Return to Sender - Teaser One


Production completed: Jan 2012
Film length: 12:33 min
Credits: See below
Distribution: Norwegian Film Institute

SYNOPSIS
A female scientist lives a lonely and isolated life on the coast of Greenland. She is looking for the perfect partner to keep her company under such harsh conditions. One day, she discovers a website which enables her to grow her perfect match, but there is a possibility that things may go wrong.

Return to Sender - Clip



Still images from film



BACKGROUND
The ambitious low budget project was largely inspired by the time I spent adapting to a new life in central Norway after living seven years in London. In Spring 2009, I received funding from Midtnorsk Filmsenter to develop a short film. After a script revision and heavy storyboarding, the film finally went into production in Spring 2010. The team used the summer months to shoot in an abandoned petrol station that's been converted to a studio.

A true labor of love, friends and family were enlisted to help, and in everyone’s spare time they pitched in to make this project happen. Working with a severe budget limitation, the cast and crew were nonetheless devoted to the project that made for a great atmosphere on set.

In January 2011, I received an additional talent scholarship from Midtnorsk Filmsenter in order to complete the post production. Shot on the RED camera, the live action actors and parts of the set were composed digitally into handmade miniature worlds. Bits and pieces of stop-motion and digital animation were added to complete the film.

For more information on how the film was made visit my blog or download a production PDF here.

Return to Sender - Teaser Two


More still images from film

Still images from film credits


Pictures from the production process and film shoot.

Fetus Miniatures (Film Detail)


Sky Shoot


Making the miniatures

Shooting the miniatures

Film Shoot

Shoot Location (an old petrol station)



CREDITS

Written & Directed by Denise Hauser
Produced by Helmet
Line Producer: Denise Hauser
Director of Photography: Øystein Moe
Editor: Denise Hauser
Music: Rich Keyworth
Sound Design: Henning Knoepfel
Set Design & Props: Denise Hauser
Miniatures: Denise Hauser, Torild Skipnes, Anita Gundersen
Assistant Camera: Stian Eriksen
Costumes: Mari Melilot & Denise Hauser
Makeup & Hair: Ragnhild Ward Bugten
VFX Supervisor: Helmet
Composition & Animation: Denise Hauser, Sondre Nymoen, Alexander Somma
Coloring: Alexander Somma, Denise Hauser
Title & Credits Design: Knut-Erik Øverjord

ACTORS
Ina: Mari Melilot
Workaholic: Anders Jullumstrø
Macho/Sun God: Endre Forbord
Cheater: Magnus Børmark
Sales Woman: Jenny Staalnacke
Bella: Julie Holm
Anna: Line Brå Johansen
Annabelle: Stine B. Johnsen
Snowflake: Stian Ward Bugten

VOICES
Ina: Shearan Thomas
Workaholic: Christopher Allen
Macho/Sun God: Alexandre Bensaid
Cheater: Will Wheeler
Sales Woman: Leonor Lemee
Bella: Lisa Holliman
Anna: Lisa Holliman
Annabelle: Deeivya Meir