Concept • Creative Direction • Art Direction • Writing • Film Direction
Developed with Frederick Bouchardy from our initial pitch to A24, Backrooms treats scent as part of the film’s narrative. Five olfactory movements—Static, Yellow, Wet, Sweetener and Drift—translate its materials, spaces and psychological shifts into a timed Scent Score, changing the atmosphere around the viewer as the film unfolds.
The score takes physical form as five numbered vials, blotters and a timestamp guide, alongside a candle drawn from the final movement, Drift. I developed the creative strategy, language and early artifact concepts, with sketches that guided Actual Source’s final graphic and packaging design.
My direction continued through product development and production into the campaign: film concepts, scripts, storyboards, live shoot direction, editorial structure and sound direction. A shared approach to footage and timestamps connects the central film, use instructions, individual movements and product studies.
Collaborators
Scent Design and Movement Names — Frederick Bouchardy
Final Packaging and Graphic Design — Actual Source
Videography / Editing — Patrick Phillips
Film Producer — Woo Pailet
Product Photography — Aaron Joseph
In collaboration with — A24
Scent Kit at A24
Candle at A24
