Foretoken
omen of the outsiders
MY ROLES
"Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders" is a historical short film set in ancient England during the Roman invasion. It follows Énna and her brother Áedh after their father's death leaves them vulnerable. Áedh's betrayal leads to his tragic demise, and the climax reveals Énna’s transformation from a grieving daughter into a fierce warrior determined to seek vengeance. The film explores themes of betrayal, resistance, and survival, set against a visually striking and emotionally charged narrative.
Producer / Writer / Director / Cinematographer / Editor / colourist / costume designer
OVERVIEW
VISION
From the outset, execution and budget were my top priorities. My aim was to create an epic 20-minute historical drama that fully immerses audiences in an ancient world. Despite a tight budget, I focused on creative solutions—like leveraging natural light and practical effects—to ensure grand cinematic scale without compromising world-building or character depth.
CHALLENGES
We faced numerous challenges during production, traveling over 1,400 miles to stunning locations for an immersive backdrop. With a small crew—just me and my assistant—carrying over 50kg of equipment to each site, adaptability was key. We worked in unpredictable weather, often starting at 4 A.M. and wrapping up past midnight, which required constant motivation and energy management for the crew and cast.
TECHNIQUES
DIRECTION
My directing approach centered on creating authentic, grounded performances. I collaborated closely with each actor to help them understand their characters' motivations and emotional arcs. Without a fight instructor, I guided the actors through choreography, ensuring that the action felt natural and believable.
During rehearsals, I tailored my direction to each actor, finding unique ways to communicate that made the process clear and effective. By providing specific, actionable feedback, I facilitated nuanced, emotionally rich performances that aligned with the story’s tone. For emotionally charged scenes, I combined rehearsal with improvisation, allowing actors to express raw, genuine emotions comfortably on camera.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
I relied almost exclusively on natural lighting, requiring constant adaptation to the rapidly changing light conditions in the Welsh mountains. For night scenes, I shot during the blue hour and conducted extensive pre-production tests with the ARRI Alexa Mini, pushing the camera’s limits in extreme low-light conditions to achieve the desired look without introducing noise.
I strategically used wide-angle lenses with a closed aperture to immerse characters within their environment. For intense moments, I switched to tighter lenses and handheld shots to heighten tension and intimacy. Every camera movement was meticulously pre-planned to emphasize key moments and create a more immersive experience.
COLOUR GRADING
The color grading reflects the bleakness of the story and the harshness of the world while highlighting the landscape's natural beauty. This approach creates a cinematic balance between raw emotion and scenic grandeur, achieved through extensive testing to capture the precise look I envisioned.
FILM EDITING
In editing, I focused on crafting a strong opening hook to capture attention and set the stage for a slower-paced world-building that builds anticipation. I strategically used slow-motion moments to amplify high-emotion scenes, enhancing their dramatic impact.
SOUND DESIGN
Sound design was pivotal in immersing the audience and enhancing high-tension sequences. We iterated through numerous designs to align perfectly with our vision, ensuring a captivating auditory experience.
MUSIC
The score became an integral part of the film, with our talented composer crafting music that matched every emotional beat and on-screen moment, enriching the overall narrative.
VFX
Visual effects were minimal, enhancing crowd scenes and removing unwanted objects. Most effects were achieved in-camera or through editing, allowing us to allocate the budget to other key production areas.
FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHY
The fight scenes required carefully choreographed sequences. With no budget for a fight instructor, the choreography was designed for the actors to execute easily while maintaining a realistic look. Precise planning ensured that both filming and editing captured the intensity and authenticity of the action.
COSTUME DESIGN
Our costumes were primarily sourced from pre-made role-playing outfits, which we modified, weathered, and hand-painted to fit the film's needs. To achieve historical accuracy, we used real armor, weapons, and shields, all weathered for authenticity. For the army scenes, we hired local live-action reenactors who provided their own gear, offering a budget-friendly option that maintained realism.
RECEPTION
"Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders" has garnered widespread acclaim, securing several smaller awards. It won Best Cinematography at the Tokyo International Short Film Festival and was honored as Best Short Film at both the Budapest Film Fest. The film has been widely praised for its stunning cinematography, emotional resonance, and compelling performances, particularly by Maya Katherine in her role as Énna.
AWARD WINNER - TOKYO INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
AWARD WINNER - BUDAPEST FILM FEST - BEST SHORT FILM
AWARD WINNER - BUDAPEST FILM FEST - BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
AWARD WINNER - MIS - BEST SHORT FILM
Notable quotes from reviews:
“In conclusion, “Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders” stands as a testament to the incredible achievements that skilled filmmakers can accomplish even with limited budgets. The film seamlessly weaves together a compelling script, strong performances, outstanding cinematography, and a captivating musical score. Tamas Levardi’s directorial finesse shines through, delivering an epic short film that resonates with its audience, leaving them in awe of its storytelling prowess.”
“The result is a riveting tale that stands as a fantastic piece of filmmaking, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer. Levardi’s meticulous attention to detail and the stellar performances from the cast make this short film a captivating and memorable cinematic treat. “
“We count ourselves lucky to be sent a short film where the director (and also writer, producer, and cinematographer in this case) Tamas Levardi has impressively pushed to make sure all aspects of his short film Foretoken – Omen of the Outsiders tick all the correct boxes.”
“Foretoken: Omen of the Outsiders is immersive, powerful and a masterclass in what can be done in short film.”
BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO and PHOTOS
