Superhero

by Judith Toh

After coming across a blog about military husband reunions online, I was inspired to write a short film script about some of these stories. Even though it is more common to be a military husband as compared to the past, I was intrigued by the change in gender roles and the significant role these female soldiers play in their husbands’ lives. And with Max’s obsession with superheroes, this parallels his immense love for his wife too.

Judith is a third year Media and Communications student, currently specialising in Screen Fiction. As an aspiring filmmaker, she enjoys jotting down ideas and scripts that center around anything she is particularly passionate about. This includes stories from her Singaporean background, or meet cutes she would gush about, but with a little twist.

She can be found on Instagram at @qmtoh.

from the Editor

A very heartwarming story! It is very engaging and I can absolutely envision scene by scene on how it goes. I love the subtle character hints throughout the script and the low-key yet warming reveal at the end.

Ingrid (Squiddy)

Last Girl

Sensitive Content: Violence

by Lou Cody

I wrote this piece in response to the biphobia I had witnessed many of my friends’ experience from lesbian women. It is by no means an attack on all lesbians, obviously!! But rather a huge caricature of those sorts of people, in order to highlight how ridiculous their ideology is.

Lou Cody is a third year BA media & communications student with a passion for screenwriting. They enjoy writing scripts that tackle subversive LGBTQ+ issues to bring visibility to a marginalized community. Humorous dialogue and charming characters are also integral to their work.

They can be found on Instagram at @lou.cody.

from the Editor

This was so fun to read, I had no idea where it was going to go but I enjoyed all of it. I really like the subtle build up to the climax, and there are also some very iconic lines. Not going into too much detail for fear of spoiling!

Shayda Soleiman

Hot Pot

by Ingrid Ng

‘Hotpot’ follows a group of international students shopping for their hotpot night, while sharing their struggles of being homesick and how hotpot culture reminds them of home. Using the nature of hotpot (popular group activity to gather friends and family), they expressed that the process of preparing for hotpot and enjoying it as a way of coping with their homesickness and loneliness being miles away from home.

Ingrid (Squiddy) is a Year 3 Media & Comms student from Hong Kong, they are also one of the editors of GoldDust magazine. They are passionate about storytelling through visuals and food, therefore alongside their crew (Aseel, Peijia and Ziyu) they have decided to create a short documentary about hotpot culture in the UK.

Ingrid can be found on Instagram at @tfei.ng.

from the Editor

Hot pot holds a very special place in my heart, and I would like to thank Ingrid for bringing back the cosy memories through this documentary short. Not only is it a delectable feast, it is a yummy affair that brings people together.

Judith Toh

Tania

by Fred

Tania was so much fun to make. I love how Graham looks like a real life Pixar character. He was also a pleasure to work with, not only bringing lots of enthusiasm, but a little model fishing rod that he made himself. Working with Lola, Leyla, Hannah and Ryan on this project is a highlight of a turbulent University experience. The project started with a story about being mad, but turned into something much sweeter, which we all definitely need. Hope you like it!

Frederic Hall is an editor for gold dust. They listen to lots of audiobooks and podcasts, they love any and every story. As many people are, they are very insecure about their work. Their dream is to be a cheesy, dark academia, editor/writer who most likely drinks and smokes too much.

from the Editor

Such a heartfelt and warm film! I loved how there were hardly any words but the character’s facially expressions and the camera movement and sounds were enough to express the emotions within the film.

Anna Bokan

The Moon Looks Strange Tonight

by Ipek Besik

Ipek is a Media and Communications alumni. She currently lives in Istanbul, Turkey and works at an NGO protecting freedom of speech. She enjoys weird stories, good films and long car rides.

She can be found on Instagram at @ipekbesik.

from the Editor

I was having so much fun reading it, I was completely caught off guard by the ending. What an adorable plot twist.

Shayda Soleiman