Printer Head

The writer-director Frances McIlvain weaves a gripping storyline blending horror with drama increasing the degree of audience engagement with the content. Jeremiah Soderstrom, Teej Morgan Arzola, Lucas Milani, and Amy Burke understand McIlvain’s vision and make a mark on the viewer’s mind even with a short running time.

The plot of Printer Head revolves around a lowly office worker who is thrust into mayhem as he rushes to get an important document printed by the end of the day.

Printer Head opens with a long shot of a printer and a background sound followed by a series of close-up shots as well the extreme close-up shots of it working tirelessly to establish the subject matter of the film. The writer-director Frances McIlvain utilises white colour for the name of the movie Printer Head to symbolise coldness and isolation which provides depth to the narrative keeping the audience hooked to it. The set design, the black white colour pallet, camera angles, lighting, sound, dialogues, costume, hair, makeup, and props have been incorporated into the storyline naturally so that it complements all the elements of storytelling to keep the viewers waiting for the climax eagerly.

In terms of performance, Jeremiah Soderstrom plays the leading man Alex who is an employee in a company and reports to his female boss. He is a sincere, dedicated worker. Alex seems to be overworked but he couldn’t deny a task that needed immediate action. Soderstrom with his body language, voice modulation, facial expressions, and eyes are all on point to mimic the employee and employer equation adding realism as well as relatability to the character arc therefore building an emotional connection with Alex.

Amy Burke plays Alex’s immediate boss. Amy Burke lends her voice to the character. Burke’s screen time is very limited but she leaves a strong impression on the audience and also helps establish the corporate situation required to pace up the screenplay.

Teej Morgan Arzola plays the role of Morgan who is both a colleague and a good friend to Alex. Morgan brilliantly depicts how layered people in the office environment can be. The calm voice tone utilised by the young actor to create a comparison between Morgan and Alex’s characters.

Lucas Milani is the antagonist of the narrative hooded figure who tricks Alex into a situation from which he can’t go back. Milani portrays the hooded figure with so much conviction that the viewers too feel helplessness and fear felt by the protagonist all through the running time of Printer Head.

Printer Head talks about the various relationships in office and it also teaches us how one should deal with the same. The short film reiterates that doing tasks assigned by the boss proves one’s sincerity as well as dedication but taking care of wellbeing/ mental health is equally crucial. The cinematic highlights the cons of online shopping advising the viewers to be careful every time. The creative piece also talks about handling technology with utmost responsibility as it has the associated risk attached to it.