Experiencing Interruptions?

Butterflies

Annabelle Johnson's peaceful day at the library is ruined when a man walks in with a gun. Now suffering from PTSD and unable to function in the real world, Annabelle signs up for a new age virtual reality experiment meant to "cure" anxiety. However, the simulation isn't what Annabelle expected, and she quickly finds herself trapped inside of it with no way out. With only Caden (another participant) to help her, will Annabelle manage to find a way to exit the experiment? Or will her anxiety get the better of her, keeping her trapped there forever?

  • Melissa Bennett
    Director
  • Alison Rose
    Producer
  • Melissa Bennett
    Writer
  • Anna Rizzo
    Key Cast
  • Dario Sanchez
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 8, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    42,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Adrienne Shelly Foundation
    Boston, MA
    United States
    March 25, 2016
    Adrienne Shelly Production Grant
  • The Redstones (Boston)
    Boston
    United States
    March 30, 2018
    2nd Place
  • The Redstones (Los Angeles)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 13, 2018
    1st Place & Best Screenplay
Director Biography - Melissa Bennett

Melissa Bennett is a writer, artist, and indie filmmaker hailing from Carteret County, North Carolina. She has a double B.A. from Syracuse University in History and Television, Radio, Film and an M.F.A. from Boston University in Film Production. Prior to attending Boston University, Melissa taught filmmaking to teenagers in Carteret County. Their group – Miles From Nowhere – produced three mini-series, two sixty- minute movies, and a host of short films. They also inspired Melissa’s love of teaching, which led her to pursue her Masters degree. Her most recent short film and thesis film, “Butterflies” – currently in post production – won an Adrienne Shelly Foundation production grant for its script. When she’s not working on scripts or making films, Melissa spends her time writing and creating art. She loves Young Adult literature and is currently working on a fiction book series tentatively titled “The Dreaming Realms” – a fantasy YA/Adult crossover. Melissa has been creating all kinds of 3D art since high school, but she most recently fell in love with the art of book folding and 3D paper crafts (mainly because she’s an avid book lover and a big fan of origami). She loves recycling old books and turning them into works of art. She also finds the process relaxing and sees it as a form of meditation. Melissa is currently working on a YouTube channel. For more information – or to check out her work – please visit her at melibeeproductions.com.

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