Our short film Second Skin is a project that has been in development for several months by both recent Edinburgh Napier University and Queen Margaret University graduates and current students. This project is not part of a course or for a University assignment but is rather a passion project for all of those involved with the film. Our goal for this film is simple, to make a movie! We are all passionate about the creative thrill of making films and are all aspiring filmmakers. It is through this passion that we have embarked on this journey to make this film become a reality and an experience that we can share with you, the audience. However, in order to do that we need to gather all our resources; crew, cast, equipment, transport, catering, props, costumes, set decoration, locations, makeup, hair, SFX, music, and that comes at a price. That is where the help and support from of making a donation to this project will go- to finally seeing this film being made with the resources and support from all of you.
ABOUT THE FILM:
Logline:
After being sexually assaulted a young woman falls out of touch with reality as her body becomes infected with black mould.
Synopsis:
Sylvie comes home from a night out and something seems wrong. Her clothes are soaked, her jacket is in her hands and her shoes are missing. She makes her way to the bathroom where she finds a rancid black goo seeping from her crotch. The following day, after an uncomfortable intimate altercation with her partner, Sylvie gradually confronts the reality that she was sexually assaulted the night before. She shields herself in her room where remembering the events of the following night notices a strange stem and cluster of mushrooms poking out from under her fingernail. With the discovery of this strange bodily mutation Sylvie slips into her subconscious in search of reason. Instead, she awakes fragments of the assault that have manifested themselves into a vile, spore mutating, fungus infested creature and landscape that dazzle and taunt her. Back in reality, Sylvie is becoming overwhelmed with the crushing realisations of her assault. Mould has now started growing up her arms and along the damp fabrics of her clothes as the neglect of her partner, her own emotions and acceptance churn in her body. Sylvie begins losing herself to guilt and shame. Before having the time to understand what is happening to both her mind and body Sylvie feels the roots of vegetation and fungus sprout out from her stomach and spills out of her as her mind drifts away alongside her metamorphosis. Sylvie is forced to confront the assault (in the form of the mould creature) and comes to learn that she doesn’t need to kill or suppress it all but rather learn to accept and make peace with her trauma.
Here’s a sneak peak into the style of the film with some stills from our test shoot last month.
Writer/ Director Statement: Jack-Murray Birrell
I find it very important that cinema is used to highlight and provide answers, even those difficult to swallow, reflecting on issues that impact everyone in the real world. With Second Skin I find it vital that we convey both the psychological and physical tolls of such a touchy and important subject of sexual assault and the fallout and burrowing of trauma spurred on by such a violent violation of the body. It is through this that I want to focus on conveying these complex emotions during a period of turbulence through the visual representation of body horror all the while highlighting the effects of an assault on the body. My hope is that this film will be able to convey the issues surrounding the social stigma and at times fetishization of assault in a way that is stylized however successfully conveys the complexities of sexual violence and the destructive aftermath it leaves on a person’s mental state and their relationship with their body. The film is dark and deals with the pressures of self-guilt and an invasion of the body but does provide supportive answers. The main takeaway and message I want audiences to get from the film is, despite the turmoil and loss of feelings after an assault, that coming to grips with the reality of trauma is a messy, painful and complex journey of acceptance. You might not be the same after the realisation of what has happened however, it doesn’t have to take over or bar you from self-confidence, beauty and relationship with the self and that life can, in fact, continue.
MEET SOME OF THE CREW:
JACK-MURRAY BIRRELL (@jack_murrayfilm_)
ROBYN THOMSON (@robynthomson.film)
LAURA ADRIENNE BACHMANN (@lau.a.bach)
ANDREW ROBERT MURRAY (@andrewrmaudio)
JENNIFER WILLIAMSON (@jennifer_williamson_mua)
JOHANNA DENKE (@the.denke)
AVAILABLE MERCH:
All designs have been done by our wonderful crew member Johanna. Feel free to head on over to our Instagram page to view the designs and other merch.