Private Project

Illuminated

Jasper and Selena have been together for 6 months and have yet to have sex. Selena’s not the problem but Jasper. He is uneasy at the idea of intimacy and seeks help from his friends to find out why. Ollie introduces him to Crystal. With her help he is able to come to the conclusion that he is A-sexual.

  • Samantha Ghost
    Director
  • Samantha Ghost
    Writer
  • Haley Tausinger
    Producer
  • Hunter Romanillos
    Key Cast
    "Jasper"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 24, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    300 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director - Samantha Ghost
Director Statement

Director’s Statement:
My Capstone project is entitled “Illuminated,”, and it is the story of a young man who comes to terms with the fact that he is not interested in sex, therefore discovering that he is asexual. Although Jasper has been with his girlfriend Selena for a while now, he doesn’t want to have sex with her, which begins to put a strain on their relationship. When he isn’t sure why he feels this way, he begins to wonder if something is wrong with him. But with the help of a new friend, Jasper realizes that he isn’t the only person in the world who feels this way. I’m inspired to make this film because I really want to dive into the topic of asexuality, as it is a subject matter that is very rare in the media. Approximately 1% of the population is asexual, and there are many people who either are not educated about what it truly means or don’t believe that it truly exists. I would like to make this film both to educate others about what it’s like to be asexual and to help bring more awareness to this subject so that it can be better understood and more discussed openly. Many people may be asexual but may not be able to properly come to terms with it due to such little knowledge of the topic, but a film like this may help them open their eyes and minds to what it is. The genre of my film is likely to be a slice-of-life, coming-of-age story, as it will be light and even a bit comical in some moments but still have serious and emotional aspects as well. I want it to feel raw and realistic, as if the audience is viewing Jasper and the others as their own friends in real life. However, I also want the audience to be able to sympathize with Jasper, possibly even being able to relate with him in both similar and different ways. Many of us struggle with self-identity somehow, and sometimes finding the proper label makes things feel a lot clearer to us. Aesthetically, I would like this film to have cool colors, as well as having an almost vintage feel to it. What comes to mind is the aesthetic of Stranger Things, with some dull tones but bright colors and filtered lenses that stand out to the eye and make the film look very visually appealing. I imagine the diner scene to be especially vintage, with neon signs and colorful furniture/decorations in the background. I would like to have the darker tones eventually lead into lighter tones by the end of the film, therefore supporting its title “Illuminated” and representing Jasper’s clarity of mind. My intended audience for this film is likely to be both teens and young adults, as these are the ages when people are most likely still coming to terms with their true identities. I hope that this film inspires anyone else struggling with doubts about who they are to be open to different ideas and feelings and to be accepting of others and sexualities of all kinds.