How I came up with the world, characters, & aesthetics of “Infatuation”

[“Six Eyes” (fanart of Satoru Gojo from “Jujutsu Kaisen”) by @lunarelles on X]

  • I find myself often writing with inspiration from films, television shows, and even video games that I’m a fan of. The urban fantasy genre, most often associated with the 2000s and early 2010s, is one of my biggest inspirations, especially for this film. In this section, I looked at my favorites of the urban fantasy genre and how they influenced my film, as well as other major inspirations for the aesthetics and themes of the screenplay.
  • Urban Fantasy Television of the 2000s
    • Supernatural
      • Follows two brothers hunting monsters, all started when their monster-hunting father disappears
      • Came out in 2005, ran until 2021
      • Takes place in America, traveling across different cities and states
      • Brings up questions of “what is family,” “what is moral in a world of secrecy and monsters,” and “what are you willing to sacrifice”
      • Inspired the American aesthetic, the importance of family and finding family, the concept of a secret hierarchical society

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
    • Follows Buffy, a chosen-one Slayer, and her adventures fighting monsters while trying to navigate her new high school (and eventually college)
    • Came out in 1997, ran until 2003
    • Takes place in Sunnydale, California, over the Hellmouth
    • Brings up issues of feminism, exploitation of youth, morality, and what is means to have power
    • Inspired the idea that women are more likely to be Hunters, the idea of dreams being mystical in the Sasaki family, and the idea of a whole secret society existing
  • Grimm
    • Follows Nick, a detective who discovers he is a Grimm, someone capable of seeing monsters that inspired folktales known as Wesen
    • Came out in 2011, ran until 2017
    • Takes place in Portland, Oregon
    • Brings up questions of “what makes someone a monster” 
    • Inspired the idea that only Hunters could see Lightstalkers
  • Other Huge Influences
    • Jujutsu Kaisen
      • 2020-present TV show & a 2021 movie
      • Secret society of people with powers fighting “curses”
      • Influenced themes of tragic romance, found family, constraints and corruption of hierarchy
      • Mariko’s ancestor and child are both named Megumi as a reference to this influence
    • Love Actually
      • 2003 British romcom
      • Takes place around Christmas
      • Follows multiple different romances, some positive, some tragic
      • Plays into the cinematography and sound for my film’s romantic aspects
    • Slay the Princess
      • 2022 visual novel video game
      • Fantasy, cosmic horror
      • Inspired the designs for the Children of Desdemona a bit
      • Inspired some of the sound design and reflects the cyclical nature of violence
    • Chasing Amy (and the rest of the View Askewniverse)
      • 1997 romcom/romantic drama
      • Takes place within a larger comedy movie universe
      • Inspired the cinematography and aesthetics
      • Ties into the themes of queerness and self-sabotage