The Borrower's Hypnotist | CalArts 2023 Film | Michelle Tang

Hello! My fourth year thesis student film, The Borrower's Hypnotist, is finally released!
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Short Synopsis: Aria, a young woman struggling with her identity, seeks out the help of a hypnotist to regain control of her life.
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Director: Michelle Tang @txmichh

Music: Joshua David Mitchell
Supervising Sound Editor & Mix: Jack Weiss
Assistant Sound Designer: Oliver Snook
Background Painter: Meghna Rajan
Recording Engineer: Aria Dines
Re-Recording Mixer: Daniel Eaton
Cast: Chacha Tahng - Aria
Erica Malachowski - The Hypnotist & Girl 3
Rebecca Chiara Marano - Bathroom Girl 1 & 2
Chinese Simplified & Traditional Subtitles: May Yan
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Watch other films made by my classmates:
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[KomoliRihyoh]

I love how all the reflections, both in the office and in Aria's mind, are slightly lagging behind

[lezlue]

I love how she said OUR face is waiting, not your face is waiting. She knows full well she’s just gonna steal the girl’s identity. Also she said once a borrower, always a thief. The patient girl is already a borrower, so according to that saying, there is no hope for the girl. She’s already cursed to be a thief. She was already “once a borrower.” Foreshadowing.

[Foster_j]

WOAH, WHAT A TWIST I LOVE IT SO MUCH, The story was amazing, and the quiet foreshadowing, hidden perfectly. The visuals fit the story so well! Awesome job!!

[shoshanatai]

This is so good. It reminds me of that saying that when you keep on trying to be someone else, you end up losing your own self

[meepducki.n.c]

I love that your films have a dark twist at the end, it shows that you're not afraid to explore heartbreak, and second-guessing in the art of entertainment, without directly handing entertainment to the viewer.

[JDM_Score]

Ahhhh, Michelle! Thank you so much for letting me be a small part of this amazing film! I loved working on it with you and am proud to have contributed to it!

[jenny]

ive never seen anything in my life describing what it is like to look back and try to find yourself, through all the transformations we have in our lives so accurately and so beautifully.

[yuzuwufushimi]

I did NOT expect this to be so good oh my The way you use colors and design characters and create atmospheres is so impeccable and the mix of 2d with 3d jfc i’m so in love

[anacoanagoldenflower]

I love the animation style, and I'm a sucker for not-quite-right reflections and glitching; I'm a therapist (though I promise without borrowing others' faces, despite needing to do that when I was younger to survive!) and this is going to be a splendid little film to show one of the groups I'm doing for teenagers.

[the_fangirl_cat]

Omg Lake is in the cupboard! He must have gone searching for himself again nad was imprisoned for stealing his brothers face! 😲🤯

[batkittii]

I am in awe of this absolutely beautiful creation..

[teneelong.]

That can’t be all we need a whole series who agrees

[ed_cmntonly]

5:22 LAKE?! OH MY GOD THE MICHELLE TANG CINEMATIC UNIVERSE IS REAL

[saladglove]

This is so AMAZING, the music is fantastic. This is one of the few short films I've watched that has actually kept me engaged with the story, and I didn't feel like I knew what was going to happen. Awesome work!

[Pharaogon]

I’m here from your last short film, and this is even better than thd first! The twist at the end is amazing, and the subtle nods throughout the film to the twist at the end like the delayed reflection and the glitches in Aria’s appearance really add up at the end. Bravo!

[kelseye.]

Wow!! These CalArts films are always my favorite things to watch, and I think you've created my new favorite! Your talent is absolutely incredible- not only is your art amazing, but your direction and story telling is so gripping! Hope to see even more from you in the future!

[paragonstierlister]

PLEASE MAKE PART 2 OF THE TWINS OF THE BORROW HYPNOTIST

[annas]

Incredible work! Such fluid animation and unique camera work

[Symphony_Toonz]

Who how wha That twist was something I did not see coming

[grammaticaldevelopment]

The metaphor of reclaiming one's original self in therapy is beautifully rendered. The admonition against losing one's genuine self is important. The film making is also quite lovely. Thank you.