(odd effects)
A feature film in development
by writer director Catherine Craig
A Mother Must Win—For Her Family, Her Future, Her World.
about
OddFX is a social-impact psychological drama with thriller elements, following a domestic violence survivor’s struggle to rebuild her life while navigating PTSD in the male-dominated world of special effects. Blending raw emotion, resilience, and moments of unexpected charm, this character-driven story invites men to step into a woman’s experience—sparking dialogue and engaging the audience most crucial to ending violence against women—men.
logline
A mother living in a women’s shelter, battling a physically abusive husband and a broken support system, enlists the help of a special FX film crew to defend against her husband’s attacks and save her children.
Sponsored by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman
Screenwriting Lab Finalist Twice
Screenplay Available Upon Request
director’s statement
Cinematography by Jason Doiy
characters
Cady Langton (30s) Intelligent, talented, guarded, protective of her children, self-sufficient, and not prone to suffer fools. In shock and shocked by the dilemma she finds herself in. Alienated from society—trying to reenter but wary of the cost. She is the best camera operator at OddFX.
Barrett Jones (50s) Owner of OddFX, a brilliant man living an arrested childhood making special effects (FX). Revered by a small worldwide following. He helps Cady get her foot in the door and becomes her mentor.
Prism Langton (8) A talented child whose abilities and welfare are overlooked with all that is going on. She tries to mediate between her mother and father and protect her younger brother. When it becomes too much, she escapes into dissassociation by twirling. She wants help with her with her science project.
Parker Langton (6) He keeps his vision and interest centered closely around him. Prism is his only constant as they shuttle between parents.
Nolan Langton (40s) Manipulative, controlling. He uses a charming facade to psychologically torment his wife and children to maintain power.
Sergeant Wu (30s) She is real tired of seeing dead women. It is all life and death for her. She has lost touch with the nuances.
Teisha Ramos (30s) Outgoing, eccentric, aware, and helpful to Cady and her children. Nothing matters more to her than her dog, Frida.
Thena Jones (50) Married to Barrett. Grounded in the real world. Empathetic. She wants Barrett to step outside his curtained-off world and into reality. She sees Cady as an opportunity to get him there.
Yamiah and Rocky (20s) Two of the brilliant men working at OddFX; many have traveled great distances to join the OddFX.
location
Cady and her children must navigate two unique and contrasting worlds.
We have two primary locations, a warehouse that will be used for OddFX and a shelter, which will be in a converted house. The story is written so that it is production-easy; a warehouse, an older house that we will dress for the shelter, the family home, a school a corner store.
OddFX is a story about a traditional special FX shop. It is not an expensive FX film. Many visually cool practical effects can be done for very little money.
Director Catherine Craig brings to the project her extensive professional experience in photo-real digital set extensions and backgrounds, having created many of them for high-profile films such as Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Van Helsing.
why this film now?
Freedom is never won alone.
Authoritarianism is tightening its grip worldwide, often weaponizing abuse to control and silence women. Domestic violence is more than personal tragedy—it’s a global assault that destroys lives and blocks access to an essential yet underused force for progress: women’s creativity and leadership.
At least one in three women worldwide has reported experiencing abuse—though the true number is even higher, as countless cases go unreported. The scale cannot be ignored.
Cady’s journey sharpens this reality. Silenced by violence, she finds voice and power within OddFX, a special effects company where imagination fights back when words are stolen. Her story reflects a powerful truth: women alone cannot end this violence. Real change demands men dismantle domination and take responsibility.
Our mission is clear: spark a vital conversation—especially among men—to call out and educate other men to break this cycle. When voices rise in unity through words, art, and action, transformation becomes unstoppable.
It takes collective strength—and imagination—to turn survival into freedom.