Dreamscape – Short Film

In the thought-provoking Sci-Fi drama, “Dreamscape,” a seemingly ordinary day takes a chilling turn for Stella, a devoted housewife played by Michelle Procopio, as she finds herself alone in her home, her husband mysteriously missing. What should have been a peaceful day turns into a nightmare when the house starts to malfunction, and eerie, unexplained sounds begin to haunt her every move.

As Stella grapples with the unsettling events unfolding within her home, an unexpected and long-lost presence reenters her life – her estranged daughter, Julia, portrayed by Julia Gustafson. Their tumultuous history casts a shadow over their reunion, but as Stella and Julia attempt to reconcile, the enigmatic sounds within the house grow louder and more menacing.

Julia appears to hold secrets of her own, her knowledge of the eerie sounds hinting at a deeper connection to the inexplicable occurrences. When Stella presses her daughter for answers, Julia remains tight-lipped, leaving Stella in a state of profound unease.

“Dreamscape” is a heart-wrenching exploration of the intricate bonds within a family, highlighting the importance of forgiveness, reconciliation, and the power of saying the things left unsaid. In a story that blurs the line between science fiction and the profound depths of human emotion, “Dreamscape” challenges us to confront our own relationships, reminding us that it is never too late to heal old wounds and find closure before the echoes of the heart fade away.

Goal

This project marked Truopio Productions’ inaugural venture into short narrative filmmaking. With a clear objective to debut at the Orlando Independent Filmmakers Jolt Challenge, hosted at the AMC theater in Altamonte Springs, FL, our mission at Truopio is rooted in exploring intricate family dynamics and amplifying the voices of the underrepresented. In a departure from our usual storytelling, we aimed to push our creative boundaries by crafting a family-centric narrative within the framework of science fiction.

Our primary aspiration was to engage the audience with a narrative that resonated with relatable family dynamics, while concurrently provoking thought about how these dynamics might evolve within the context of groundbreaking technology, akin to the distinctive futuristic perspectives showcased in the acclaimed series “Black Mirror.”

Approach

The Orlando Independent Filmmakers (OIF) challenge presented us with the strict constraint of a 9-minute runtime, forcing us to make meticulous choices in crafting our narrative. To optimize this limited timeframe, we opted to confine the story predominantly to a single location, with the final scene shot at a distinct second location. This deliberate juxtaposition between our fabricated reality and true reality served as a thematic anchor for our film.

In pursuit of this vision, we selected a Blackmagic 6K Pro camera package paired with Sigma Anamorphic Lenses. Our rationale behind this choice was to leverage the anamorphic lenses within the house, where Stella grapples with the isolation of her missing husband and eerie noises. This decision aimed to visually emphasize the vast, lonely atmosphere within the house. Furthermore, it allowed us to seamlessly transition to a spherical lens package when we ventured into the dream lab, symbolizing the shift from a technology-facilitated dream state into the real world within an enclosed dream lab setting. The subtle aspect ratio change accentuated this transition, while the distorted edges of the frame, courtesy of the anamorphic lenses, added an element of uncertainty, subtly hinting at a reality beyond our conventional understanding.

Cast & Crew

Cast

Stella Michelle Procopio

Julia Julia Gustafson

Doctor Jason True

Nurse Karen Brazelton

Lab Tech Anastasiia Bratchenko

Lab Tech Evan Hufferd

Lab Tech Sabrina White

Lab Tech Allen Barney

Lab Tech Bayley True

Crew

Director Robin Hofmann

Story By Jordan True & Jason True

Director of Photography Greg Mohn

Produced by Jason True & Jordan True

Original Score by Nathan Raught

Editor Greg Mohn

1st AD Brian T Thorndike

Sound Recordist Tristan Ortiz

Production Design Uriel Leite

Script Supervisor Shawn Lowe

Prop Builder Kevin Kedgley

Hair & Makeup Bayley True

1st AC Kyle Burns & Luis Acosta

Gaffer Nate Madden

Grip D.J. Lorence

PA/BTS Videographer Wilby Aristil

BTS Photographer Thais Cardoso De Moraes

Special Thanks:

Nadya Borno & David Miller – Location in Clermont FL

Matt Kent – Stella’s Husband in family photos

Jim & Barbara True – Investors

Results

The film premiered at the Orlando Independent Filmmakers JOLT Challenge Film Festival on November 5th, 2023. The film received 9 award nominations including Best Picture.

Nominations:

Best Picture – Dreamscape, Best Director – Robin Hofmann, Best Cinematography – Greg Mohn

Best Story – Jason True & Jordan True, Best Music – Nathan Raught

Best Lead Actress – Michelle Procopio, Best Supporting Actress – Julia Gustafson

Best Editor – Greg Mohn, Best Production Design – Uriel Leite

The film went on to win in two categories.

Wins:

Best Lead Actress – Michelle Procopio

Best Supporting Actress – Julia Gustafson

American Golden Film Festival – December 2022

Winner – Best Lead Actress – Michelle Procopio – Dreamscape

Hollywood’s Monthly Film Festival – December 2022