Little t
After failing to get her dream job, Alexis questions her inner critic and unravels the origins of her comfort food.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Masha Ellsworth
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
A few years ago, I was hitting a career plateau and looking for a new challenge, only to find myself doubting every idea I came up with, and being worried about failing at everything. I couldn’t shake off that paralyzing feeling, until one day I read a message in a fortune cookie, from a local fast food joint, that said “Silence the critic within.” I’ve heard about this “inner critic” character before; and finally realizing why I felt stuck, I jumped head deep into learning where this “inner critic” came from, why I got it, and lastly, how to “silence” it. At the end of my research journey, it only felt right to share what I have found through film. Little t short film became the challenge I was longing for.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Little t delves deeply into the themes of perfectionism and self-criticism, presenting a visually stunning narrative that faces these issues head-on. It accurately portrays the transformation of imagination from a foe to a friend, striking a chord with anyone who has ever felt inadequate. Essentially, this film has a universal appeal, resonating with all who have doubted their worth.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Little t tells the story of Alexis, an interior designer who, like many other creatives, struggles to see the value in her art and battles with perfectionism and self-criticism. In Alexis's case, she manages her anxiety with comfort food, craving a specific "triple chocolate cupcake." The story unfolds to reveal why this comfort food is so special to Alexis, connecting it to her past. I aimed to tell a universal story about struggling with self-criticism, while also exploring the unique story of Alexis and her childhood.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
In the final months of production, amidst receiving last-minute feedback, I made the bold decision to drastically change the ending. This significant alteration, I believe, clarified the film's message—how we treat ourselves in the face of failure. It was this story, this exploration of self-compassion and resilience, that I truly wanted to convey.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Showing Little t around the world has been eye-opening. No matter where it's played, people just get Alexis and her struggles with self-doubt and those nagging inner critic voices. Many folks have shared their own stories about fighting those same doubts. It turns out, this struggle is very relatable and has a way of bringing people closer. Little t has sparked conversations about self-criticism, lingering childhood traumas, and ways to address them, underlining the universal relevance of Alexis' journey.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It's been really interesting to see how different people react to the inner critic in Little t. Some folks feel like it's way too harsh, while others are like, "Yep, that's exactly what it's like in my head." This mix of reactions just shows how we all have our own levels of being hard on ourselves. For some, that inner voice is really tough, more than for others. It's been eye-opening to see how this varies and really gets to the heart of how we all deal with self-criticism in our own unique ways.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
My drive in creating Little t was to spark a conversation about our inner critics: understanding why silencing them can be so tough and uncovering their origins. The film introduces the concept of "little t trauma" from psychology, shedding light on how these seemingly minor but pervasive experiences impact us deeply. Unlike the traumatic events that lead to PTSD, "little t" traumas are more frequent and less severe, yet they leave a lasting mark on our mental health and well-being, influencing the harshness of our inner critics.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I'm on the lookout for distributors and journalists to help get my film out there, aiming for a wide reach and meaningful impact. My goal is to give back to the mental health community by shedding light on 'little t' trauma. Partnering with key industry players will not only amplify our message but also help those battling their inner critics.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I hope Little t resonates with viewers by addressing the often lonely battle against inner criticism. It's easy to fall into thinking, "It's just me," or wondering why we can't just shake it off. I hope this film makes everyone struggling with self-doubt feel a bit less alone.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
A few years back, I was stuck in a career rut, doubting myself and fearing failure. Everything changed when a fortune cookie advised me to "Silence the critic within." The key question is how do you actually silence your it, and what does it look like in day-to-day life?
Would you like to add anything else?
The counterpart of our inner critic is our inner child, a younger version of ourselves before we learned all the rules, before we decided that we need to be perfect. It's still there within us; its voice is softer and less loud than the critical voice, but it's important to listen to it as well.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm currently in production of my next animated short called Bound, which is a love story, and in development for a coming-of-age story called Coveting.
Interview: February 2024
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Little t
After failing to get her dream job, Alexis questions her inner critic and unravels the origins of her comfort food.
Length: 5:45
Director: Masha Ellsworth
Producer: Masha Ellsworth
Writer: Masha Ellsworth
About the writer, director and producer:
Little t marks MASHA ELLSWORTH's directorial debut through Pixar's co-op program. As a Ukrainian-American, Masha's journey began as a Pixar intern on Ratatouille in 2007, specializing in sets and lighting, before moving to characters. Her portfolio includes UP, Toy Story 3, Brave, and more. Masha, who was raised in northern Ukraine, holds a double degree in Computer Science and Visual Art from Brigham Young University.
Key cast: Airton Dittz (Director of Photography), Diana Flores (Editor), Adrian Maruri (Sound Designer), Jennifer Rowekamp (Composer)
Instagram: @littletshortfilm
Hashtags used: @littletshortfilm
Website: www.littletshortfilm.com
Other: IMDb
Funders: Self-funded