Branden Taylor’s ‘Notice’ is a simmering workplace drama that dares to ask: how much of ourselves are we willing to give away for a paycheck – and at what cost?
Set in a typical office, the short captures the quiet unraveling of Evie (Olivia Colone), a diligent employee suddenly burdened with extra responsibilities after a colleague is let go. Days she had carefully scheduled off are swept aside by her boss, Mr. Turner (Dre Stevenson), a man whose praise rings hollow when weighed against his disregard for her boundaries. Her only emotional refuge is Simone (Shaniya Simmons), a co-worker who offers a listening ear but not much else in a system designed to grind everyone down equally.
Taylor’s writing is direct, uncompromising, and smart – never pandering, never melodramatic. The dialogue hits a nerve, especially when Evie confesses she’s “selling her soul to the corporate world,” a moment that feels less like a line and more like a collective scream.
The film’s production may be low-budget, but it doesn’t show in the essentials. Greg Smith’s cinematography and the sound design are respectable, subtle, and professional, grounding the story in realism without dulling its emotional edge.
Colone gives a standout performance – restrained but brimming with resentment, fatigue, and self-awareness. You feel her exhaustion not just physically, but spiritually. She is the asset who knows she’s being mined until empty.
‘Notice’ is a snapshot of emotional erosion. It’s bold in its quietness, relatable in its tension, and powerful in its refusal to dress up a truth most of us already know: loyalty at work is rarely mutual. And sometimes, walking away is the only real promotion.
