1 upvotes, 2 direct replies (showing 2)
View submission: student film help
i’ve got a story in mind but my main goal is to be respectful
Comment by RaiderDub24 at 02/02/2025 at 23:49 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
That's a great place to start. My main advice would be to make yourself VERY familiar with TTIs, read the books, the history, sub reddits of survivors. And keep that word "survivor" in mind over victim. There is no question many or most of us were victimized, but more importantly, we survived.
My next point may differ from some others in this reddit, but the filmmaker in me says it's the right move. Don't pull any punches. I'll give you an example from my own life: I was abused at a TTI "facility" At the same time, I was violent towards other kids, I was violent on the streets and juvenile hall. Now, did my environment play a role in that? Of course it did, but to tell an honest story of my time at a TTI, I have to be honest about some not so great things I did. TTI survivors are imperfect and flawed like anyone else, so I think the right move, that is both respectful and honest, is to ensure that your main character has an actual character arc, and that they are not just someone things are happening to and around, but someone who has a lot of agency, especially as you progress into the second and third act.
I know with short films it is sometimes difficult to construct a true arc, but you could start the film just as that transformation is taking place, and at least reference past mistakes by the character. And use the change in the characters mindset to demonstrate how they are different from their "captors" so to speak
Comment by RaiderDub24 at 03/02/2025 at 03:45 UTC
1 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Also, i apologize if any of my advice or unsolicited or goes against your plan, I know what it's like when people offer advice about your film lol