To Keep Your Vital Organs Warm

A troubled young pianist is haunted by the memory of her contemptuous instructor as she practices.

  • Sophie Aguila
    Director
  • Sophie Aguila
    Writer
  • Jackson Sweeney
    Producer
  • Eva Lin Feindt
    Key Cast
    "Aria"
  • James Navan
    Key Cast
    "Evan"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Psychological, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 27, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,685 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Temple University
Director Biography - Sophie Aguila

Sophie Aguila is a Philadelphia-based student filmmaker, specializing in film production. Her passion revolves around showcasing multidimensional female characters, as well as blending fantastical elements with hyperrealism. She also works to showcase diverse community leaders through short-form documentaries. Sophie focuses on universal stories of art and humanity in her work. Sophie is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Narrative Directing at Temple University, where she is developing her 2024 senior thesis production. She is also in development for her first long-form documentary. Right now, she’s in pre-production for her junior thesis short film, To Keep Your Vital Organs Warm, which will be shot in Spring 2023.

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Director Statement

This short film revolves around the relationships artists form, specifically the dynamics between your mentors, your art, and yourself. It is difficult, especially at a young age, to separate others’ wishes from your own. The question I pose with this piece is this: where does art come from?

Before filmmaking, I studied classical piano throughout my childhood. I had a realization that in that moment the music, too, felt alive. I chased this feeling for long after, though determination alone never seemed to be enough to recreate the thrill. My drive was slowly taken advantage of by a former mentor to reconcile regrets and desires from their own artistic past.

After sharing this experience with fellow musicians and artists, many of my peers have experienced similar interactions with their teachers and had it impact their art moving forward. In my life, I found my way back to creativity and expression through filmmaking. The bond between a person and their art is unique and powerful, and I hope to act as a translator to portray this surreal feeling through cinematic storytelling.