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Ships in the Night

Synopsis

The film follows a young woman in March 2020, who starts “shipping” two fictional, animated characters together (basically, she wants them to kiss). To combat her growing isolation and a strained relationship with her sister, she turns to an online fandom community and begins writing a fanfiction about the characters she is fixated on. “Ships in the Night” is a dramedy about how stories connect us and transcend the days. It makes a case for escapism, nerd girls and leaning into what you like as a way to cope. It also strives to remind audiences that in a barrage of information, healing is not just a bodily thing.

Review

4/5
A charming dramedy about lockdown and the power of creativity.
Written and directed by Katherine Bourne Taylor, ‘Ships in the Night’ is a short comedic drama film that explores escapism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Katherine Bourne Taylor leads the cast as an isolated young woman who turns to fan-fiction to bring light to her tedious existence in lockdown. Cora Vander Broek co-stars as her disparaging sister. Despite its dramatic narrative, the short is sprinkled with comic-relief throughout. A charming watch from start-to-finish.

The 11-minute film opens with a running news report of the Coronavirus outbreak. Isolated and alone, the young woman spends her day baking, exercising, and chatting with her sister on Zoom. After becoming engrossed in an animated fantasy series, her creative juices flow into the world of fan-fiction – much to her sisters’ discernment. With an avid online following, she begins to pen the first chapter – a love story that brings joy and a purpose to the young woman’s life.

Ships in the Night Short Film
Katherine Bourne Taylor has created an endearing dramady that will bring resonance to audiences. Her narrative highlights the uninspiring lifestyle that held the world captive from March 2020. ‘Ships in the Night’ explores the desire to escape into the world of fiction for solace and comfort. Taylor’s performance is exemplary throughout – a fine comical delivery. Cora Vander Broek’s delivery is equally commendable. Cinematography, music, post-production and sound is of an exceptional standard, despite being shot on an iPhone. A terrific short that will entertain and move the audience. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Katherine Bourne Taylor
Writer(s): Katherine Bourne Taylor
Cast: Cora Vander Broek, Erin O’Shea, Katherine Bourne Taylor, Kathryn Acosta, Liz D’Alessio, Lyo Reneau, Matthew Brumlow, Paloma Nozicka, Ricco Fajardo
Producer(s): Jennifer Hoks, Katherine Bourne Taylor
Director of Photography: Katherine Bourne Taylor
Editor(s): Jennifer Hoks
Animation: Justin Younger,Sarah Cruz
Sound: Zach Scheitlin
Music: Jacob Metcalf,Noelle Fabian,Sarah Bauza
Miscellaneous: Temesgen Gebremeskel

Specifications

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Subjects: Adventure, Anxiety, Coming-of-age, COVID-19, Creativity, Exploration, Family, Female Empowerment, Identity, Illness, Isolation, Love, Relationships, Sisterhood, Superhero
Country: United States
Language: English
Year: 2020
Publication Date:
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Cast/Crew

Director(s): Katherine Bourne Taylor
Writer(s): Katherine Bourne Taylor
Cast: Cora Vander Broek, Erin O’Shea, Katherine Bourne Taylor, Kathryn Acosta, Liz D’Alessio, Lyo Reneau, Matthew Brumlow, Paloma Nozicka, Ricco Fajardo
Producer(s): Jennifer Hoks, Katherine Bourne Taylor
Director of Photography: Katherine Bourne Taylor
Editor(s): Jennifer Hoks
Animation: ,
Sound: Zach Scheitlin
Music: Jacob Metcalf,Noelle Fabian,Sarah Bauza
Miscellaneous: Temesgen Gebremeskel

Specifcations

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Subjects: Adventure, Anxiety, Coming-of-age, COVID-19, Creativity, Exploration, Family, Female Empowerment, Identity, Illness, Isolation, Love, Relationships, Sisterhood, Superhero
Country: United States
Language: English
Year: 2020

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Ships in the Night

Synopsis

The film follows a young woman in March 2020, who starts “shipping” two fictional, animated characters together (basically, she wants them to kiss). To combat her growing isolation and a strained relationship with her sister, she turns to an online fandom community and begins writing a fanfiction about the characters she is fixated on. “Ships in the Night” is a dramedy about how stories connect us and transcend the days. It makes a case for escapism, nerd girls and leaning into what you like as a way to cope. It also strives to remind audiences that in a barrage of information, healing is not just a bodily thing.

Review

A charming dramedy about lockdown and the power of creativity.

4/5
Written and directed by Katherine Bourne Taylor, ‘Ships in the Night’ is a short comedic drama film that explores escapism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Katherine Bourne Taylor leads the cast as an isolated young woman who turns to fan-fiction to bring light to her tedious existence in lockdown. Cora Vander Broek co-stars as her disparaging sister. Despite its dramatic narrative, the short is sprinkled with comic-relief throughout. A charming watch from start-to-finish.

The 11-minute film opens with a running news report of the Coronavirus outbreak. Isolated and alone, the young woman spends her day baking, exercising, and chatting with her sister on Zoom. After becoming engrossed in an animated fantasy series, her creative juices flow into the world of fan-fiction – much to her sisters’ discernment. With an avid online following, she begins to pen the first chapter – a love story that brings joy and a purpose to the young woman’s life.

Ships in the Night Short Film
Katherine Bourne Taylor has created an endearing dramady that will bring resonance to audiences. Her narrative highlights the uninspiring lifestyle that held the world captive from March 2020. ‘Ships in the Night’ explores the desire to escape into the world of fiction for solace and comfort. Taylor’s performance is exemplary throughout – a fine comical delivery. Cora Vander Broek’s delivery is equally commendable. Cinematography, music, post-production and sound is of an exceptional standard, despite being shot on an iPhone. A terrific short that will entertain and move the audience. Highly recommended.

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