“Smothered”
a short film by Kathryn Baylor
This film was shot for a Digital Video & Production class during my undergraduate program at Milligan University.
Unfortunately, during the week I was supposed to shoot, I was exposed to COVID and went home to quarantine. It was shot in and around my parent’s rental house while I was in quarantine. I was very focused on the aesthetics of this film, especially the color palette; there are lots of pinks, oranges, and blues. This project was heavily influenced by Stranger Than Paradise (1984) and its use of long takes.
While it is not what I planned, I am still very proud of several shots in this film.
Below are excerpts from the film and screenplay.
Read the Script
Opening
1. EXT. CREEK/RIVER. GOLDEN HOUR.
ALYNDA sits with her toes in the water painting the scene before her. She is wearing a white dress and has flowers in her hair. NATURE NOISES. The mood is overall peaceful and contentment.
Alynda finishes her painting for the night as the sun begins to set. She packs up her supplies and heads home.
Slow fade to black.
Read the Script
INT. ALYNDA’S HOUSE. CLEAN KITCHEN. LATER THAT AFTERNOON.
Alynda is washing dishes. When she finishes, she heads outdoors.
EXT. ALYNDA’S HOUSE. PATIO. SAME TIME THAT AFTERNOON.
Alynda walks outside. She sits at the patio table and lights a cigarette. She smokes it slowly, contemplates the phone call she received that morning. Once done with the cigarette she throws it on the ground and steps on it, putting it out.
Read the Script
INT. ALYNDA’S HOUSE. CLUTTERED KITCHEN/DINING ROOM. LATER THAT EVENING.
Alynda sits down at a table prepared for one. She eats slowly. Suddenly she feels very nauseous and runs from the table.
INT. ALYNDA’S HOUSE. BATHROOM. SAME TIME THAT EVENING.
Alynda runs to the bathroom almost shutting the bathroom door all the way behind her. We hear her getting SICK. Inside the bathroom, she leans against the toilet and wipes her mouth on her sleeve. She has a moment of rest before getting SICK again. As if respecting her privacy, the camera pans back and the bathroom door closes.
