RABBITHOLE | Fantasy Short Film (2025)

How far down are you willing to go?
Second year University student Alistair Liddell is attempting to write an essay late at night, when the idea to search for answers on Wikipedia comes to mind. Leading Alistair down a wondrous path of information. However, after being dragged into the screen and falling down the rabbit hole of information, Alistair soon realises the more disturbing nature of the internet and that the way out may not be as simple as it seems.
The wait is finally over! It's finally here!!!
Rabbithole was my final second year project we had to make based around the brief of contemporary issues. My group had many different ideas we experimented working with before eventually settling on the idea behind Rabbithole itself. Internet addiction is a difficult thing to try and visualise in the terms of a project, especially one in regards to a film. But I think we managed it pretty well.
Overall working on this was the most difficult and challenging experiences of my career as a filmmaker so far. From harsh weather conditions on location, which left us an hour of sunlight to film what we needed, to technical issues and all nighters at the library editing. This project was insane from start to finish.
When we sat down with the idea for the project Will explained the concept, which in turn hit me with a load of different ideas. The main one, was to take inspiration from Lewis Carroll's "Alice In Wonderland" which is consistently referenced throughout the film. From the naming of Alistair Liddell, similar to Alice Pleasance Liddell, to The White Rabbit and so much more! Writing this was a blast from start to finish.
I had also never been a D.O.P before, so taking lead on the cinematography side of this was both terrifying and exciting. I worked with a Steadicam for the first time, (thank you to Halle Parker for providing it to me), travelled to the Peak District and had to wander up to cliff edges to film with a camera attached to my chest in brutal wind and tough weather conditions. This project was not easy. However none of it would have been possible without the incredible crew behind the scenes!
From the filmmakers:
Zac Barnes, William McLauchlan, Sidney Kinzett and Josh Thornton!
And a special thank you to people who aren't on our course, such as:
Saffron Bowen, who came with us to the Peak District to film and take behind the scenes photos which you can find on my instagram: @theparzivalfilms
She also taught herself how to use After Effects to create the amazing title for "Rabbithole" itself.
Then we had Matilda, who came onto the project quite late on. However they still managed to create one of the best bits of the project itself: The Animation. Matilda created the hands of The White Rabbit that grabbed Alistair, as well as the Ether Bird and Ether Giant which look absolutely amazing!
In order to create something similar to that of a rabbit-hole itself, I re-edited a film that myself and the amazing Will Stogden had made last year called "Circularity". Thinking it would work amazingly in tandem to the project as it was about eyes and spirals and it did! So thank you to Will for working with me on that!
Finally Arron Ware, who created most of the score behind the project including the Leitmotif for the film itself!
That's before we even start mentioning the cast!
Ronan was amazing during this process from start to finish. Helping carry equipment and being the generally amazing and talented person that he is. He managed to captivate Alistair's confusion and almost comatose state amazingly.
Finally, Jess. Who was equally as helpful and fun to work with. Jess is also on the Filmmaking side, however dived into acting for this project and really went all out. During filming, we were quite high up and it was freezing, she had to endure it for extended periods of time being absolutely frozen, however still went on!
Overall I am incredibly proud of the cast and crew who really endured a lot during this process, however even with all the stress and long nights each and every one of us pulled it off. Thank you all so, so much.
And a special thank you to Manchester Metropolitan University, The School of Digital Art and finally The Deaf Institute.
I will forever be grateful for this project. It taught me so, so much about so many new and different elements of filmmaking that I am taking with me into my final project. I made so many amazing connections along the way and it was a pleasure to work with every one of you.
Till the next time.
Rhys

[@jadethecharade5367]

Looks awesome well done 🎉

[@gallus_creative]

That was very enjoyable, well done folks!

[@pierrealexfun]

Loved the Film and saved it so anyone can see it. Congratulations Rhys and all your team, great suspense ❤

[@kelekona5459]

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