Ring Ring
2024, captured by royel, topanga canyon
2024, captured by royel, post-filming, (not) topanga canyon
on a hazy evening in topanga canyon, 2024. we gathered at a hidden spot off old topanga canyon road, our hearts heavy with the weight of the year. armed with nothing but a borrowed camera and a prop in-n-out burger box, we set out to capture our raw emotions in a two-minute short film.
the air was thick with tension and unspoken feelings. sarah, my longtime crush, stood next to me, her presence both comforting and agonizing. we'd been friends for years, but something had shifted in the chaos of 2024. our little group of five, once inseparable, now felt fragile and uncertain.
as the camera rolled, we let our guards down. tears flowed freely as we confronted the pain, loss, and confusion that had defined our year. the prop burger box sat between us, a symbol of normalcy in a world that felt anything but normal.
we took turns sharing our deepest fears and hopes, our voices barely above whispers. the golden hour light painted everything in a bittersweet glow, matching our mood perfectly. in those fleeting moments, we were truly seen and heard.
when the two minutes were up, we sat in silence, overwhelmed by the intensity of what we'd just experienced. the short film we created that day never saw the light of day, but its impact lingered long after the camera stopped rolling.
as we packed up our makeshift set, i stole a glance at sarah. our eyes met, and in that moment, i knew things would never be the same. but maybe, just maybe, that wasn't such a bad thing.
5 takeaways from the post:
authentic emotions can create powerful art
friendships evolve and change, especially during challenging times
sometimes, the process of creating is more important than the final product
unspoken feelings can greatly impact group dynamics
seemingly ordinary objects (like a prop burger box) can become powerful symbols in the right context
-mitchell royel