The Killer of Self Expression

The Killer of Self Expression is a poetic short film exploring the tension between societal expectations and creative freedom. Told through shifting spaces—interview rooms, black-box stages, and moments of introspection—it follows Joseph, a young creative unraveling under pressure, and Paul, a calm yet powerful embodiment of self-trust and artistic truth.

As both Actor (Paul) and Director of Photography, I helped shape the film’s emotional and visual core. Through Paul’s role, I brought to life a character who speaks few words but delivers clarity, confidence, and conviction. Behind the camera, I used focused lighting, negative space, and contrasting tones to mirror the characters’ internal conflicts and evolution.

Shot in spaces like Sage Video Studio and Meliora Hall, the film uses spoken word, minimal dialogue, and visual metaphors to tell a story about what it means to stay true to yourself in a world that asks you to shrink.

This project is a tribute to every creative trying to be both seen and understood—and a reminder that self-expression is not just a choice, but a form of survival.