"Imaginary" Short Film

"Imaginary" is a short film by Ian Sweeney & Resonate Productions.

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THE FILM:

Chloe is consumed by loneliness. She lives alone, works from home and is mourning the mysterious disappearance of her housemate Brenda. So when her therapist suggests a course of psychotropics that will manifest an imaginary friend to keep her company, Chloe decides to give it a go. Her imaginary companion is called Dan. He’s friendly and caring. It turns out that Dan is exactly what Chloe needed. He inspired her to take better care of herself and re-ignites a spark in her. They get on so well that their friendship quickly turns into love and Chloe soon finds herself in a relationship with an imaginary lover. However, things take a turn for the worst when Dan becomes resentful of the time Chloe spends working. And try as he might, he cannot get Chloe to reveal what happened to Brenda. Feeling increasingly isolated, Dan starts taking Chloe’s medication and manifests his own imaginary friend. Their situation gets even more complicated when Chloe discovers she’s pregnant with Dan’s baby.

WHY THIS STORY, AND WHY NOW?

There’s an epidemic of loneliness out there. Recent studies have shown that loneliness increases the risk of serious disease by up to 26%. In fact, a lack of human connection could be as harmful as 15 cigarettes a day. And yet loneliness is still a social taboo. This film aims to shine a light on the issue of loneliness in a way that’s surreal, but poignant. Bizarre, but relatable. Fun, but thought provoking. 

THE ASK

This is a self-funded project. Well, almost. We're paying for most of the expenses ourselves, but are trying to raise $10,000 to help fund post-production (edit, grade, sound mix) and festival submissions. All donors will be credited in our super sexy credits sequence. And we'll see you at the premiere.

THE CAST

• Jen Van Epps (M3GAN, Don’t Make Me Go, One Lane Bridge)
• Matt Whelan (Narcos, The Tank, The Luminaries)
• Kira Josephson (Kid Sister, M3GAN, The Good Wife)
• Phil Brown (Mystic, One Lane Bridge)
• Ben Freeth (RENT, Little Shop of Horrors, Jersey Boys - The Court Theatre)
• Karen Evans
• Niko Allen

THE CREATIVE TEAM

• Writer & Director - Ian Sweeney  
• Executive Producer - Arthur Machado
• Director of Photography - Simon Waterhouse
• 1st Assistant Director - Jordan Mauger
• 1st Assistant Camera - Jake Stanton
• 2nd Assistant Camera - Meg Stickings
• Production Coordinators - Julie Chandelier & Penny Westwood
• Sound Operator - Jake Slaney
• Boom Operator - Eilish Overweg
• Hair & Make-up - Kristen Stewart
• Art Director - Josephine Meachen
• Art Assistants - Merle Köthemann & Shelley Sweeney
• Intimacy Coordinator - Kira Josephson
• Gaffer - Simeon Hogan
• Best Boy - Daz Lovelady
• Original score - Rory Evans Fee & Hamish McKenzie
• Editor - Liddy Whiteman
• Graphics - McCarthy Design

LOCATION

Ōtautahi Christchurch.