Graduation Year
2026
Date of Submission
4-2026
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Film Studies
Reader 1
James Morrison
Abstract
Overton is a short narrative film that follows Mersault, a young man whose isolation, financial pressures, and immersion in algorithmically curated online content culminate in an act of violence against his neighbor.
The accompanying paper situates the film within two intersecting concerns. The first is a critique of the contemporary online ecosystem, where algorithmic amplification rewards sensationalism and rage-baiting. The second is the visual language of Alfred Hitchcock, particularly his fragmentation of violence across accumulated shots and his concept of "pure cinema," where meaning emerges through visual grammar rather than dialogue. By borrowing these techniques, Overton attempts to convey the restless, deteriorating mental state of a chronically online generation through editing rather than exposition. The paper also reflects on the production itself, including the technical and creative shortcomings I would address if given the chance to make the film again.
Recommended Citation
Behan, Hale B., "Overton" (2026). CMC Senior Theses. 4093.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/4093
Streaming Media
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
