One Last Time
Biola University — 6-Minute Short Film
Role: Production Designer
Additional Recognition: Grand Jury Prize – Best Short, San Diego International Kids Film Festival
Project Overview
One Last Time is a 6-minute narrative short inspired by a true story that follows Elena, a high school student overwhelmed by the pressure of studying for a major Chinese language exam while navigating grief and family expectations. As she isolates herself in her room to focus on studying, her younger siblings repeatedly interrupt her with small requests, slowly revealing the dynamics of a household learning to cope after the loss of their mother.
What initially appears to be a series of frustrating distractions ultimately builds toward an emotional moment when Elena discovers that her siblings have been preparing a small birthday surprise for her. The film explores themes of family, cultural identity, grief, and the quiet ways love is expressed within everyday moments.
As Production Designer, I developed the visual environment of Elena’s room and surrounding household spaces to reflect the emotional tension between academic pressure, cultural identity, and family life.
Design Goals and Concept
The design for One Last Time centered on creating a single intimate environment that visually communicates Elena’s mental and emotional state. Because most of the film takes place in her bedroom, the space needed to carry both narrative and emotional weight.
The room was designed to feel filled with academic materials—language textbooks, practice exams, dictionaries, and scattered study notes—to emphasize Elena’s intense focus on preparing for the exam. A study plan and calendar with deadlines were prominently displayed on the wall to visually reinforce the pressure she feels to succeed.
Cultural identity also plays a subtle role in the design. Elements such as a Chinese flag and language materials throughout the room connect Elena’s studies with her family background and the larger question of pursuing education abroad. These details help visually support the film’s themes without overwhelming the intimate setting.
As Elena’s stress increases throughout the story, the room gradually becomes more chaotic—papers scatter across the floor, books pile up on the desk, and the carefully organized study environment begins to fall apart. This visual shift mirrors her emotional frustration before the final scene restores a sense of warmth and connection through her siblings’ surprise.
Key design ideas included:
Creating a realistic student study environment filled with books, study materials, and handwritten notes
Using visual clutter to reflect academic pressure and emotional stress
Incorporating subtle cultural elements that connect Elena to her family’s heritage
Designing the space so it could transition from tension and isolation to warmth in the final moment
Responsibilities as Production Designer
As Production Designer, I was responsible for shaping the film’s primary environment and ensuring that every visual element supported the story’s emotional arc.
My responsibilities included:
Designing and dressing Elena’s bedroom to reflect the life of a student preparing for an important exam
Selecting and placing study materials, including books, notebooks, dictionaries, and practice exams
Creating visual storytelling elements such as the marked study calendar and wall decorations
Coordinating the placement of props used throughout the film, including stationery, personal belongings, and desk materials
Designing the visual transition of the room from an organized study space to chaotic frustration as Elena’s stress builds
Preparing the final scene’s props, including the tray with milk tea and the small birthday cake
Working closely with the director to ensure the environment supported the film’s intimate tone and emotional climax
Because the story unfolds almost entirely in a single room, careful attention to detail was essential in making the space feel both authentic and emotionally expressive.
Final Result
The final film uses a simple bedroom setting to tell a deeply personal story about grief, pressure, and family support. Through thoughtful production design, Elena’s room becomes more than just a backdrop—it visually reflects her inner struggle while grounding the film's emotional journey.
The transformation of the space—from a tense study environment to a moment of quiet celebration—helps reinforce the story’s central message about the importance of family and perseverance.
One Last Time went on to receive the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short at the San Diego International Kids Film Festival, recognizing the film’s emotional storytelling and performances.
Below are location scouting images, prop preparation, production stills, and behind-the-scenes photos documenting the design process from pre-production through filming.
