The project

Hello, my name is Julia Schrepfer. I am a writer and producer, and I am reaching out to bring my next film to life. Tear of Hearts is my graduation project for JMC Academy, a film school located in Brisbane, and it stands as one of the most emotional works I have ever created.

This psychological thriller explores themes of trauma, transformation, and identity, this film is deeply personal and reflects the stories that move me the most.

With Tear of Hearts, I aim to craft a film that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant.

I am currently seeking funding to bring this vision to life with the depth, care, and artistic integrity it deserves.

Logline

Longing for freedom from his abusive father, a fragile 19-year-old Leo, begins receiving visions of killing his parents. Through haunting hallucinations of the girl next door, Chloe, he discovers the courage to overcome his own mind; ultimately carrying out the murders that will set him free.

Story

Leo, a 19-year-old trapped under his drunk father’s abuse, longs for freedom. He begins seeing violent visions of killing his parents, visions that feel both terrifying and liberating. As he obsesses over Chloe, the girl next door, she appears in his hallucinations as a guiding, comforting presence. These visions slowly reshape his identity, convincing him that escape is only possible through blood. In the end, Leo kills his parents, believing it is the only way to finally set himself free.

Target Audience

The film primarily targets young adults aged 18 to 24, both women and men, who are drawn to psychological thrillers and fascinated by the complexity of the human mind. This short film shares thematic similarities with Joker, appealing to audiences who enjoy stories that explore inner conflict, transformation, and the darkness within. Given the success of Joker and the public’s continued interest in character-driven psychological narratives, I am confident that my film will resonate deeply with its audience and find its own success.

Personal Connection

I have always been fascinated by complex and unusual minds, always wanting to understand what drives them. My favorite characters of all time, Anakin Skywalker and the Joker, both explore that fragile line between pain, transformation, and madness. Inspired by them, I wanted to create my own “different-minded” character: Leo. I’ve also been inspired by the film MOTHER! By Darren Aronofsky which conveys an amazing sense of change and torment.

I decided to make Leo 19 years old, the same age as me, becoming an adult comes with an intense period of change ; you begin to question yourself, redefine who you are, and try to adapt to your new identity. As I am currently experiencing this transition, I can deeply relate to Leo’s inner struggles. Although I do not share the same trauma he goes through, I believe I can tell his story truthfully. Curiosity, empathy, and a genuine interest in understanding psychological depth are, to me, key to portraying such a character with authenticity.

Visual Style

I want the film to have a strong contrast between light and shadow, symbolizing the emotional state of the main character. The light represents where Leo is heading : freedom and peace, while the shadow reflects the horror and oppression he is currently trapped in.

Most scenes will take place at night, with blue as the dominant colour tone. Blue carries many emotional meanings: it can express sadness and loneliness : Leo’s state at the beginning. But also calm and serenity, which he ultimately reaches at the end of his transformation. To show a difference in the blues, we would be using smoke. The use of smoke will be used when Leo starts being at peace with himself and reveal who he really is.

I want the audience to feel deeply connected to the characters, especially Leo. To achieve this, I will experiment with close-ups, different angles, lenses, and compositions to visually translate their emotions. The use of fisheye lenses, Dutch angles, extreme close-ups and off-balance composition will reflect Leo’s distorted perception and internal chaos, immersing the viewer in his psychological world. POV shots will also enhance the deep connection with the character.

Like the camera, the editing will play a key role in expressing the characters’ mental states. The film will start slowly, reflecting Leo’s confusion and the audience’s uncertainty. As his visions and flashbacks intensify, the rhythm will accelerate. The editing style will evolve throughout the film, creating a sense of unpredictability and keeping the audience engaged. An irregular rhythm will also emphasize Leo’s instability and transformation.

Why contribute?

As emerging filmmakers, we are committed to bringing Tear Of Hearts to life with the boldness and energy it deserves. Achieving our funding goal of $4,000 will allow us to fully realize our creative vision and produce the film at the standard it demands.

How would the money be distributed?

The majority of the budget will be dedicated to these two essential elements:

The heart of Tear of Hearts lies in its characters, and to bring them to life, we need exceptional actors. While the story is straightforward, its emotional depth demands performers who can shift seamlessly between contrasting emotions. The characters drive the narrative, and their portrayal must be precise, nuanced, and compelling to fully convey the intensity and complexity of the story.

Equally vital is the production design, which shapes the visual world of the film. Tear of Hearts is set in a family home : cozy, familiar, and comforting, a stark contrast to the unsettling truths the story reveals. Every detail of the environment will heighten the tension, deepen the audience’s immersion, and make the familiar feel charged with unexpected intensity.

Thank you

Thank you for stepping into the world of Tear of Hearts with us. Every contribution, every share, every word of encouragement brings this story closer to life. Together, we are not just making a film, we are creating a world, giving voice to emotions, and illuminating truths that resonate long after the screen goes dark.

Your support is the spark that will turn vision into reality. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in this journey, and for helping us bring Tear of Hearts to life.

Social Media Links

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/tear_of_hearts/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/share/1HGVyJep3w/