The film follows Ellie and Charlie, a couple whose opposite work schedules leave them only a shared bathroom to connect. As they dream of a vacation together, financial stress begins to strain both their plans and their relationship
(Feature) Writer — Director — Editor — Sound Designer
(About the project)The film grew from my own experience of living within limits – physically, emotionally, financially
Occupied explores the quiet tension of modern relationships. How love endures through exhaustion, financial pressure and the slow erosion of shared time. It’s about two people trying to stay connected within life’s smallest spacesSo the story explores how intimacy shifts when those limits close in. It also reflects my interest in portraying human deepest connection through routine, repetition and the overlooked details of everyday life.
“Occupied!” poster
(Preproduction)The film was shot in my dormitory, turning the small space into both a set and a narrative engine
This was my graduation project, a chamber film shot almost entirely in one small bathroom, using two actors, minimal lighting and two fixed camera angles. The confined setting created intimacy and realism, allowing tension to unfold naturallyFilmed in four days, the production was made possible through crowdfunding and a multicultural student crew. I served as writer, director, producer, editor and sound designer, shaping every stage from pre-production to post
Storyboard
Look-ReferenceVibe-Reference
(Behind The Scenes)The film was shot in my dormitory, turning the small space into both a set and a narrative engine
This was my graduation project, a chamber film shot almost entirely in one small bathroom, using two actors, minimal lighting and two fixed camera angles. The confined setting created intimacy and realism, allowing tension to unfold naturallyFilmed in four days, the production was made possible through crowdfunding and a multicultural student crew. I served as writer, director, producer, editor and sound designer, shaping every stage from pre-production to post
(VFX & Post-Production)All visual effects mentioned were created directly in the same editing software to keep the process streamlined, efficient and cohesive
Subtle VFX supported the realism, from animating an alarm clock and updating a calendar on the wall to creating seamless inserts for whiteboard notes and postcard. These elements helped maintain cohesive narrative continuity while preserving the film’s grounded toneEditing and color correction were done in Premiere Pro, while nearly all environmental sounds were rebuilt from scratch to heighten immersion. The original score by Said blends soft electronic textures with warm melodies, echoing the film’s mixture of intimacy and tension
(Acknowledgements)Produced during the MA Filmmaking programme at Kingston University.
With thanks to Kingston University, the film crew, cast and tutors for their support throughout development, production and post-production.