Erik is drowning in debt and constant noise. Trying to manage his anger, he clicks his clicker and counts the clicks — until his loud, chaotic, well-meaning brother Bob moves in to help with the bills.
(Feature) Writer — Director — Editor — Sound Designer
(About the project)This film was created as part of my student work and is inspired by my own experience.
Darkly funny and emotionally grounded, “Happy Place” explores how the people we see as the source of our problems can sometimes be the key to healing. Beneath its humor and rage, it is a film about connection, perception, and the complexity of family bonds.I have two younger brothers, so I know firsthand how difficult — and important — it can be to recognize a helping hand from someone who also knows exactly how to push your buttons, sometimes even unintentionally. That very tension is what drove the story.
“Happy Place” poster
(Behind The Scenes)I approached editing, sound design and visual effects as extensions of the film’s emotion
Created during my time at Kingston University, Happy Place was made with a small, multilingual crew and professional actors working on a volunteer basis. It was my first attempt to build and lead a full production, and the chaos behind the scenes sometimes mirrored the story itselfThe pacing, noise, and rhythm were shaped to place the viewer inside Erik’s head, to feel his irritation and moments of release. Much of the art direction evolved in post-production, turning on-set improvisation into a cohesive emotional narrative
(VFX & Post-Production)Several elements in the film were created entirely digitally from scratch
The VFX work in Happy Place served to heighten realism and provide more creative freedom, while also filling continuity gaps that inevitably occurred during shooting . Together with motion designer Stepan Dorodnykh, I designed a fully functional digital clicker in After Effects for extreme close-ups, allowing full control of the timing and textureSeveral laptop/phone screen close-up shots, envelopes on the floor, all were made in Illustrator and Photoshop and later composited in After Effects. More complex scenes, like the title reveal and Bob’s affirmations app, combined live-action and CG elements with tracked lighting and color layers to achieve a seamless blend
(Acknowledgements)
Produced during the MA Filmmaking programme at Kingston University.
With thanks to Kingston University, the film crew, cast and tutors for their support throughout development, production and post-production.
Writer / Director / Editor: Vladimir Zhdanov, Producer: Tang Xuhui, Director of Photography: Anshuka Kumari,
Sound Design: Vladimir Zhdanov, Music: Said Bazhaev
Acting:Rory Connolly – Erik, Eduardo Pelegrinello – Bob, Georgy Pleece – YouTube Coach, Danielle Bordelon – App Narrator
Boom Operator / Sound Editor: Zhang Yida, Gaffer: Alex Augenti, Designer & Colorist: Mariia Sycheva, Co-Editor: Liu Fangtong,
VFX: Vladimir Zhdanov & Stepan Dorodnykh