Private Project

The Last Summer

A tightly knit group of friends hangs out for the last time before heading off to different colleges.

  • Alex Zajicek
    Director
    The Director, HD, Jess & Nate
  • Alex Zajicek
    Writer
    The Director, HD, Jess & Nate
  • Alex Zajicek
    Producer
    The Director, HD, Jess & Nate
  • Hubert "Hao-Yu" Wang
    Producer
    Believe, Truth or Dare, Secrets
  • Danielle Bacanskas
    Key Cast
    Jess & Nate, The InBetween
  • Wendy Moreno
    Key Cast
    DFACT, Watercolors
  • Vince-Anthony Ramirez
    Key Cast
    El Camino, The Day I Grew Up, Sleep Paralysis, Miss Finkagle Succumbs to Chaos, Chasing Rodriguez
  • Eric Romero
    Key Cast
    Cardinal X
  • Remi Lee
    Key Cast
    The Theologist
  • Nick Coelius
    Key Cast
    Minutes After Midnight
  • Lauren Younglove
    Sound
    The Director, HD
  • Will Giovacchini
    Sound
    This Is What Happened, Truth or Dare, Twin Lens, Black is Blue
  • Ren Coker
    Sound
  • Andrew Shoji
    Sound
    Necrosis
  • Heidi McVittie
    Sound
  • Jiayu "Kay" He
    Sound
    Please, eat the daisies
  • Curtis Hulen
    Sound
    Jess & Nate
  • Tanya Poovaiah
    Sound
  • Ji Hong Ahn
    Additional Camera
    The Girl in the Moon, Jess & Nate
  • Dierdre Cook
    Additional Camera
    Jess & Nate
  • Ren Coker
    Additional Camera
  • Hubert "Hao-Yu" Wang
    Director of Photography
    Believe, Truth or Dare, Secrets
  • Alex Zajicek
    Director of Photography
    The Director, HD, Jess & Nate
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama, Dramedy, Coming of Age, Student, Youth/Teen
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 16 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 9, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    2,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital UHD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Alex Zajicek

Alex Zajicek, born and raised in the Bay Area, has always been interested in telling stories. Ever since he got his first video camera, he was making short films, and when he got his first computer, he quickly taught himself to animate. He is (2014) currently attending California College of the Arts where he is majoring in Film (and minoring in Writing).

His short films include "This Is What Happened" (co-directed along with Hubert "Hao-Yu" Wang), "The Director", "HD", and "Jess & Nate."

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Director Statement

"The Last Summer" is a short 15-minute film made as my senior thesis in the film program at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. Made entirely with a young, diverse cast and crew of Bay Area residents, the production features many fresh faces new to the Bay Area independent film-making scene.

The film sits somewhere between drama and comedy, and pokes a bit of fun at modern culture and even the genre itself. Not quite real, but still very much tied to reality nonetheless, "The Last Summer" is something of a love letter to friendships and youth.

The film blends a drama and comedy with a stylized slice-of-life that examines themes of friendship while satirizing culture. With five main characters, the film works as an ensemble piece, and strives to make sure every character is given personality and agency regardless of race or gender.

Reflecting the film's minimalist style, most of the film takes place in a single motel room over the course of one evening as the group tackles their awkward friendship status, leaving blocking, light, color, and sound as building blocks to engage the audience.