//a short film by hal whitman
stop it.
the morning he cannot get out of
//synopsis
Finding that negative thoughts reset the day, a young man is stuck in a loop of self-deprecating madness. Once he cannot have a negative thought, that’s when he can get through the day.
A man’s worst day keeps repeating, and every time it starts over his own head supplies more advice about how to fix it. Affirmations, breathing exercises, a voice telling him to sit with the feeling. The comedy is aimed at all of that, not at him. He is having a terrible time.
this film deals with self-harm and suicidal thinking. if it reaches something in you, Find A Helpline lists free, confidential helplines by country.
//cast
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headshot to come
ali galvin
liz
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headshot to come
mary holland
katie
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headshot to come
thomas long
chris
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claire smith
caroline
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jessica wang
erica
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headshot to come
hal whitman
himself
//credits
| written and directed by | hal whitman |
|---|---|
| produced by | mary holland |
| director of photography | samuel diaz |
| production design | mary holland |
| editor | hal whitman |
| sound design | edward o’neil |
| music | edward o’neil |
| year | 2026 |
|---|---|
| runtime | 8 min |
| aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| shooting format | digital, 4K |
| sound | 5.1 |
| language | English |
| exhibition formats | DCP, ProRes 422 HQ, H.264 |
| shot | three days |
| location | Los Angeles, USA |
| shooting dates | 26–29 May 2026 |
| camera | Sony FX9 |
| lenses | Angénieux zoom kit, 15–40mm and 30–90mm |
//questions
what is stop it. about?
Finding that negative thoughts reset the day, a young man is stuck in a loop of self-deprecating madness. Once he cannot have a negative thought, that’s when he can get through the day.
how long is stop it.?
8 min. It is 16:9, digital, 4K, 5.1 sound, in English.
who wrote and directed stop it.?
Hal Whitman wrote and directed it. The cast is Ali Galvin, Mary Holland, Thomas Long, Claire Smith, Jessica Wang, Hal Whitman.
where can i watch stop it.?
It has not screened publicly yet. Festival dates and public screenings are posted on the screenings page, and a screening is listed only once its venue, city and date are verified.
how do i programme stop it. for a festival?
Write to iv@esque.design. Exhibition formats are DCP, ProRes 422 HQ, H.264.