The First Hard Stare of the Morning, or: Hmmm, Okay (2022) is a very short animation film that considers the first hard stare we give ourselves in the morning, the stare that is only possible when there is no one else in the room: appraising, direct and unflinching. With natural sound (mechanical bird song). The film is made up of 95 drawings made by the artist of her own face, using charcoal, ink and pastels. [37 seconds] Completion date: 17th August 2022.

The First Hard Stare of the Morning was an Official Selection in the Life Screenings One Minute Film Festival - December 2022. Curated by Banks Helfrich. Screened via Facebook on Saturday 3rd December 2022, including participation by Cally Trench in a Q&A with the curator.

The First Hard Stare of the Morning was included in a showreel in Exploring inside the box: Recent works by Tineke Bruijnzeels and Cally Trench, an exhibition at Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot (September-November 2022).

A previous film, In The Mirror, used the same drawings, but has now been withdrawn.