Vanilla Cream: A Short Film

Hello to you! Welcome to the page that may just possibly make dreams come true!

We are a group of students from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), School of Art, Design and Media (ADM). 'Vanilla Cream' is our graduating thesis film, the one before we step into the unnerving industry. We are extremely excited to finally put together what we had learnt over the years, through hardship and joy (but mostly blood and tears), into this project! But I bet you are already impatient to know, what in the world is ‘Vanilla Cream’ about?

Drum roll~~~~~~~~~~

One morning, Christabelle holds a funeral for her businessman husband. She attempts to run a perfect event but unbeknownst to her guests, she does not love or grieve for this man. When she accidentally breaks off the corpse's finger, her plans gradually wind out of control. As the happy marriage front crumbles, the eulogy draws near and Christabelle must finally face up to her past.

Also, my director/writer has something to say:

In 2019, I wrote a 5-page screenplay titled ‘A Wake’, in which a widow runs an eccentric funeral for her dead husband (whom she may or may not have murdered herself), featuring a voodoo witch who insists on reanimating the body to my protagonist’s annoyance. That story morphed into this. At the time, I refused to admit that the story was about moving on, because I felt it was thematically lame and boring. I was childishly uninterested in stories about healing. Most of my work detailed a kind of pessimistic surrender to inevitability, and this was the first that did not. Christabelle is an emblem of the woman I always wanted to be - enterprising, successful, demanding. I want the best for her, and I believe she does too. This story is not about her suffering, but about her learning to rise above her past. In a way that is not just dismissive of her trauma, but a true reclaiming of every part of herself.

Crazy fun isn't it! But all this wonder comes with its little note of caution. (Imagine this is a classy, lady-boss kind of voice) We want to be transparent and say that the story does feature certain sensitive and graphic elements, since death is a rather large theme. It also depicts a romantic relationship between two women.

With full awareness of the severity with regards to the themes at hand, please be assured that we will be sensitive and respectful throughout our production process.

That being said, we always welcome (civilized) responses and comments. Feel free to email us at [email protected] or, if you’d like to have a chat with the producer, Joanna (it is I), feel free to drop her (me) an email on [email protected]. Please be assured that the production will progress with the rule that ensures the safety and welfare of the crew and casts.

This is our final year as protected students and we want to make this short film a blast! Every dollar and cents will be cherished like jewels reflecting rainbow light. A very big thank you to those who sprinkled us with help. Perhaps years from now, you’d see our names on bigger and wider screens.

Presenting my beautiful team:

• Our lady boss, the Director and Writer, Renee Ng.
• It is I, the producer, Joanna Wu.
• Our best support, Assistant Director, Leyee.
• Our talented Cinematographer. Ryan Wong.
• TADA, the best Art Director, Linnet Ong.
• Ever the hardworking Sound Designer, Lydia Ang.
• And, the gorgeous Editor, Teo Chuan Chee.

I wish you the very best day! Thank you!