Paralysis by Analysis
Washington, District of Columbia | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Drama
When an anxious, perfectionist PhD student discovers an AI app that predicts the outcome of her decisions before she makes them, her life unravels as she becomes obsessed with the app. This is a sci-fi drama about anxiety, decision-making, and what happens when you put your fate in AI's hands.
Paralysis by Analysis
Washington, District of Columbia | Film Short
Sci-Fi, Drama
1 Campaigns | District of Columbia, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $9,955 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
67 supporters | followers
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When an anxious, perfectionist PhD student discovers an AI app that predicts the outcome of her decisions before she makes them, her life unravels as she becomes obsessed with the app. This is a sci-fi drama about anxiety, decision-making, and what happens when you put your fate in AI's hands.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SO WHAT'S THE FILM ABOUT?
Imagine an episode of Insecure meets Black Mirror.
Our protagonist, Eleanor, is a high-achieving, indecisive PhD student. When something as simple as choosing what to eat for lunch sends her spiraling, her friend, Jackie, gives her access to an AI app that can predict the outcome of her decisions before she makes them. Everything’s great at first: Eleanor uses the app to move up in her career and even navigate the uncertainty of her relationship with her boyfriend, Bryan. However, she quickly becomes addicted to the app and is unable to make even the smallest decisions without it. It all comes to a head when the app fails and she’s left with nothing but a panic attack and an ultimatum from Bryan.
This story will re-shape the way audiences view decisions and how they impact our lives. It challenges the notion that there is always a perfect choice and instead invites audiences into the freedom of embracing the uncertainty that makes us human.
This film is a proof of concept for a feature-length version of the story. We hope that once this film is completed and shared with the world, it will garner the support and opportunities needed to continue Eleanor’s journey and bring this feature to life!
Examples of the tone, style, and look of the film
WHO'S THE STORY ABOUT?
Eleanor, is a Black PhD student in her late twenties studying public history. She’s had her life planned out since junior year of high school; while a lot of it hasn’t gone to plan, she remains a high-achieving, overthinking, perfectionist. She believes that with enough thought and a good ol' pros-and cons-list, she can always make the right choice to get where she wants to be.
Eleanor is played by Mia del Giudice, a seasoned actress in both film and television productions, including credits on Hulu's Wu Tang: An American Saga and Power Book III: Raising Kanan on CBS.
Bryan is in his late twenties. He met Eleanor on a dating app and they’ve been together for about a year. He’s the opposite of his girlfriend, very carefree and a big fan of “going with the flow”. He works as a commercial real estate attorney, a job where he’s gotten this far simply by trusting his gut.
Bryan is played by Diron Jones, a dynamic actor with an impressive resume of theatre arts, film, television, runway modeling, and reality shows, including lead roles in multiple award-winning independent films.
Jackie is in her late 20s and has been best friends with Eleanor since college. She works as a coder at an AI tech start-up. She comes from a traditional immigrant family and because of her strict upbringing, she now makes decisions based on what will make her happy.
Jackie is played by Sajda Waite. With a robust background in theater, Sajda has made her mark on screen acting in short films, commercials, as well as her web series, Wormholes, which she also writes and directs.
WHO'S THE TEAM?
We're all graduate film students at Howard University in Washington, DC (fun fact: Howard is the only HBCU with a graduate film program). This film serves as our thesis, the culmination of our degree program. We're not just students though: throughout our careers, all of us have worked on several films that have screened at festivals around the world.
Jolene (our director) and Chris (our cinematographer) first collaborated on The World We Created, which was an official selection in the 2024 Charlotte Black Film Festival. Additionally, Jolene's film, Code Switch, won honorable mention in the 2023 Festival Si Cinema in France where it screened at the world-renowned Centre Pompidou art museum in Paris.
WHY TELL THIS STORY NOW?
We feel this story is especially relevant now because so many people struggle with the anxiety of choice, especially young adults just like us. It's the classic quarter-life crisis: we're all trying to make the right choices about careers, relationships, and finances in hopes to reach the life we desire. This story hopes to free audiences from that pressure, because in reality there is no right choice, there’s just the choice you make. With the rise of AI and concerns about what place technology should have in society, we feel this story adds an insightful take to a timely conversation.
It's also rare to see black women take the lead role in sci-fi films. We’re proud to be helping diversify the genre and offer more nuanced representation of black stories on screen.
WHY ARE YOU THE ONE TO TELL THE STORY?
Our writer/director, Jolene, has been working on this story for over a year now. It was inspired by her own anxieties as she struggled with making life decisions, both big and small. She herself wished she had this type of technology, but realized it would probably do more harm than good. The only thing that freed her from this anxiety was embracing this truth: there's no way to ensure you always make the right choice.
Most of us don't have the AI technology that Eleanor has. However, we all turn to something in an attempt to give guidance and certainty in our decisions. Some turn to spirituality, others logic, and for some it’s just gut instinct. Despite whoever or whatever we choose to turn to for guidance, all we can do is choose and live based on what we know right here and right now.
WHERE ARE YOU IN THE PROCESS?
We are currently in pre-production and scheduled to shoot November 8-14, 2024 in the Washington, DC area! We have an incredible cast and are in the process of securing the locations where we will shoot. We have also already secured funding for about 35% of our total $20,000 budget. We just need your help to raise the remaining $12,000!
If we raise over our fundraising goal, those funds will go toward post-production costs (editing, color grading, sound design, and a composer). It will also cover fees to submit Paralysis by Analysis to film festivals all over the world!
HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT THIS FILM?
Help us get the word out! You can share a link to this page on social media to help us increase our audience and encourage your friends and family to donate. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @paralysisbyanalysisfilm. We also take in-kind donations if you would like to donate other resources like meals on set or camera equipment
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Camera Equipment
Costs $3,000
This money covers any cameras or lenses we will need to rent or buy for the production.
Meals/Catering
Costs $2,100
Help us make sure our production crew is well fed during our shoot!
Equipment Rental
Costs $3,000
Having money to rent lighting, sound, and grip equipment is key to a successful production.
Paying our Actors
Costs $1,500
It's in the name: help us make sure our talented cast are paid!
Locations
Costs $1,400
This script has several different locations that we will need to pay to rent for the production.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
This cost includes any props or set dressing we will need to make our locations fit the world of the story.
Share this update!
About This Team
Jolene T. Carter
Writer/Director
Jolene T. Carter is an award-winning filmmaker, multi-disciplinary artist and current Masters of Fine Arts thesis candidate in Howard University's graduate film program. Her works have screened at festivals in the United States and internationally, including a screening at the renowned Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Her body of work consists of poetic, speculative stories that thrust characters into fantastical scenarios as a way to confront their deepest flaws. Drawing from her upbringing as a Black girl in New York, she explores the intersection of identity, faith, and culture.
Savannah Summerlin
Creative Producer
Savannah Summerlin is a writer, director, producer, and current thesis candidate in the Howard University graduate filmmaking program. She got her BA from New York University, where she created her own major entitled "The Intersection of Art and Activism," which enabled her to take courses on a variety of different artistic mediums and global issues. Since matriculating at Howard, Savannah has interned at WETA Arts, National Geographic, Proximity Media, A24, and is currently interning at Long Story Short Media in DC.
When asked what space she would like to work in after graduating (Film or television? Scripted or documentary?) Savannah simply says "yes." At her core, she is a lover of all things fantastic and aspires to bring a little bit of magic to everything she creates, whether she's writing, directing, or producing it. She also deeply believes in the importance of DE&I in Hollywood and hopes to help, hold space for, and open doors for long ignored voices and communities.
Chris Cumber
Director of Photography
Chris Cumber is a cinematographer, director, and thesis candidate in Howard University’s graduate film program. With a bachelors degree in Sociology and Ethnic Studies from Colorado State University, Chris is passionate about using film as a social commentary tool and highlighting stories within the Black diaspora. Screening films at the; Charlotte Black Film Festival, Indie Short Film Festival, And The Black Film Festival of New Orleans has laid the foundation of telling stories that force the audience to empathize and experience a perspective different than their own. Motivated by speaking truth to power he has found Howard the place to be to foster his exploration of personal identity and diasporic acknowledgement.
Cameron Logan
Production Manager
Cameron Logan is a driven filmmaker from Arlington, Virginia, with a passion for producing compelling stories on screen. An alumni of Howard University's graduate film program, he has developed a wide range of skills in all aspects of the film production process. Cameron began his film journey at a film production company in New Delhi, during his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia. After graduating with a Drama degree, he worked at several local DMV video production companies, from corporate marketing to lifestyle and pop culture. Once he began graduate school he transitioned into the film industry, working as a Production Assistant for Netflix, Apple TV, and HBO on various film projects. He is committed to creating meaningful stories that entertain and inspire audiences while making a positive impact on the world.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
SO WHAT'S THE FILM ABOUT?
Imagine an episode of Insecure meets Black Mirror.
Our protagonist, Eleanor, is a high-achieving, indecisive PhD student. When something as simple as choosing what to eat for lunch sends her spiraling, her friend, Jackie, gives her access to an AI app that can predict the outcome of her decisions before she makes them. Everything’s great at first: Eleanor uses the app to move up in her career and even navigate the uncertainty of her relationship with her boyfriend, Bryan. However, she quickly becomes addicted to the app and is unable to make even the smallest decisions without it. It all comes to a head when the app fails and she’s left with nothing but a panic attack and an ultimatum from Bryan.
This story will re-shape the way audiences view decisions and how they impact our lives. It challenges the notion that there is always a perfect choice and instead invites audiences into the freedom of embracing the uncertainty that makes us human.
This film is a proof of concept for a feature-length version of the story. We hope that once this film is completed and shared with the world, it will garner the support and opportunities needed to continue Eleanor’s journey and bring this feature to life!
Examples of the tone, style, and look of the film
WHO'S THE STORY ABOUT?
Eleanor, is a Black PhD student in her late twenties studying public history. She’s had her life planned out since junior year of high school; while a lot of it hasn’t gone to plan, she remains a high-achieving, overthinking, perfectionist. She believes that with enough thought and a good ol' pros-and cons-list, she can always make the right choice to get where she wants to be.
Eleanor is played by Mia del Giudice, a seasoned actress in both film and television productions, including credits on Hulu's Wu Tang: An American Saga and Power Book III: Raising Kanan on CBS.
Bryan is in his late twenties. He met Eleanor on a dating app and they’ve been together for about a year. He’s the opposite of his girlfriend, very carefree and a big fan of “going with the flow”. He works as a commercial real estate attorney, a job where he’s gotten this far simply by trusting his gut.
Bryan is played by Diron Jones, a dynamic actor with an impressive resume of theatre arts, film, television, runway modeling, and reality shows, including lead roles in multiple award-winning independent films.
Jackie is in her late 20s and has been best friends with Eleanor since college. She works as a coder at an AI tech start-up. She comes from a traditional immigrant family and because of her strict upbringing, she now makes decisions based on what will make her happy.
Jackie is played by Sajda Waite. With a robust background in theater, Sajda has made her mark on screen acting in short films, commercials, as well as her web series, Wormholes, which she also writes and directs.
WHO'S THE TEAM?
We're all graduate film students at Howard University in Washington, DC (fun fact: Howard is the only HBCU with a graduate film program). This film serves as our thesis, the culmination of our degree program. We're not just students though: throughout our careers, all of us have worked on several films that have screened at festivals around the world.
Jolene (our director) and Chris (our cinematographer) first collaborated on The World We Created, which was an official selection in the 2024 Charlotte Black Film Festival. Additionally, Jolene's film, Code Switch, won honorable mention in the 2023 Festival Si Cinema in France where it screened at the world-renowned Centre Pompidou art museum in Paris.
WHY TELL THIS STORY NOW?
We feel this story is especially relevant now because so many people struggle with the anxiety of choice, especially young adults just like us. It's the classic quarter-life crisis: we're all trying to make the right choices about careers, relationships, and finances in hopes to reach the life we desire. This story hopes to free audiences from that pressure, because in reality there is no right choice, there’s just the choice you make. With the rise of AI and concerns about what place technology should have in society, we feel this story adds an insightful take to a timely conversation.
It's also rare to see black women take the lead role in sci-fi films. We’re proud to be helping diversify the genre and offer more nuanced representation of black stories on screen.
WHY ARE YOU THE ONE TO TELL THE STORY?
Our writer/director, Jolene, has been working on this story for over a year now. It was inspired by her own anxieties as she struggled with making life decisions, both big and small. She herself wished she had this type of technology, but realized it would probably do more harm than good. The only thing that freed her from this anxiety was embracing this truth: there's no way to ensure you always make the right choice.
Most of us don't have the AI technology that Eleanor has. However, we all turn to something in an attempt to give guidance and certainty in our decisions. Some turn to spirituality, others logic, and for some it’s just gut instinct. Despite whoever or whatever we choose to turn to for guidance, all we can do is choose and live based on what we know right here and right now.
WHERE ARE YOU IN THE PROCESS?
We are currently in pre-production and scheduled to shoot November 8-14, 2024 in the Washington, DC area! We have an incredible cast and are in the process of securing the locations where we will shoot. We have also already secured funding for about 35% of our total $20,000 budget. We just need your help to raise the remaining $12,000!
If we raise over our fundraising goal, those funds will go toward post-production costs (editing, color grading, sound design, and a composer). It will also cover fees to submit Paralysis by Analysis to film festivals all over the world!
HOW ELSE CAN I SUPPORT THIS FILM?
Help us get the word out! You can share a link to this page on social media to help us increase our audience and encourage your friends and family to donate. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @paralysisbyanalysisfilm. We also take in-kind donations if you would like to donate other resources like meals on set or camera equipment
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Camera Equipment
Costs $3,000
This money covers any cameras or lenses we will need to rent or buy for the production.
Meals/Catering
Costs $2,100
Help us make sure our production crew is well fed during our shoot!
Equipment Rental
Costs $3,000
Having money to rent lighting, sound, and grip equipment is key to a successful production.
Paying our Actors
Costs $1,500
It's in the name: help us make sure our talented cast are paid!
Locations
Costs $1,400
This script has several different locations that we will need to pay to rent for the production.
Production Design
Costs $1,000
This cost includes any props or set dressing we will need to make our locations fit the world of the story.
Share this update!
About This Team
Jolene T. Carter
Writer/Director
Jolene T. Carter is an award-winning filmmaker, multi-disciplinary artist and current Masters of Fine Arts thesis candidate in Howard University's graduate film program. Her works have screened at festivals in the United States and internationally, including a screening at the renowned Centre Pompidou in Paris.
Her body of work consists of poetic, speculative stories that thrust characters into fantastical scenarios as a way to confront their deepest flaws. Drawing from her upbringing as a Black girl in New York, she explores the intersection of identity, faith, and culture.
Savannah Summerlin
Creative Producer
Savannah Summerlin is a writer, director, producer, and current thesis candidate in the Howard University graduate filmmaking program. She got her BA from New York University, where she created her own major entitled "The Intersection of Art and Activism," which enabled her to take courses on a variety of different artistic mediums and global issues. Since matriculating at Howard, Savannah has interned at WETA Arts, National Geographic, Proximity Media, A24, and is currently interning at Long Story Short Media in DC.
When asked what space she would like to work in after graduating (Film or television? Scripted or documentary?) Savannah simply says "yes." At her core, she is a lover of all things fantastic and aspires to bring a little bit of magic to everything she creates, whether she's writing, directing, or producing it. She also deeply believes in the importance of DE&I in Hollywood and hopes to help, hold space for, and open doors for long ignored voices and communities.
Chris Cumber
Director of Photography
Chris Cumber is a cinematographer, director, and thesis candidate in Howard University’s graduate film program. With a bachelors degree in Sociology and Ethnic Studies from Colorado State University, Chris is passionate about using film as a social commentary tool and highlighting stories within the Black diaspora. Screening films at the; Charlotte Black Film Festival, Indie Short Film Festival, And The Black Film Festival of New Orleans has laid the foundation of telling stories that force the audience to empathize and experience a perspective different than their own. Motivated by speaking truth to power he has found Howard the place to be to foster his exploration of personal identity and diasporic acknowledgement.
Cameron Logan
Production Manager
Cameron Logan is a driven filmmaker from Arlington, Virginia, with a passion for producing compelling stories on screen. An alumni of Howard University's graduate film program, he has developed a wide range of skills in all aspects of the film production process. Cameron began his film journey at a film production company in New Delhi, during his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia. After graduating with a Drama degree, he worked at several local DMV video production companies, from corporate marketing to lifestyle and pop culture. Once he began graduate school he transitioned into the film industry, working as a Production Assistant for Netflix, Apple TV, and HBO on various film projects. He is committed to creating meaningful stories that entertain and inspire audiences while making a positive impact on the world.