Cappies Review: 'Ink' At Annandale High School

By Cora Barr of Quince Orchard High School

It is difficult to produce a well-done horror film because "scary elements" are often overused or cliched. Annandale High School's recent student-written production of Ink brought an innovative and fresh approach to the genre of horror, and it was all done on a virtual platform.

The short film placed the audience in the middle of a virtual meeting between five high school students who need to collaborate on a presentation assigned to them by their anatomy teacher. One of the high schoolers isn't feeling well but gifted a vintage pen from a local thrift shop to her best friend, who was also on the call. A seemingly innocent gift created a traumatic and horrific event for the students as they discovered that the pen had hidden power.

Ink was a completely student-written production created by five talented writers, who served as both the cast and crew. The short film was almost entirely shot in one take, which is extremely impressive considering the many potential errors that could have occurred through virtual production. The film flowed very nicely, with no long pauses between lines. Some lines overlapped and were slightly inaudible, but it created a relatable and realistic feeling to the production because every person who has interacted in a virtual platform knows that mistimed audio is an inevitable part of the experience.

Parker (Miguel Orozco) was a class clown and sunglasses enthusiast who joins the virtual call mainly to make pasta puns rather than to provide help with the anatomy presentation. Orozco's portrayal of Parker provided excellent and hilarious comedic relief from the tension of the show. The audience couldn't help but giggle at his consistent interruptions.

When she joined the call, Lily (Amanda Weaver) was a kindhearted student who simply wanted to give a gift to her best friend and work on an anatomy presentation with her classmates. Weaver's execution of a confused, pained Lily as she was slowly taken over by an evil spirit was flawless. Weaver was able to effectively play a possessed high schooler through a wide range of emotions, from caring and compassionate to downright evil.

Weaver was also talented when it comes to technical elements. She was in charge of the ghoulish special effects that were presented towards the end of the film when tragedy struck. The scene was truly terrifying and the intensity of the moment was emphasized by the reactions of the other students on the call.

Yuna (Han Le), the receiver of the pen and Lily's best friend, was perhaps the girl who can't help but believe that she was responsible for the haunting event that occurred over the virtual call. Le's distressed Yuna was exhibited perfectly. Through Le's heavy breathing and stiff, shaky limbs, there was no doubt that Yuna was truly petrified.

Despite having to produce the film virtually and on a low budget, Annandale's incorporation of technical elements of theatre production was truly admirable. Suspense built as the actors turned their cameras on and off, and dark and color-changing lighting was used to create a creepy, unsettling mood throughout the film.

Ink had the audience checking inside their closets and under their beds for possible "shadow demons" after the production concluded, and the fact that the film was viewed on Friday the 13th did not ease their anxiety. If you are a fan of the horror genre, be sure to view Annandale High School's original short film Ink. But beware, it's "pasta-ble" that you will not be able to fall asleep afterward.

The Annandale High School show is available to watch for free at https://youtu.be/6_-vxxKtQIM.