An introverted bellhop and a misanthropic desk clerk connect over their dark pasts and unintentionally become two lovers on the lam

The Short Film chronicles the origin of two lovers on the lam. One, an introverted bellhop, The other a misanthropic desk clerk. You can quickly see the Wes Anderson-esque inspirations in Proximity. But up-and-coming direct-director Brittney Rae puts just enough sauce in it to make it her own. Eccentric characters with short, snappy and sharp dialogues define the unusual and punchy style. Brittney has already started making a name for herself as an actor/performer and is quickly building up fandom. Even though Proximity is only her 2nd short (after KIN), she seems to be a creator at heart.

I was on a subway ride to work listening to music, as you do, and “heartbreak hotel” by Elvis Presley came on. I immediately envisioned the intro to the film. And I listened to it on repeat over and over for the next few Weeks, sketching out any visuals coming to mind with the music. Listening closely to the lyrics I became interested in the history of the song. Upon research I learned that the song was actually written in Tennessee by a woman by the name of Mae Axton (who I play in the film) and brought to another song writer Tommy Durden (who our lead actor Ricky Herrera plays)

Basically she read in (the Miami times) a man jumped out of a hotel window leaving a note behind saying “i walked a lonely street” after finding out his fiancé cheated on him. Mae Axton was struck by this and inspired to write the song, and later brought it to Elvis Presley. I always pictured her reading the story in the paper while sitting in an old fashioned diner. Which is where the diner scene comes from.

This is a fictional story inspired by the real life events that occurred around the making of “Heartbreak hotel.”

It’s about Proximity. How, like a coworker, you can love someone not because they are meant for you but because they are close. How far you can get from your past but still end up carrying things with you. (Mae Axton’s traumatic childhood vs. her oral fixation.)
How lying is used to keep someone at a distance or to bring them closer. And how telling the truth will do the exact same thing.

The film is obviously fore-fronted by its witty characters, but the setting really takes on a life of it own. The attention to detail given to the set design ends up supporting the characters at great lengths. Elements like visual style and strong highlights of red present in the film’s every single shot is the reason why this short comedy with an itty-bit of a storyline is so captivating.