Running Late

Running Late is a passion project by second year Massey students studying a Bachelor of Screen Arts, aiming to build their portfolio of work before moving into the major projects of our degree.

We feel really strongly about this project and getting it made to the level we want will be the first big step in what we hope will be long careers. Thank you so much!

About Running Late

Running Late is a psychological thriller and character driven short film (8-10 minutes) that focuses on a Patrick Bateman-esque therapist, Elaine. She's a sharp tongued and intelligent woman who is desperate to make it to an important anniversary date with her husband after staying late at her office yet again. Until she is intercepted by her deranged patient, Aaron. Who refuses to let her leave the office until he's revealed something that's been weighing on his soul that will force Elaine to confront her own fears.

The script for Running Late was written by Nathan Whalley with revisions and rewrites supervised by Massey university tutors. It is in contention with several other entries for Massey's script of the year award. He wrote it with intention to have it shot and edited by the end of 2022, and to tell a story about the social power that institutions like counselling hold over their patients and how it could manifest in a worst case scenario.

Aaron's casting has been locked in for Des Morgan, an active Wellington actor and filmmaker with 43 years experience. We are very excited to have him on the project as his experience and talent will contribute to the quality of the dynamic dialogue that is at the films' core.

Why are we asking for your help?

We've already done a lot to plan this film with costs as low as $0. We've organised two locations free of charge, we've made our own props, sourced professional gear that will film in cinema level quality, and we've organised a small crew of talented people who love the project and will do anything to see it come to life.

However, to get it to the next level and take it further than we initially thought possible, we are asking for $1,300 to pay our cast what they're worth for the time and energy they'll be dedicating to the screen. This film is based heavily on strong dialogue, so we can't just put a fun aunt who owes their nephew a favour in front of the lens.

Your donation will put professional acting on camera and turn this project from a student film to a real contender in the short film category at 2023 film competitions. Remaining funds will be used for additional set decoration, costuming, catering, and for post production, hiring a sound mixer to keep our dialogue crisp.

Boosted has an ALL OR NOTHING system, meaning if we do not reach the our very modest goal, we will not be able to make the projects and your donation will be refunded. So please, you have nothing to lose, chuck a few dollars our way and see a short film come of it a few months down the track. Give us a leg up in an important step in our careers.

Our shooting schedule has us filming this very soon, so expect in the next few weeks plenty posted to our linked instagram page with behind the scenes updates of team meetings, shooting, and a post production review of the process. This Saturday we'll be adding a meet the crew video so the director has a chance to talk about the project a little.

Meet the crew

Nathan Whalley- Writer/director

Dylan 'Fletcher' Howell- Producer/behind the scenes

Seb Boyes- Director of Photography

Finn Davey- Lighting department/grip

Jevon Storm- Production sound mixer

Andrew Morgan- Production assistant/boom operator

Thank your for your support.