About the Film

1, 2, 3 You Please is short film about a young woman, Jesse, struggling to maintain her daily life while navigating her severe OCD. The number three is her safety count and is embedded in all aspects of her life.

Jesse starts her day like most days, getting coffee at the same coffee shop from the same Barista. While in line, she meets a young man (played by Josh) who catches her counting to three under her breath. Nervous, she flees the cafe without her coffee, but the young man runs after her with two coffees in hand.

While on their date later that night Jesse fights to hide her greatest fears of being exposed and rejected. The film focuses on the internal life of Jesse, and her struggle to find self-acceptance with all of her ticks.

A Note From Josh

I was what I would call moderate to severe OCD in my teens, and the number 3 was my safety count. I would quietly and shamefully count it out in my head as I turned door knobs, walked, ran, ate and so on.

For me, it was about creating the illusion of control so that I could feel safe within my world. It wasn’t until a friend caught me counting under my breath that I shared the truth and began to feel less shame. It was through this that I believe sparked the change in the story I told myself about myself. 

Why We Need Your Help

In order to bring our story to life, we need your help! Here’s how our budget breaks down. Every little bit helps!

Style

The style and tone of the film is heavily dependent on Jesse’s emotional arc: her ebb and flow of intensity. It’s crucial for me that the style does not impede on that goal, so the film with follow Jesse organically through the pacing of camera and saturation of the color palette.

Sometimes we live in close ups in a crowded room when Jesse is feeling ashamed and isolated. At other times, the camera moves with Jesse when she’s feeling frenetic. The soundscape will also be manipulated and heightened to reflect Jesse’s feelings. With sound, camera, and color, we will highlight both the truth in the performance as well as how we capture the world in which Jesse lives. 

Our Team

Source: ICNW