After Midnight
After Midnight is a 15-minute short film about an unexpected night of two totally distinct college students: an emotionally guarded young man shaped by past experiences and a confident yet closeted jock. What begins as a casual hookup gradually transforms into a vulnerable and intimate connection. As the night goes on, deeper layers of longing, identity, and emotional honesty are revealed in a world that often reduces individuals to labels.
The project was made possible by a team of over 20 cast and crew members and is currently in the final stages of post-production. It has been awarded the “Make It Happen Grant” from Barbara J. Burger iZone at the University of Rochester to support its post-production and festival rollout.
I joined the project as Producer because I was interested in supporting a story that amplifies underrepresented voices with emotional honesty and potential to resonate with a wide audience. I oversee development, financing, production logistics, and distribution strategy, including marketing and film festivals.
Process
This project was driven by a desire to support underrepresented voices while bringing emotionally authentic LGBTQ+ stories to screen. The director of the film, Fin, wrote the screenplay in the summer of 2025. The story was inspired by his experiences navigating modern dating culture and the emotional disconnect often found in app-based interactions. The contrast between openness and concealment within queer experiences became the emotional core of the film.
As a producer, I was drawn to the small, intimate moments from the script that feel personal yet universally relatable. My goal was to ensure a smooth production process and share its message of identity, coming out, and the complexities of dating in this digital day and age.
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The project began with script development led by the writer-director, during which I contributed feedback on character development, narrative flow, and production feasibility.
Pre-production spanned nearly three months and required careful planning due to the constraints of a three-day shoot and a dialogue-heavy script. As the largest production I have worked on, it was both a challenge and an exciting learning opportunity. For example, coordinating many location accesses, which required extensive paperwork along with various moving logistical parts, taught me patience and attention to detail. I coordinated a team of over 20 cast and crew members, managed multiple locations, and developed detailed schedules to ensure efficiency. To improve on-screen chemistry and streamline production, we held five rehearsals with the lead actors to do scene work, on-location blocking, and character development.
Production took place over three intensive days in November, where I focused on time management, coordination across departments, and real-time problem-solving to keep the project on track. Currently in post-production, I have been coordinating with the editor and composer, developing a marketing strategy, and planning festival submissions.
A key highlight of my role was leading the financial planning and successfully applying to the Make It Happen Program at the Barbara J. Burger iZone. I prepared the application and pitch materials and participated in workshops to secure up to $1,500 in funding that would support post-production and distribution efforts. Throughout the process, I have relied on Google Workspace to manage schedules, documentation, and team communication.
After Midnight is currently in the final stages of post-production. Upon finishing, it will be a 15-minute narrative short film intended for a festival run and online distribution.
This experience has improved my skills in production management and teamwork. Most importantly, the project deepened my commitment to producing meaningful stories that reflect diverse and authentic human experiences.