“Robin Goes Outside” Short Film

An expressionistic, frenetic comedy filmmaking thesis in film studies for Wesleyan's College of Film and the Moving Image.



Collaborators
See credits below

Overview

I was one of 21 film majors at Wesleyan who each created a short film for their thesis, despite the program's theoretical focus. For us, fall semester focused on digital film production and screenwriting, with two shooting weekends. Spring term concentrated on post-production.

I love stories where unconventional direction mirrors characters' inner struggles. In "Krisha," swirling camerawork transforms Thanksgiving into chaos, while "Punch-Drunk Love" uses abstract visuals and disorienting sound to channel its protagonist's anxiety. I aimed to bring similar artistic elements here.

The thesis films were screened to a jury of 5 unaffiliated professors, including AFI board emeritus Jeanine Basinger, and 3 anonymous industry professionals. I received honors and the Frank Capra Prize “for creating a senior film that is fully cinematic and uses the tools of filmmaking at the highest level,” and for “exemplifying Capra's skill in telling a human story that contains both humor and pathos.”