Dependent

Behind the Scenes

Dependent is a heartfelt meditation on the bond between two brothers, one who lives with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. It was made with a small team and lots of love, we wanted to bring Luke’s story to the screen.

I loved designing this short, it was a careful balance between establishing the parents’ home, with its distinct sense of style, and layering in the mess and chaos that reflects the boys’ presence while their parents are away. The boys’ mark on the space was seen in the miscellaneous objects around the house; dirty cups, clothes, books, games, toys, tea towels, a portable speaker and so on.

The goal of the design was to feel real and raw, and in that way, unnoticeable. I installed curtains, dressed the counter with small details, and put the water cooler in a prime position, chosen for its transparent blue. I unscrewed all the branding around the edge of the Velodrome, to limit visual distractions. (At the end of the day I put it all back up again.)

In the mood boarding of the project, I focused on the small details of the story world, exploring visual metaphors for their emotional impact. The mood board for the kitchen scene focused on key elements such as oil burning in the pan, scattered kitchen utensils and the remnants of chaotic cooking, demonstrating Julian’s struggle.