstances beyond her control.
WORLD-BUILDING
The only person you remember from your past life is your soulmate.
When you are dying you are suspended between Life and Death. That space is called ‘The Rift’.
James has been there every time after he’s dead too. He has to watch his hurt on a loop before he can leave the place.
He’s been there enough to know how to manipulate the space and has made it his own playground.
The space also has trinkets from his past lives, which have played some kind of part in his life. (Chandelier, photo frames, etc.)
