Concept

I Made You Up is a short film created for the Intro to Image and Sound course, where the challenge was to tell a coherent story without dialogue, relying on imagery and sound to convey narrative. The film centers on a romantic story with a twist, exploring the idea that some connections are built more on perception than reality. Using psychiatric medication as a metaphor, the narrative questions how people can idealize or “pedestalize” someone who may not exist as imagined, highlighting the unreliability of the narrator’s perspective in romantic relationships.

I made you up

Experience Goals

The goal of the project was to engage viewers in a reflective, interpretive experience. I wanted the audience to question how much of their own perceptions shape the reality of their relationships, and to recognize that the romanticized version of someone may exist primarily in the mind of the admirer. The film sought to provoke thought and encourage personal interpretation rather than providing a fixed narrative, creating a space for introspection on love, perception, and bias.

Inspiration

Inspiration came from romantic comedies and other media that often romanticize situations that, outside of context, might be far from ideal. I aimed to challenge this notion by creating a story that initially appears romantic but gradually reveals the tension between perception and reality. The intention was to subvert expectations while leaving room for the audience to interpret the story in their own way, creating multiple possible readings of the same narrative.

Development

The production of I Made You Up took place over two weeks. Filming and directing the actors were completed on various locations around the university and nearby areas, with a small, tightly coordinated crew.

Post-production included a week of editing to refine the sequence of shots, color correction, and pacing. Due to a loss of recorded audio from the camera, all sound was recorded separately in a studio and carefully synchronized with the visuals.

The final film was then screened in class and voted among the top five submissions, reflecting both the technical execution and the narrative impact of the work

Final Thoughts

This project was an invaluable introduction to working with live actors, real equipment, and a limited production crew. It highlighted how much effort goes into every stage of filmmaking, particularly in managing sound, directing performances, and coordinating logistics. The experience strengthened my video editing skills, enhanced my ability to tell stories visually, and deepened my appreciation for the collaborative nature of film production. For my first short film, I was extremely satisfied with the outcome and proud of having produced a narrative that engaged and challenged the audience.