
Reflections - A Short Film about Masking
With zero trace of who he is, a lost Jake finds a package at his front door, containing what could ultimately change his life.

What is Reflections?
Reflections is my Final Year Project: a solo-produced short film blending drama and horror, exploring the psychological theme of masking, how people hide their true emotions, and the long-term damage it can cause.

Why Masking?
Masking is a real and often overlooked issue that affects many young people, especially within academic and social environments. As someone who understands the pressures of fitting in, I wanted to tell a story that reflects this internal conflict in a creative yet digestible way.
Reflections serves as a visual metaphor for emotional suppression, framed through horror elements that heighten the tension and isolation.

Before Reflections…
The project was originally titled Eclipse, a more abstract take where Jake, overwhelmed and distressed, uses a cursed mask to silence his emotions, gradually pushing everyone away. However, early in production, significant challenges, including scheduling setbacks and scope limitations, forced a complete re-evaluation.
I restructured the story and shifted to a solo-produced model, turning limitations into strengths. This evolution gave birth to Reflections, a more focused and personal film that leans into its intimate, psychological tone.

How It Was Made
“I’m thinking of making a film focused on identity, and how mental health affects that, and how it changes one person’s perception of the world.”
- Luke Tolkachov
Phase One
Phase One was a 12-week pre-production process entirely focused on researching, discussing, and planning a chosen theme.
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