James McVitty - DP & Colourist

Roles: Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, VFX, Sound

Premiered 2022

Short Film

Finn hides a panic attack from his girlfriend Olivia. In his vulnerable state, he struggles to reach out for help from under the weight of his anxious episode, and ultimately alienates the person who cares for him the most.

Deep Down has been screened in theatres and online as part of a number of film festivals. It was initially shot as a film school assessment task, and was later recut and finished with new sound design, an updated score and a fresh colour grade. I'm very proud of what the film became in the end.

Deep Down is a film that attempts to visualise a panic attack and the residual effects they can have on those we care about.

It's an exploration of how the act of opening up about trauma to someone you're close with can be complicated by the anxiety that stems from feeling vulnerable.

I wanted to show how even good intentions, where one might try to encourage someone to open up to them, can be overwhelming to someone who's not quite ready to be that vulnerable.

Starring Sunny S Walia and Barbara Chung

Writer and Director: James McVitty

Producers: Jacob Hayde, James McVitty

Director of Photography & Colourist: Tyler Mace

Editors: Niklas Malkin, James McVitty

Original Score by: Felix Bridie

First Assistant Director: Julian Pitrone

Second Assistant Director: Ruby Strachan

First Assistant Camera: Teagan Harris

Second Assistant Camera: Braden Camileri

Gaffer: Niklas Malkin

Key Grip: Harrison Stamatelatos

Grip & Electric: Callum Thomas, Blair Stellato

Production Sound: Jacob Hayde, Blair Stellato

Hair & Makeup: Marjore Montanari

Set Dressing: Lauren Cosshall

Production Assistant: Nicola Brooke

I would like to acknowledge the people of Boonwurrung, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which this project was produced, and to pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging. This was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

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