Short Film Creation – “Hard Break”

About the Project

This summer, I wrote, directed, and produced my short film “Hard Break” – a dystopian sci-fi drama set in a world where heartbreak has become weaponized. In the film’s world, a pharmaceutical breakthrough has resulted in a pill that makes people immune to heartbreak. When the protagonist is offered the pill, she grapples with whether to erase her pain or hold on to the feelings that make her human.

The Benenson Award allowed me to transform this concept from a screenplay on my laptop into a tangible, collaborative work of cinema. The award covered expenses including actor compensation, crew support, catering, equipment rentals, and professional post-production. These resources elevated Hard Break to a professional level – one that I feel proud to include in my creative portfolio and plan to submit to festivals over the next several months.

I began by completing the script, incorporating feedback from both Duke faculty mentors and industry contacts. I then cast an ensemble of SAG and non-unionized actors, drawing talent through both regional casting offices and my Duke network. I then assembled a crew, including a director of photography, gaffer, sound recordist, and grips. Pre-production involved heavy planning – from breaking down the script to scouting and securing locations to building shot lists and coordinating schedules.

Filming took place in Durham over the course of three days. Working behind the camera for the first time at this scale was both exhilarating and deeply humbling! I learned how to balance multiple hats as director, producer, and actor, manage on-set dynamics, and adapt quickly when challenges like technical glitches, weather, and actor scheduling conflicts occurred.

I’m currently finishing up post-production, where the Benenson Award has enabled me to collaborate with an experienced team of editors, colorists, and sound designers from across the country to elevate the project visually and audibly.

Having just moved to Los Angeles to continue building a career as a writer, actor, and filmmaker post-grad, this project served as a vital bridge between my academic training at Duke and my professional aspirations. The Benenson Award gave me not only the resources to make “Hard Break” possible, but also the confidence and practical experience to navigate the complexities of independent filmmaking. The final product is a creative milestone – my first fully realized film from script to screen – and a strategic step toward my long-term goal of gaining screenwriting representation and establishing myself as a multifaceted creative voice in the entertainment industry.

I am immeasurably grateful to the Benenson family and the 2025 Student Arts Awards Committee for supporting my vision and helping to make this project a reality!