In the Face of Adversity - Short Documentary

Hello my name is Jesse Telfer. I am the director of this project. I am raising funds for my short student documentary about my journey in the ICU from last December. Below is the outline, logline, synopsis, visual style and potential scenes.

Outline

"In the Face of Adversity" is a short documentary about a young adult’s journey through a life-threatening upper respiratory infection. The film highlights his hope, resilience, and the transformative power of overcoming such a crisis. Facing death head-on allows him to reflect on his emotions, acknowledge his growth, and connect with those who cared for him. It also provides an emotional release as he shares his feelings and experiences.

At its core, the documentary explores how health emergencies can profoundly affect an individual, focusing on the themes of adapting to adversity and trauma. Through a chronological narrative, Jesse guides us through his experience, revealing how he confronted and adapted to the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of his ICU battle.

Logline:

In the midst of a life-threatening respiratory infection, a young adult confronts the harrowing realities of an ICU stay, battling not only for his life but also to uncover the depths of his resilience and the transformative power of hope in the darkest moments.

Synopsis:

In the Face of Adversity re-counts Jesse’s journey in the ICU battling a life-threatening respiratory infection in the ICU. During his 3 week stay, he confronts physical, mental and emotional challenges that test his limits. Jesse discovers the power of hope and resilience, revealing his transformative journey. He reflects on his emotions, acknowledges his growth and feelings, and connects with the ones who supported him as his parents assemble the missing pieces lost from sedation. This journey not only highlights the struggles Jesse endured but also the strength that emerges from vulnerability, this is illustrated through reenactments and interviews with himself and family members. Highlighting the profound impact of perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.

Visual Style:

In the Face of Adversity aims to capture the ups and downs of Jesse’s journey through re-enactments. We will immerse the audience in Jesse’s story using point-of-view shots that place them in his shoes. To enhance this experience, we plan to use a Lensbaby Sweet 50 lens, which creates a distinctive blur that reflects Jesse’s weary vision and state of mind.

We will incorporate close-ups of oxygen monitors, IV bags, oxygen masks, and large life support machines to underscore the severity of his illness. These intimate close-ups will also focus on the tears in Jesse’s eyes and the handholding between him and his parents, drawing the audience closer to both Jesse and his family.

In the hospital re-enactments, we plan to use a handheld camera technique to convey the jarring nature and rapid changes that can occur in a hospital setting. Additionally, we will contrast the lighting between the re-enactments and the interviews. The re-enactments will feature cold, uninviting lighting to accurately represent the stark realities of a hospital, while the interviews will gradually become warmer and more inviting as positive news about Jesse’s journey unfolds, utilizing a soft tungsten light.

Potential Scenes:

Potential scenes that can be seen in this documentary include a scene where Jesse is being sedated from the POV of laying face up on the bed as we see nurses work with medical instruments to put him to sleep.

A powerful moment between Jesse and his father as they stare at each other as tears fill their eyes, whilst their hands grip tighter showcasing Jesse and his parents connections.

Seeing Jesse slowly gain his mobility as he gets up off his chair and uses a walker by himself showcasing his strength and recovery

Having Jesse mentally freaking out in his bed as the noises around him heighten, until he takes a deep breath, the room goes silent showcasing his anxiety and what he needed to do to control it.

Showcasing Jesse in a wide shot with absolutely nothing around except for himself and the terrifying noises heard in a hospital to highlight his loneliness in the middle of the night.

Your contribution would mean the world to us and play a crucil role in transforming our stories into reality. 100% of all donations go directly toward essential production expenses such as location, props, costumes, crew meal, transportation and other vital resources. Thank you for considering supporting our creative journey!

Please do not hesitate to share this with your friends, colleagues, and family.

Thank you for being a part of this journey!

Jesse Telfer, Director