Amy is excited about her first date with an online match, Jarrod. When they meet, he invites her into his home, setting off a series of alarming events. Later, Jarrod finds himself at the police station, facing a detective’s probing questions about Amy’s mysterious disappearance. The tense interaction leaves many questions hanging in the air. Unhinged takes the classic ‘first date gone wrong’ trope and adds a chilling twist evoking fear, anxiety and danger.

Pre-production began with an idea to play with the concept of psychological thriller themes and tropes surrounding dating and romance as well as the cunning nature of psychopaths displayed in these stories as charming, intelligent, harmless men who have a sinister underside. The script was written first then we designed a story board drawing out potential shots that aimed to evoke discomfort and suspicion. Our shot list came next which mapped out which scenes would include tableau shots, how we wanted each act to be framed and how we would use symmetry and techniques of balance to create an environment that was so perfect it is discomforting. Filming occurred in two different locations and times to which each team members collaborated and took on multiple roles while also having one primary production responsibility. Post-production was equally as collaborative with each group member active or present during editing, mixing and colour grading the final cut.

We had so much fun as a group making Unhinged. Creating this film as part of Visual Blueprint taught us how to make intentional films with professional cinematic techniques like the golden curve, while also embracing the nature of student films to which we used our own resources, skills and experience to make a film that has a piece of each group member. Each member has developed their own strengths as media producers as well as improved and learnt new skills from other group members. Every one of us is leaving Unhinged as a better media producer.