TINA TIMES TWO (SHORT)

A DYEHOUSE FILMS PRODUCTION

DIRECTOR: BONNIE DEMPSEY

MY ROLE: PRODUCTION DESIGNER

A surreal coming-of-age fable about a lonely girl whose wish comes true when she gains a magical friend; an exact double of herself! But the dream turns into a nightmare when her double wants to live her own life. ‘Tina Times Two’ is a fantastical comedy for young people. It is an expressionistic story with a heavy focus on dance and minimal dialogue. It’s about a young, neglected girl who is lonely and unhappy and too shy to do anything about it. All she wants in life is a friend she can perform her dance routines with. And magically one day, a friend appears – an exact double of Tina! Tina is delighted to have a friend at last, albeit one she must keep hidden from the rest of the world. Tina is happy for the first time in ages until her double starts getting bored with her restricted life. One day the double escapes and leaves a trail of chaos in Tina’s life. And now Tina must step up to confront her double and put things right… Although this is presented as a fable-like fantasy with a magical event at it’s centre, it’s a story that could also be read in a purely metaphorical way (ala ‘The Wizard of Oz’); ultimately, Tina goes on a deep psychological journey. She has to let loose and break the rules, discover her inner-strength and finally reconcile the two halves of her personality to discover who she really is. Starring : Robyn Dempsey, Eilish O’Carroll, Noni Stapleton, Gus McDonagh, Luke Lally, Michaela Gormley and a chorus of amazing young dancers from Vicky Barry Stage School.

A surreal coming-of-age fable about a lonely girl whose wish comes true when she gains a magical friend; an exact double of herself! But the dream turns into a nightmare when her double wants to live her own life.

As Production Designer on this high energy, low budget short, I collaborated closely with the Director and the Cinematograher to create a look that breathes life into bare locations which became extensions of the characters and compliment the vivid and magic world of the scripted details. This required a lot of research, resourceful and cost effective solutions when sourcing props, furniture and light fittings. I co-ordinated with the Art Director on set to dress the locations and prepare the hand props and graphic elements required.