Year
2022
Industry
Media Arts
Space of work
Shortfilm
Timeline
4 weeks

Introduction
The Experiment of Time
"Alternate Headspace" is a sci-fi psychological thriller that explores the ethics of experimental technology and the fragility of human perception. The story follows Evelyne, a mother who participates in a clinical trial for the "Time-Special Compression Machine"—a device designed to manipulate neurotransmitters to make one minute of real-world time feel like an entire year in the subject's mind. What begins as a voluntary experiment for a legal settlement quickly descends into a nightmare as the boundaries between reality and simulation collapse.



Challanges
Conceptualizing Subjective Reality
One of the primary challenges was visually conveying the abstract concept of "subjective time" within a static, clinical environment. We had to differentiate between the objective, cold reality of the medical staff and the deteriorating mental state of the protagonist as she experiences years of isolation in seconds. Additionally, capturing the visceral nature of the final reveal required precise coordination between makeup effects and camera movement to ensure the physical transformation felt earned and impactful.

Process & Execution
Cinematography & Visual Language
As the Camera Operator, I used visual language to build psychological pressure. To heighten disorientation, I utilized tight POV shots to lock the viewer into Evelyne's sensory experience and establish a sense of immediate claustrophobia. I further emphasized the power dynamics of the scene by framing the "Doctor" with clinical detachment, often using low angles and shooting through the laboratory glass to highlight his control over the experiment chamber. In my role as the Editor, I focused on the rhythmic "compression" of the narrative while collaborating closely with the sound department. I worked alongside Kais Neffati, who handled the sound design, to ensure the auditory cues—such as the machine’s BEEPS—were perfectly synchronized with the editorial pace to heighten the protagonist's rising heart rate. I crafted a percussive montage sequence during the equipment setup to establish a mechanical, inescapable rhythm that complemented the soundscape, eventually utilizing a "Boom Up" shot for the final reveal of the corpse to maximize the shock of the results.

Final Thoughts
(03)
PROJECTS

