Salt Water Sympathy
Mr. Lobster visits a long lost friend.
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Dhara WrightDirectorThe Butterfly
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Dhara WrightWriter
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Dhara WrightProducer
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Natasha ColemanProducer
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James Silk-TylerKey Cast"Mr Lobster"
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Hector MillerKey Cast"Jeremy T. Oyster"
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Hector MillerDirector of Photography
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Natasha ColemanProduction Designer
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Eilidh NicollCrustacean Heads made bySilvering
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Isolda MilenkovicCrustacean Heads made by
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Kian BradshawFirst AC/ Camera Operator
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James Silk-TylerWardrobe Stylist
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:comedy, drama, super8
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Runtime:3 minutes
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Completion Date:March 31, 2023
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Production Budget:600 GBP
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Country of Origin:United Kingdom
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Country of Filming:United Kingdom
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Super 8
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Aspect Ratio:1.85:1
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
Dhara is a Canadian filmmaker living and working in London. Salt Water Sympathy is Dhara’s third short film, all of which have combined whimsical characters, practical effects, and dark comedy. Her last film, The Butterfly, was a part of the BFI Future film festival as well as winning awards at the RTS East Student Awards. Dhara currently works for a production company in East London, and helps run Deeper Into Movies, screening movies and events all over London.
Salt Water Sympathy was made as a part of Straight 8 2023. Shot using a single roll of Super 8, no editing, all in camera, with a musical score composed blind. A huge task to undertake, especially as we are a team of seven, and only had four weeks from conception to delivery! It was a massive sprint to get it accomplished, but it was some of the most fun I’ve had putting a film together. We had to wait three months before seeing the film, which was potentially the most stressful part of the whole process. I had no idea if the camera had worked, if the film had been developed properly, or if the music matched the shots. It was so magical finally seeing how great it turned out. I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished, the images look exactly how I had pictured them, from the costumes and props, to the locations, and the quality of the Super 8 film.
The story itself combines sentimental whimsy, themes of death and loss, and gives real feelings to fictional children's characters. This film makes you feel nostalgic even though it's not a real time or place. I love combining realism and fantasy in my films, and I guess my trademark has become personifying animals. My first film had a butterfly man, the second had seal women, and now we have crustaceans in vests!