With her fame fading after being replaced by a younger model, a former scream queen takes to the convention circuit to maintain some semblance of relevance in this dark satirical comedy from writer-director-star Karen Gillan. Sporting a Halloween-store set of fake pouty lips, the former 'Doctor Who (2005-)' and current(?) 'Marvel' start draws on her own experience with overly enthusiastic - and vocal - fanbases to craft a bleak and fairly damning representation of the industry. As well as commenting on fan bases, the piece takes aim at the way in which the industry often coldly tosses actors aside once they reach a certain age and it also looks at what fame - and the subsequent lack of it - can do to a person's mental health. 'Conventional (2015)' bites off quite a bit and it makes its points well, the simplicity of its narrative enhancing its poignancy rather than dampening it. It's also a good showcase for Gillan's acting abilities, as she delivers a strong performance that's highlighted by some tragic monologues. Its tone balances humour and horror well, and the short is ultimately as entertaining as it is disturbing. It's a solid effort overall, even if there seemingly isn't all that much to it.
