The Red Room

LOGLINE

After a particularly bad day, timid office worker Stanley decides to attend a slap clinic; a pseudo-health centre that allows customers to blow off steam by slapping counsellors - but when the session doesn’t go as planned, Stanley realises he should have read the fine print.

ABOUT OUR FILM

The Red Room is a satirical comedy short from writer/director Alex Liu that takes an absurd look at how the modern world ticks.

Taking aim at over-the-top bureaucracy, identity-stripping corporations and awful 300-page terms and conditions agreements, The Red Room is a darkly comedic view of the world we live in and how, at times, it can drive us to the brink.

OUR TARGET

We're asking for $15,000, which will help us cover costs for the following:

• Actors
• Crew
• Equipment
• Locations
• Set and props

$5,000 of self-funding is set aside for further costs of production. The above money will allow us to pay the cast and crew, secure the unique locations that will enable us to present a slightly-elevated version of the real world, and get the film finished through a world-class colour grade and sound mix!

As with every Boosted campaign, we don't get any money if we don't hit our goal, so every bit counts! If you can’t donate, even just sharing this campaign across your socials will help!

If you live in Aotearoa, you can claim back 33% of your donation in your annual tax return.

Thank you for taking the time to check out our little project!

MEET THE TEAM

Alex Liu | Writer/Director/Editor

Alex is a Tongan Kiwi filmmaker and podcast producer based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. His debut short "SMOG" won Best Film, Māori and Pasifika, at the 2022 New Zealand International Film Festival, and in 2021 Alex co-wrote, produced, edited and mixed the award-winning podcast "Once a Panther", a six-part documentary series about the Polynesian Panther Party. The podcast won bronze at the NZ Podcast Awards and was a finalist in the Best Podcast - Narrative section at the NZ Media Awards.

Currently, Alex is writing a feature film for US studio MGM after being selected to receive a two-step Guild minimum open script deal as part of their partnership with The Black List.

Alongside that, his debut feature "God Bless You, Mr Kopu" is in active development with production company Firefly Films (MISTER ORGAN, NUDE TUESDAY) and executive producer Ant Timpson (COME TO DADDY, CENSOR, TURBO KID).

Jacob Vale | Producer

Jacob is a Producer and Podcast Producer based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Jacob has worked in the New Zealand television industry for the best part of a decade. His experience includes working for Whitebait TV, Mediaworks, Karen Kay Management and the in-house media team at Xero. Jacob has produced, directed and written several short films for the annual 48 hours film competition, all of which have reached the National Grand Final, with a best finish of second place in 2021 with “A Matter of Time”.

Currently, Jacob works as a Podcast Producer for the newly formed Frank Studios.

Caleb Corlett | Director of Photography

Caleb is a cinematographer and filmmaker hailing from Aotearoa. His work encompasses a wide spectrum, ranging from music videos to commercials to short films. He’s collaborated with artists such as Benee, Bret Mckenzie and Melodownz, and had short films play in festivals around the world, “The Girl the Lamb and the Man” (SWIFF) and “Cetology” (NZIFF).

He gained industry experience crewing on large-scale blockbusters, such as the Avatar sequels, the Lord of the Rings series and numerous independent New Zealand feature films.

Caleb has developed a strong visual language with Alex Liu after first collaborating with Liu on the short film, “I’m a Man!” in 2019.