Experiencing Interruptions?

Compulsion

A novice filmmaker begins to struggle with coming to terms with "acting on impulse" when he starts to have a romantic interest in a fellow upperclassman. SHOT ON URSA.

  • James Aksel
    Director
  • James Aksel
    Writer
  • Jordyn Sievers
    Producer
  • Joey Miranda
    Key Cast
    "Lucas Tebay"
  • Autumn Foster
    Key Cast
    "Sarah"
  • Kaylee Wing
    Key Cast
    "Olivia"
  • Lauren Reyes
    Post-Production/Editing
  • Nicolas Tung
    Post-Production/Editing
  • Josh Samet
    Post-Production/Editing
  • Nicolas Tung
    Director of Photography
  • Nicolas Tung
    Camera Operators
  • James Aksel
    Camera Operators
  • Jordyn Sievers
    Camera Operators
  • Jason George
    Camera Operators
  • Jordyn Sievers
    1st Assistant Camera
  • Jason George
    2nd 1st Assistant Camera
  • Allyson Weisel
    Assistant Director
  • Amya Iannone
    Grip & Electric
  • Amya Iannone
    2nd Assistant Camera/Clapperloader
  • Hailey Featherston
    Assistant Producer
  • Frank Alvarez
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Jason George
    Assistant Gimbal Operator
  • Kaylee Smith
    Assistant Gimbal Operator
  • Nicolas Tung
    UAV Operator
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student, Other
  • Genres:
    Romance, Comedy, Drama, High School, Teen, RomCom, Short
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 10, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    45,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, URSA, ProRes, Super35
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - El Dorado High School
  • El Dorado Film Festival
    Placentia, California
    United States
    May 4, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - James Aksel

I am currently a student filmmaker in the Digital Media Arts Academy (DMAA) at El Dorado High School in Fullerton, CA.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Compulsion, “an irresistible urge to behave in a certain way” is the key driving factor in this
story. In this short film, we see the protagonist begin to battle with this idea as they learn to
adapt to love life within high school. This character feels held back by their emotions and their
passions.
This is a romcom style love story based on fictional events happening within our very own film
class. We get to see how filmmaking can be used to bring people together; and yet also how it
can tear them apart. Where is the line drawn on what can and cannot be made within film? In
other words, within this project, we will make a film about some of the problems that are faced
when making a film. And then when the compulsion kicks in... things get really awkward for the
characters.