When's the last time you listened to Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel"? Most people heard his breakout hit and were then inspired to create music. Brittney Rae listened to it on a train one day and decided to make a short film inspired by that and various other influences.
Proximity tells the tale of a bellhop (Ricky Herrera) and a desk clerk (played by Brittney herself) who bond over their troubled history which eventually sparks a romance between the two. What's great about how Brittney tells the story is that she doesn't necessarily show her hand and there’s enough ambiguity both with the characters and how the story ends to keep you wanting more.
Another great aspect of the film to appreciate is the attention to detail in the production design and costume design. A lot of the shots focus on the background as well as the characters and how they mesh with the background and how the color scheme (particularly the color red) is accentuated on screen. Brittney also showcases her experience with production design in her first short "Kin".
There's definitely influence’s from notable directors such as Wes Anderson or Baz Luhrmann with how she crafts her scenes from the whip sound effect you'll hear every time she takes a bite of her Twizzlers, and it’s whimsical as well as aesthetically pleasing. I'll definitely be on the lookout for her upcoming projects in the future as well as continuing to watch her various sketches. Definitely check this one out when you have the time.