"Crunch Time" by Tom Morrison
"Crunch Time"
Director: Tom Morrison
Crunch Time follows Dennis (though nobody seems to get his name right), a lowly cubicle employee whose life spirals out of control after finding himself at the center of a bizarre ad campaign.
With cameras constantly over his shoulder, Dennis is forced to confront the realities of his purpose in life, realities which push him over the edge.
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Crunch Time is a satirical thriller about corporate futility, paranoia, and the lengths one would go to feel like they have purpose. I wanted to create a piece that inspired a mix of emotions in viewers as they watched, and I found that the best way to achieve this was telling a story that contained both unsettling moments of horror AND of comedy through the sheet ridiculousness of the situation. To reflect this, I was able to experiment with my shot composition, my use of space and my occasional use of a “found footage” editing style.
Production was a great challenge of both creativity and endurance, having 3 longs days of shooting back to back. Pre-production, however, was by far the biggest beast to overcome. I wasn’t able to be completely casted until the week before my shoot, which meant having to cram in some virtual rehearsal sessions, and due to conflicts in time with my casts, I didn’t have my schedule until the night before our first day. Thankfully, and in a great part due to the flexibility and support of my crew, the filming itself went through without a hitch, and we were able to create what I believe to be my best work yet.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Tom Morrison is currently a Junior studying Film and Television Production at Drexel University. Having been interesting in an artistic career from a young age, Tom has made a point of taking on a variety of roles on multiple short films since coming to Philadelphia, not only to ensure that he is useful on set in more ways than one, but also to explore the ways he can creatively express himself i filmmaking. He is always excited for any opportunity to grow and learn that comes his way, and to be able to meet and work with new people.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"Shoe Thief" by Caleb Argueta
"Shoe Thief"
Director: Caleb Argueta
Jonathan, an aimless mooch, is robbed of one of his shoes when on his way to play tennis with his friend, Ari.
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Jonathan, an aimless mooch, is robbed of one of his shoes when on his way to play tennis with his friend, Ari.The two friends discuss the politics of this throughout the day, and are interrupted when they witness a shoe robbery. Jonathan gives chase, and is abducted by Chauncey, the leader of a petty crime network. Chauncey propositions Jonathan to join his network of thieves.
Budgetary limitations meant I only had a handful of actors to choose from, but I took this and turned to college theater players for their ability to memorize a lot of lines with a more casual approach. A limited budget helped me realize this should be my approach to the film, anyway.
On set crafty was meager, but my team pulled through. My parents’ car broke down and I wanted to use it to transport gear. Plan for the unexpected. I truly relied on that car not breaking down. If mine had, I would have been pretty much screwed.
It rained when we had to get the Steadicam shot, so we had to work around this and dodge the scattered showers. We succeeded, and got the shot, albeit hastily, and with some smudge on the filters in the matte box.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Caleb Argueta is a third year Film &Television Major at Drexel University by day, and a screenwriter, movie watcher, and extremely independent filmmaker by night. He is constantly tinkering away at his screenwriting craft, and incessantly chatting people’s ears off about the productions of his favorite films. He is excited to cultivate his filmmaking career through internship at JTWO FILMS, and pursue any opportunity to further his artistic intent through projects consistent with his voice.
"YLITH" by Miranda Avila
"YLITH"
Director: Miranda Avila
Two best friends, bonded by a similar past but wildly different ways of dealing with adulthood, stumble through jobs, rent, BreakUps, and breakdowns — trying to grow up without growing apart.
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Creating this short comedy pilot was a wild and rewarding ride. From director to actor, and editor, I wore many hats throughout the process. Alongside my creative partner Erik, who also stars in the project, We built something we can truly be proud of. It was equal parts fun and chaotic, but every challenge was worth it. Being hands-on with every aspect of production gave me a deeper appreciation for the craft and a stronger bond with the story we wanted to tell. This pilot is a reflection of our humor, our hustle, and our passion for making people laugh.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Miranda Avila is a student at Drexel University majoring in Film andTelevision. She is three years into the program and has gained a great deal of experience. Miranda has created a few short films and scripts.She has also worked on several independent films and thesis films. Her passion is TV comedy and drama and wishes to explore these dramas further.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"A Squire's Duty" by Alex Vineburg
"A Squire's Duty"
Director: Alex Vineburg
On their journey home from a siege gone poorly, an exhausted knight and his naïve squire encounter a traveling puppet show. Unbeknownst to them, this seemingly innocent facade holds a dark secret.
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I really wanted to make something involving puppets in some way shape or form. When the opportunity came up to make whatever I wanted, I knew I had to jump on the chance to make something that plays to my strengths. I thought that by making it a period piece, I could challenge myself to make something I never have before. The whole experience was a ton of fun and I’m glad I could make something that looks cool!
Overall, the project went smoothly, with us wrapping on our second day hours ahead of schedule. However, there were some large hurdles we had to overcome to get to that point.The location was absolutely one of them, as the distance from campus wasn’t an issue, but it being right next to a main road meant the audio consistently would have loud trucks run through mid take. On top of that, there is an elementary school across the street, so kids screaming was something else to look out for. We also shot outside in the sun for most of the second part of the shoot, so having to stop to go inside and take breaks was necessary but slowed things down.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Based in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Alexis a filmmaker and student with a passion for cinematography and post production.He is a Junior at Drexel University studying Film & TV and has 5 years of freelance editing experience under his belt.He is excited to learn and grow from other fellow filmmakers!
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"OCBP" By Ryan Console
"OCBP"
Director: Ryan Console
A camera crew follows around two problematic lifeguards as they fake their way through their jobs on the beach patrol.
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OCBP started as an idea I had about 3 years ago. I would spend all my summers down the shore goofing around with my friends and family on the beach. I wanted to mix my love for comedy and Mockumentary TV with this place that means so much to me. I wrote a bunch of episodes and even filmed some short scenes with my buddy Matt (who plays Clay in the show).
Fast forward to my internship at JTWO, where I finally got the chance to turn this idea into something real. It wasn’t just a concept anymore – it became an actual project. Making OCBP has been hands down the most fun I’ve ever had while filming, and it brought together everything I love about comedy and the beach.
Shooting on a beach comes with many challenges, the first of which is that you’re very much in the public eye. The beach has crowds of people wondering what you’re filming or wanting to be in your shot, and it becomes difficult to deal with when time is of the essence. To mitigate this, we shot all our exterior beach scenes very early in the morning. We began filming around 6am every day and wrapped by noon. This way, we avoided most crowds and made filming smoother. Getting up at 5:45 ready to hit the beach wasn’t easy, but it paid off when our shoot went smoothly.
The second challenge was sound. Getting good quality audio on a beach is very difficult, not only because of the crowds but also the roaring ocean. I combated this with a dual mic setup: boom with windscreen and dead cat, plus a lav as backup. Shooting early eliminated most crowd noises, but as the beach filled up, we had more people approaching us. This affected our sound quality as ambient chatter increased, but in the end, we got everything we needed.
Cast:
Clay – Matthew Carey
Trent – Ryan Dixon
Chet- Rick Console
Jenna – Jenna Little
Random Beachgoer – Kayla Thompson
Crew
Writer/Director/Editor – Ryan Console
Camera Operators – Evan Moreau, Kayla Thompson
Assistant Director – Tessa Martinko
Sound Mixer – Peter Burghen
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Ryan is a filmmaker based in Philadelphia, PA with over 6 years of experience with directing, shooting, and editing films and videos. Through the years he has filmed a series of short films, interviews, and promotional videos for companies. With his background in filmmaking and specialization in comedy, he loves making content that people enjoy watching.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"Little Places" by Tessa Martinko
"Little Places"
Director: Tessa Martinko
Immersed in a surreal journey, a woman navigates through three distinct spaces, each decorated in a different color palette.
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When I began brainstorming for this project I was very inspired by the surrealist art and production design I had seen in the media. In my production design experience, I have not gotten to deviate outside of decorating sets to look like real-life events. I wanted to push my limits and try out something abstract and creative instead of more lifelike. Always finding inspiration in the world around me, I decided to pick three colors and form a tiny world based on how the colors make me feel.
This project was something I had never done before and at first I was very hesitant to take on this challenge. I have always loved working with paints, clay, and other art materials but the idea of making mini models was something I had never done before! During this film, I faced many challenges, from finding the right materials to compositing myself into the project itself. When it came to the models, my biggest challenge was scaling down my ideas from life-size to mini.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Tessa Martinko is an aspiring Set Decorator and also dabbles in cinematography. Tessa has worked on both the East Coast and West Coast, gaining experience on commercials and shorts. After completing this film, Tessa hopes to continue pursuing crafty and creative projects while growing her skills as a filmmaker.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"Garden of Resilience" by Kayla Thompson
"Garden of Resilience"
Director: Kayla Thompson
Garden of Resilience is an experimental series that parallels the life cycle of a flower with the stages of healing experienced by a series of girls. Each chapter of the film reveals a different phase of their individual journeys toward healing and self- discovery.
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Chapter 1: Waiting
Chapter 2: Falling
Chapter 3: Rooting
Chapter 4: Rising
Chapter 5: Blooming
With this project I wanted to express true female emotion through experimental imagery and editing. Throughout my history in videography and photography, I have always felt that you can say more with fewer words. I have always preferred experimental filmmaking because I express myself the best visually. This is a topic that is very close to me and I chose to use a series of girls to highlight that this is not only my experience, but the experience of all females all around the world who sometimes need to lose themselves to find themselves again. I made this project for them, for my friends who have struggled alongside me, and for myself, who discovered a lot through the process of filming this project.
I think the biggest challenge in making this project was time. I decided to do five shorts and while shooting five shorts wasn’t super stressful, editing five of them in less than 2 weeks was (extremely). I also decided to have each of the shorts personally composed by friends and family in music, which meant I had to finish my rough cuts at least a week and a half before the due date and I had finished shooting a few days before that timeframe. In hindsight, I could’ve chosen to do something shorter, or focus on three shorts instead of five but I think each chapter plays a crucial part of the story – and I would do the same again.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Kayla Thompson is a Junior Film and Television Major at Drexel University. She has been taking classes and pursuing film since the 5th grade. She is an inspiring cinematographer who has been working on short films in the Philadelphia area to further her skill set. She is excited to continue working on all sorts of projects to help her learn and gain more experience to become a better film major, and will be graduating in spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television Production in hopes of continuing her filmmaking journey.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"POLO PRODIGY" BY SARA LATTA
"POLO PRODIGY"
Director: Sara Latta
Chamoinix EQ’s “Work to Ride” program is transforming Philly youth into elite polo players while teaching the skill of horsemanship. The program provides a safe haven for kids who would otherwise have no positive alternatives for after school. The stuents learn to work as a team to maintain the stables while building their self esteem, learning the meaning of teamwork and mastering a new sport. Mosiah (Mo) Gravesande has been apart of the program for 10 years and is now a graduating senior. He reflects on Polo and Work to Ride as a whole and how it has changed his life.
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Philadelphia is known for the Eagles, Sixers, Flyers and Phillies – all prime time sports in this city. What if I told you that right in Fairmount Park, in the heart of West Philadelphia, there are kids learning how to play polo?
Chamounix Equestrian Center started their “Work to Ride” Program in 1994 as a community- based prevention program to assist urban youth in developing new skills and open their eyes to nature. The program’s vision is to create a safe haven for youth that are in inflicted by poverty and help them to develop confidence, self-esteem and develop skills for chosen activities.
The horseback riding would in the media, is dominated as a place for rich affluent white people in which you rarely see African American or other Persons of Color (POC) in these spaces. However, in the Work to Ride Program, POC are made to feel welcome, and in a place where they belong.
I started riding horses when I was 6 years old. I remember instantly connecting with them and asking my mom for a pony and telling her we could just keep it in our small backyards in the Bronx. Since I am a “city kid”, I didn’t have much of an opportunity to ride all year long. However, I was privileged enough to be able to go to camp ever summer and live out my farm girl fantasies. When I found out about “Work to Ride” I was instantly interested in the program and the kids stories.
Every film has their set backs or bumps in the road. Mine was that it was my first time directing and having a very small but mighty crew in order to bring my vision to light. Being a photographer, I’m used to being solo. It was a challenge having to explain my vision and trusting that it didn’t get lost in translations. That on top of it being my very first time editing/coloring a project this big. I am proud of the end results.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Sara Latta is an up and coming Digital Media Creator based in Philadelphia, PA. She studied photography at Drexel University and recently decided to bring her visual style to film. With help from JTWO Films and her [INC]ubator project, she was able to bring her first film project to life.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"IN MOTION" By Isabella Medina
"IN MOTION"
Director: Isabella Medina
Julia is an extraordinary person, full of ambition, determination, and kindness. She is currently a D1 rower at the University of Delaware, a sport she had never experienced before trying out for the team as a freshman. In her sophomore year, she was awarded a full-ride scholarship due to her outstanding performance.
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Being a D1, D2, or D3 rower comes with a lot of mental toughness. Rowing is a sport that utilizes every major body part, your arms, legs, and abdomen. A rower pushes with their legs and pulls with their arms. Rowing requires extreme endurance, strength, and pain tolerance.
My best friend, Julia, is a D1 novice rower and hasprovided me with a variety of knowledge about the world of competitive rowing. This information has allowed me to approach my film project with a unique perspective. As someone with a passion for sports and documentaries, I am excited to explore the world of rowing through the lens of documentary filmmaking. I believe that by showcasing the struggles, sacrifices, and accomplishments of athletes, I can inspire my audiences and create a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world of competitive sports.
I am dedicated to telling meaningful and impactful stories that resonate with audiences, and I believe that this project will allow me to do just that.
Julia’s endurance, strength, and pain tolerance are exceptional, making her an impressive athlete. Julia’s story is poof to the fact that with determination and hard work, anyone can accomplish anything they set their mind to. I would like to honor Julia’s journey and showcase her extraordinary athletic abilities while inspiring the audience to never give up on their dreams.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Isabella Medina is a dedicated Film and Media Arts student at Temple University, located in the Philadelphia, PA. After years of hard work and dedication, Isabella is finally set to graduate this May. Throughout her time at Temple University, Isabella has gained a variety of knowledge and practical experience in the film and media arts industry.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.
"LAID OFF" by Nikai Morales
"LAID OFF"
Director: Nikai Morales
When a disgruntled employee is laid off via a mysterious letter that states their company is switching to AI labor, they decide to go fight their former boss for the job back.
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Erin Walshe lives in unprecedented times. AI labor related layoffs have tanked the economy. Companies have let go thousands of employees using mailed red envelopes.
Then Erin loses their job, just after moving into a new apartment. They decide not to go down without fight. Erin goes into their hastily vacated office. It’s empty aside from the nepo baby who got to keep his job.
But, when Erin’s boss hears their plea. He tells them that there is one open position Erin could be perfect for. Erin is then given a position as a janitor to clean up the mess left behind from all the former employees.
The poster depicts Erin in their former office as red envelopes fall from the ceiling. I opted away from highlighting AI in the title as to not hint too much at the plot of the movie.
The dark red filter over the image references the color of the envelope and symbolizes anger and desire over the lost job. The envelope covering Erin’s eyes also inferences being blinded by anger and acting before thinking.
While searching for an adequate setting, the perfect office location seemed to allude us until reaching out to a non-profit organization that the director was affiliated with. They allowed us to film in their offices.
While on set, the motion sensors around the office would keep beeping anytime we moved in the lobby of the office which would be difficult for capturing sound. With a bit of gaff tape, we covered the motion sensors and stopped the beeping without accessing the system.
During our office shoot day, we sent Ben (Zach) to get lunch as he was done shooting for the day and we needed an extra hand. Ben forgot the director’s meal and drinks at McDonald’s. Instead of using the car to go get the food, he ran to McDonald’s to pick it up.
MEET THE DIRECTOR
Nikai Morales is a 23 year old director and artist based on the east coast. They’ve always had interests in varying media and the way it affects everyday communication. Through their master’s Nikai had the opportunity to pursue research in social media virality. Attempting to learn how it affects the perceptions of people who have gone viral and people who have seen viral content. Nikai has produced 4 short films, and is currently working on an independent feature. They aspire to create narrative stories about interpersonal relationships and how they’re affected by the digital age of communication.
This project was created as part of the JTWO [INC]ubator Project. A semester long internship program built from the ground up to give young filmmakers, content creators, and all around hungry for a challenge individuals a place to stretch their creative minds while preparing them for the road ahead.