Stage fright

Hold on

Kyra is a young cellist on her way to becoming an outstanding soloist. During an important concert one of the strings of her cello comes lose, unnerving her; this results in a panic attack and stage fright. Her anxiety and loneliness become too much to handle, but quitting is not an option.

It begins with an elevated heart rate. Sweaty palms, weak knees … and a familiar feeling of fear in the pit of your stomach. Whether addressing a large audience from the podium, or center stage, under the heat of a spotlight, stage fright can afflict even the most talented entertainers. From mild jitters to complete paralysis, performance anxiety manifests itself in many forms. And though there is no magic cure, some coping mechanisms (breathing exercises, imagining your audience is naked) have been known to help. But what happens when all else fails, and the success of your career hinges on delivering a powerful performance in front of a large crowd?

“Hold On” follows Kyra, an accomplished cellist, as she struggles to regain her confidence after a setback on stage. Playing out like a twisted psychological thriller reminiscent of Black Swan and Whiplash, the film takes a dark turn as Kyra’s insecurities lead her towards a dangerous addiction. Inspired by true stories of classical musicians dealing with performance anxiety, Scott-Wilson’s expertly crafted script examines the fierce competitiveness among the players and the unhealthy stigma towards emotional weakness. While some musicians would argue that some anxiety is a normal part of public performance and that all players should compete on a level playing field, Scott-Wilson fears this attitude creates an alienating environment prone to addiction. In Kyra’s case, bottling up her emotions creates an unhealthy cocktail of ambition and fear.