Introduction:
My film, Naomi, is a micro short sci-fi romance that follows a nostalgic yet magical moment between a lonely guy and a stranger on a night they’ll never forget. Naomi is my 3rd short film and first micro, so I wanted to tackle a two-hander differently, to put in as much as I could in the 4-minute runtime and make it as intimate as possible, with a dance sequence, as it’s something I’ve never directed before.
Inspiration:
The idea for Naomi came out of nowhere; it’s my first time writing something magical that’s a little surreal, which involves a specific feeling. In a way, Naomi represents fun and escapism; it’s like filmmaking. You meet, create magical moments together and then go your separate ways. You treasure the time you’ve spent together, and you’ll always look back on it.
The Process:
Filming took place in Sheffield, with a small Midlands crew of 9. We had 1 location change and filmed everything in just one day. The major challenges were capturing the look of the film in a blacked-out volume space, getting that colourful look, but also complete darkness in the scenes for the mystique and sci-fi elements. To find the right balance and timings with the lights changing, the movements of the dance and the camera combined to create an experience. The glitter moments were all done practically on location as well, which turned out better than I could ever imagine.
What It Means To Be A Finalist:
Being selected as a finalist at Worcester Film Festival not only this year but also last year is hugely validating, knowing that the films have resonated with audiences, and
industry professionals. It’s even nicer to be a finalist at a BIFA qualifying festival too. I’m happy to be at Worcester again and share Naomi with further audiences.
Where To Watch / Follow:
Follow me on Instagram @directedbydec for updates, behind the scenes and more content as Naomi continues its festival journey.