"Hugging OCD" is a first-person short film that intimately explores Lua's daily journey with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In this story, Lua confronts her fears and seeks the support of her loved ones.
I proudly took on various roles in bringing this film to life – from directing and writing to editing, sound design, cinematography and even stepping into the character as an actor.
I proudly took on various roles in bringing this film to life – from directing and writing to editing, sound design, cinematography and even stepping into the character as an actor.
Check out the teaser below:
It involved around two months of work, with the main challenge being to shoot the film from a first-person perspective and create the illusion of a continuous, one-take sequence, discreetly hiding the cuts between scenes. We utilized a simple iPhone 12 along with a highly improvised duct-taped rig, aiming to fully immerse the viewer in Lua's perspective.
We also decided to experiment with some VFX using chroma-key with an immersive scene where Lua looks into a mirror without revealing the camera. To bring this concept to life, we improvised once again—attaching a green cardboard to the mirror and meticulously adjusting keyframes in After Effects to synchronize with the recording. This is the final result:
Due to the limited shooting schedule, careful planning for each scene was essential. I worked closely with Joana Lopes, the main actress, to create a detailed screenplay, ensuring the successful execution of our vision. The full screenplay is available in Portuguese:
Our team of three people is proud of the results. Individuals who struggle with OCD felt well-represented by the short film, and we raised awareness about the importance of closely related friends and family in helping fight against the disorder. The full 'Hugging OCD' can be watched here:
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