Alternate Headspace

Alternate Headspace

Following Tina Kardens' life, we investigate her past and how she came about going into the makeup industry. As she has faced hardships in finding her true passion, we examine her decision to not only pursue two bachelor's degrees but also graduate with makeup expertise.

Following Tina Kardens' life, we investigate her past and how she came about going into the makeup industry. As she has faced hardships in finding her true passion, we examine her decision to not only pursue two bachelor's degrees but also graduate with makeup expertise.

Year

2022

Industry

Media Arts

Space of work

Shortfilm

Timeline

4 weeks

Man

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.

Retro Car
Woman Workout
Woman Workout

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.

Woman Workout

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.

Man Workout

Final Thoughts

The Impact of High-Concept Horror

The Impact of High-Concept Horror

This project was a deep dive into high-concept storytelling within a limited space. By balancing sterile production design with a frantic editorial pace and immersive sound, our team successfully captured the horror of an experiment gone wrong. The film's success was recognized within the SIAT program, where it was awarded Best Thriller for its effective use of tension, pacing, and visual storytelling.

This project was a deep dive into high-concept storytelling within a limited space. By balancing sterile production design with a frantic editorial pace and immersive sound, our team successfully captured the horror of an experiment gone wrong. The film's success was recognized within the SIAT program, where it was awarded Best Thriller for its effective use of tension, pacing, and visual storytelling.