Private Project

Escapism

Escapism follows Lake, a bright student who seems to have every door open to her, but whose focused pursuit of her studies begins contributing to a sense of disconnect from reality. She finds solace in a kindred spirit, but their shared search for connection ends up driving them further from it. Escapism is a tale of depression in young adults and the escapist tendencies used to cope with it.

  • Vanessa Wenzel
    Director
    Auryon, The Weather, Snowshoe & Monster Pilot
  • Vanessa Wenzel
    Writer
    Auryon
  • Vanessa Wenzel
    Producer
    Auryon, The Weather
  • Elaine Yang
    Producer
    Auryon, The Weather
  • Shelby Cox-Dersch
    Key Cast
    "Lake"
  • Bryson Wiese
    Key Cast
    "Miles"
    Auryon
  • Stella Minae-Park
    Camera
  • Amelia Kaine
    Camera
  • Stephanie Muir
    Grip
  • Michael Prachynsky
    Grip
  • Adam Kostiuk
    Grip
  • Peter Kominek
    Set Dec
  • Lydia Adair
    Set Dec
  • Jonelle Belcourt
    Production Assistance
  • Jane Zhou
    Production Assistance
  • Victoria McNair
    Hair & Make-Up
  • Sandi Somers
    Mentors
  • Nina Staum
    Mentors
  • Nina Sudra
    Mentors
  • Amelia Allen
    Mentors
  • Alexis Moar
    Mentors
  • Ron Oswald
    Mentors
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Psychological
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 6, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    1,800 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Shooting Format:
    DSLR
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Stinger Awards
    Calgary, AB
    Canada
    Best Editor Nominee
Director Biography - Vanessa Wenzel

Vanessa Wenzel is a born and raised Calgarian with a BA in Film Studies & Drama Minor from the University of Calgary. After graduation, Vanessa founded Prairie Kitten Productions alongside several other graduates, in order to produce films written and directed by Albertan women. Vanessa's directing credits include Auryon (2017; Berlin Flash Film Festival; Vancouver Badass Film Festival), The Weather (2018; Directors' Cut Int'l Film Festival), Snowshoe & Monster Ep. 1 (2017), and The Stand Up (2019), with Escapism being her second writing credit. She is a trainee with the International Cinematographer's Guild 669 and is passionate about acting and photography. Vanessa would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Sandi Somers and all of the sponsors, mentors, volunteers, and fellow filmmakers that have been part of the Herland journey, and without whom this film would not have been possible.

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