Coping Mechanism (2017)

Ben and Mikaela find themselves on a date. But there's a secret to Ben's lonely existence that only exacerbates his self-sabotaging desperation and threatens to forever prevent him from connecting with another human being.

Director:

Sean Leonard Roberts (as Sean Roberts)

Writer:

Sean Leonard Roberts (as Sean Roberts)

Stars:

Bonnie Ferguson, Michael Pisciuneri, Ryan Sobolski

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Bonnie Ferguson	...	Mikaela
Michael Pisciuneri	...	Waiter
Ryan Sobolski	...	Ben

Storyline

Two lonely souls find themselves on a date that has started poorly. Ben and Mikaela have different reasons for being there, but share a yearning for human connection that pushes them forward. Unfortunately, and despite Mikaela's patience and curiosity, Ben's awkward behavior and self sabotaging insincerity keeps a frustrating wall between them. But there is a hidden layer to Ben's existence, one that reveals a tragic scale to the extent of his loneliness. It drives his obsessive desperation to connect with Mikaela, and is simultaneously the root of his failure. As much as she needs him to truly open up and show her the real Ben, his situation is something she can never hope to understand.

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Genres:

Short | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The shot of Mikaela's hologram, when seen from behind as it disappears, is not Bonnie Ferguson and is actually just a still image stand-in. No footage of the lead actress was ever shot from this angle.

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Crazy Credits

During the opening credits, while the mysterious symbols are on screen, a rumbling drone and buzzing of a console can faintly be heard. This is the sound of the bunker control room/note room from later in the film, heard here charging up for attempt #112 that we're about to witness.

User Reviews

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 November 2017 (Australia)

Filming Locations:

Chez Pascal French Restaurant, 440 Rocky Point Rd, Sans Souci, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD600 (estimated)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Color:

Color