NICHOLAS | During my time at the University of Colorado at Boulder, I was given the opportunity to explore my fascination with filmmaking. As an outsider and someone who had never been on a real set, the mystical nature of the industry captivated me. I found movies about movies to be extremely compelling and I couldn’t get enough of them. 

Specifically, Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood  was marketing its release and it fell right within the scope of my obsession. The idea of an actor undergoing an identity crisis intrigued me and brought me to the idea of a method actor ultimately losing touch with reality. This, coupled with film industry and cult themes, gave way to this story. 

Flash forward to this past summer, Spencer and I met during the dead of the strike to discuss options for creative work. With the knowledge I gained from working in the industry over the last two years and consultation from our colleague, Doug Hannah, I rewrote Psychosis with an emphasis on the pressures of working in the film industry and the effects it can have on one’s mental health.

NICHOLAS | Shortly before the rewrite began, our dear friend and lead actress, Kyla Hee, came into the conversation. The script was initially written with a male lead, but Kyla’s recent commitment to acting and her sheer talent prompted me to rewrite the lead role with her in mind. It proved to be the best decision I could have possibly made. 

After Kyla came on board, we built the cast around her in an incredibly short time period. Kyla assisted by recruiting her fellow classmates, Joan, Samantha, Jake and Dezmond, from their local acting class, Z/A Studios. We were fortunate to gain their talents along with Jeff and Valen’s roughly a week and a half before our first shoot day.

NICHOLAS | I like to refer to this short as “the short that should have never happened.” Not because of difficulties, but because of the lack thereof. Throughout the entire production, there was a palpable energy and alignment surrounding us. I can confidently attribute that energy to the 70+ local industry professionals that offered their support for this short and the creatives involved. 

As a first-time director, I certainly experienced a range of nervous emotions, but it brings me great pride to say that I was part of a production that combined the ranks of novices and veterans in an environment that was conducive to all. Without the pressures we find on our normal studio and network jobs, opportunity arose for individuals to step into positions that they wouldn’t normally be able to, including myself. Those with experience did not hesitate to bestow their years of wisdom upon those without. From this supportive collective of minds, creativity flowed, and ultimately resulted in a pure piece of art.