"Returning" - Short Film (2022)

Compelling stories often sprout from conflicted relationships - perhaps with a sibling, a parent, a spouse or something similar. I'm fascinated by the emotional journey characters can go on when they hold grudges, strive for forgiveness or long for love.

This short film, "Returning," is all about conflicted relationships.

"Returning" is an 8-minute short film that portrays the relationship between two brothers after the younger, and more rebellious brother, returns home and finds his older brother upset with the welcome & reward this wayward sibling receives.

This short film was created as part of the Musicbed 2022 short film competition and had a 90-day deadline from start to finish. My writer and main actor, Evan Rosencrantz, and I worked to write the story and script for roughly 30 days. I took on the pre-production logistics (casting, location scouting, shot listing, table reads, etc.), filming responsibilities, and post-production roles.

Though the competition didn't rule in our favor, I still learned some valuable lessons about efficiency, networking, and communication. One of the highlights of this film project came while working with my actors during pre-production script reading sessions to develop chemistry and character - which allowed their conflict to be magnified.

Please enjoy the short film above and various behind the scenes.

CREDITS
Directed & produced by David Ellis, written by Evan Rosencrantz and edited by David Ellis.
Starring: Evan Rosencrantz, Braxton Allgood, Daren Stegelmeier & Marcelle Stegelmeier.