Help please! Idea for Short Film.

Hey guys, I kind of new here. I'm actually doing a short film for my school assignment and I just wanted some thoughts on the idea we've come up with.

It's based on Teenage Suicide. Our aim is to raise awareness on the increase in the number of teenagers committing suicide.
So, our main character is on the verge of committing suicide(at the edge of a building) While there are flashes of what happened to him that made him want to take the drastic step.(Like relationship issues, parental issues etc.) We also have to incorporate reverse motion into it. But how then would it make sense? How can we incorporate the reverse motion so that it wouldn't look weird or anything?

For the ending, we're intending on not revealing if he really jumped or not, and leave it to the audience to interpret it the way they want. But our main problem is the reverse motion part. Please help!
 
How does the reverse motion help tell the story? If you are struggling to figure out how to use the effect and have it make sense, then maybe it is not the right effect to use. Most people here will tell you...a better story makes a better movie (not the effects).

Probably not the answer you were looking for, but it was the first thing that came to mind.
 
Now having said that, you could use the reverse to show him walking from the ledge (backwards, slowly) back to the door that leads to the roof. Intercut with that would be the scenes that that you described as being his motivators for jumping. The end could be where the two components meet in the middle, with his hand on the doorknob - pausing to contemplate if he really wants to turn the knob. Of course, this is all very similar to "Memento" in style, so the comparison would most likely be made.

Want to see an interesting use of reverse motion and forward motion together in one movie to tell a story? This may give you some ideas for how to proceed with your own story.
Dead Island trailer
But be warned - this is one of the most sad & depressing things I've seen.

EDIT: NOTE! - I do not intend for this to become a discussion of Dead Island. Please do not comment on the game or the trailer here. I only included it to provide an idea for the original poster to use as potential inspiration.
 
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^You mean a really fast rewind and play? That works too if I know how to get the effect that is. But i can look it up. Thanks!

Now having said that, you could use the reverse to show him walking from the ledge (backwards, slowly) back to the door that leads to the roof. Intercut with that would be the scenes that that you described as being his motivators for jumping. The end could be where the two components meet in the middle, with his hand on the doorknob - pausing to contemplate if he really wants to turn the knob. Of course, this is all very similar to "Memento" in style, so the comparison would most likely be made.

Want to see an interesting use of reverse motion and forward motion together in one movie to tell a story? This may give you some ideas for how to proceed with your own story.
Dead Island trailer
But be warned - this is one of the most sad & depressing things I've seen.

EDIT: NOTE! - I do not intend for this to become a discussion of Dead Island. Please do not comment on the game or the trailer here. I only included it to provide an idea for the original poster to use as potential inspiration.

Thanks, I like that idea.

Or I was also thinking that the reverse motion could be used for his happy memories instead? showing that his happy memories are being erased..
Very true about a good story makes a good film. My group & I will be taking into consideration.
 
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