(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 with PTSD in the male‑dominated world of special effects. Through this character study, the film confronts male violence against women, with a particular focus on reaching male audiences.
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
director’s statement
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 FX. Revered by a small world-wide 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) keeps his vision and interest centered closely around him. Prism is his only constant as they shuttle between parents.
Nolan Langton, (40s) manipulative, controlling. Uses a charming facade to psychologically torment his wife and children to maintain power.
Sergeant Wu (30s) 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, helpful to Cady and her children. She loves 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 the outside world. 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 work at OddFX.
locations
locations
locations
And the testosterone fueled domain of OddFX, a special effects shop, where men craft elaborate scenes of pretend violence. In this world, violence is a meticulously constructed illusion, a stark contrast to the brutal reality faced by the women seeking refuge.
Cady and her children must navigate two unique and contrasting worlds.
The female world of a domestic violence shelter where women face the chilling reality of homicidal violence
why this film now?
Freedom is never won alone.
It takes collective strength—and imagination—to turn survival into freedom.
