(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 fight to reclaim her life while coping with PTSD in the male‑dominated world of special effects. With raw emotion, resilience, and moments of unexpected charm, this character-driven story invites men to walk in a woman’s shoes—aiming to spark dialogue and reach the audiences who can help change it most: 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
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 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
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, family home, school.
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.
It takes collective strength—and imagination—to turn survival into freedom.