Disfluency (2025) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A college student navigates trauma and communication barriers to reclaim her voice and agency.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Return to Silence

Jane returns to her family lake house after failing her final course, struggling with withdrawal and apologetic behavior. She navigates daily life with her sister Lacey while concealing the cause of her academic collapse.

Key Events

• Academic Collapse — Jane fails her final course under unclear circumstances. Characters: Jane Location: College Campus
• Return to Lake House — Jane returns home, withdrawn and frequently apologetic. Characters: Jane, Lacey Location: Michigan Lake House
• Family Reintegration — Struggles to readjust to life at home with family. Characters: Jane, Lacey Location: Michigan Lake House
• Reconnecting with Jordan — Reconnects with childhood friends and longtime crush Jordan. Characters: Jane, Jordan Location: Michigan Lake House
• Emotional Distance — Remains emotionally distant due to fragmented memories. Characters: Jane, Jordan Location: Michigan Lake House

Signs of Struggle

Jane reconnects with childhood friends Jordan and Amber, teaching Amber's son sign language. This process forces her to confront her own communication difficulties and fragmented memories.

Key Events

• Emotional Distance — Remains emotionally distant due to fragmented memories. Characters: Jane, Jordan Location: Michigan Lake House
• Meeting Amber — Reconnects with former childhood friend Amber. Characters: Jane, Amber Location: Michigan Lake House
• Suspecting Deafness — Suspects Amber’s young son is deaf. Characters: Jane, Amber Location: Michigan Lake House
• Teaching ASL — Begins teaching American Sign Language. Characters: Jane, Amber Location: Michigan Lake House
• Communication Struggles — Jane realizes her own difficulties in communicating. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Memory Fragmentation — Experiences fragmented memories related to a traumatic incident. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House

Unearthing the Past

Suppressed trauma surfaces as anxiety peaks, revealing a sexual assault that caused her withdrawal. Jane battles intense guilt and shame while Amber and her family provide crucial support.

Key Events

• Memory Fragmentation — Experiences fragmented memories related to a traumatic incident. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Anxiety Intensifies — Anxiety from suppressed memories intensifies. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Assault Revelation — Discovers trauma was a sexual assault causing withdrawal. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Guilt and Shame — Grapples with feelings of guilt, shame, and fear. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Amber’s Encouragement — Growing bond with Amber provides emotional support. Characters: Jane, Amber Location: Michigan Lake House
• Family Support — Family offers unwavering support during crisis. Characters: Jane, Lacey Location: Michigan Lake House

Voices Unbound

Encouraged by her loved ones, Jane articulates her experience through sign language, achieving a major breakthrough. She reclaims her agency and resolves to return to college with renewed confidence.

Key Events

• Family Support — Family offers unwavering support during crisis. Characters: Jane, Lacey Location: Michigan Lake House
• Articulating Trauma — Finds the means to articulate her experience. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Signing the Truth — Discloses the assault using sign language. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Communication Breakthrough — Breakthrough in ability to communicate what happened. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Reclaiming Agency — Begins to reclaim a sense of agency. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Summer Conclusion — Summer ends, recovery remains ongoing. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House
• Returning to College — Resolves to return to college. Characters: Jane Location: College Campus
• Confronting Trauma — Moves forward with greater clarity and confidence. Characters: Jane Location: Michigan Lake House

Story Breakdown

• Academic Collapse & Return — Jane fails her final course and retreats to her family lake house to hide her struggles.
  • Unclear Final Failure — Jane's academic performance collapses under mysterious circumstances.
  • Lake House Retreat — Jane returns to Michigan to live with her family away from campus.
• Family Dynamics & Isolation — Jane cohabitates with her sister and parents while maintaining emotional distance.
  • Sisterly Cohabitation — Jane and Lacey navigate shared domestic space during a difficult summer.
  • Parental Support System — Parents provide a stable environment for Jane's gradual recovery.
• Reconnecting with Friends — Jane reaches out to childhood acquaintances while battling internal trauma.
  • Jordan Crush Rekindled — Jane reconnects with her longtime crush but remains emotionally guarded.
  • Amber Childhood Bond — Jane reunites with Amber, a former friend now navigating single motherhood.
• ASL Teaching & Self-Discovery — Teaching sign language forces Jane to confront her own communication deficits.
  • Deaf Son Suspicions — Jane suspects Amber's young son is deaf and offers to help.
  • Communication Deficits — Jane realizes her own speech and language struggles mirror her trauma.
• Trauma Suppression & Anxiety — Suppressed memories surface, revealing a sexual assault that caused her withdrawal.
  • Fragmented Memory Flashes — Jane experiences disjointed recollections of a traumatic incident.
  • Assault Revelation — Jane identifies the trauma as a sexual assault that triggered her collapse.
• Confrontation & Articulation — Supported by loved ones, Jane finds a way to express her experience.
  • Amber Emotional Anchor — Amber's patience and encouragement provide a safe space for disclosure.
  • Sign Language Disclosure — Jane uses sign language to finally articulate the assault to her family.
• Recovery & Forward Motion — Jane reclaims her agency and prepares to face the future with clarity.
  • Agency Reclamation — Jane begins to take control of her narrative and emotional healing.
  • College Return Decision — Jane resolves to return to school and confront her trauma with confidence.

Directed by

Anna Baumgarten

Key Cast

• Molly Hagan — Professor Parker
• Libe Barer — Jane
• Ariela Barer — Lacey
• Chelsea Alden — Amber
• Dylan Arnold — Jordan