Baker's Outing

A High-School Baseball Star's reputation is ruined when his darkest secret is spilled.

  • Alex Koebke
    Director
  • Alex Koebke
    Writer
  • Emily Willson-Quayle
    Producer
  • Michael Clendenin
    Key Cast
    "Dave"
  • Tyler Fanyo-Tabak
    Key Cast
    "Clark"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, LGBTQ
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital (BRAW)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah College of Art and Design
Director Biography - Alex Koebke

Alex Koebke is a writer/director from Northern Virginia. Since he was a young boy, Alex was passionate about telling stories on screen. He even used to carry around VHS tapes instead of stuffed animals. Once enrolled at SCAD, Alex’s productions slowly grew from homegrown movies starring his sisters to the $15k budget of his senior thesis film, “It’s a Privilege”. To date, Alex has written, directed, and edited over half a dozen short films. His official debut short film, Alien, premiered in beloved local arthouse theater, Cinema Arts, before a screening of Tenet (dir. Christopher Nolan). Alex now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, working as a Location Scout on feature films. He aspires to direct his first feature in 2024.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Q: What inspired you to write this short film?

A: Something very similar to this happened to me in high school - a rumor was spread about me which effectively outed me, leading to an uncomfortable confrontation with my dad. Though my parents are not anything like Dave and Karie in “Baker’s Outing”, their reaction led to a lasting impression that could exist for as long as I know them. Making this movie was my way of dramatizing the experience of being outed as a straight-coded, jocky kind of high-schooler.

Q: Do you think Clark and David reconnect in the future?

A: I think so, but I think it will take a lot of work to mend their relationship. For awhile, Clark believes he isn’t good enough for his dad, and that hurts him in a way that could last forever. He’ll have to find it in him to forgive his father. And Dave has a lot to learn. He has a long way to go before he can truly accept who Clark is. At least, at the end of the movie, he realizes that his son is more important to him than his prejudice.

Q: What was Ellie’s intention when she outed Clark to her parents?

A: Ellie feels overshadowed by Clark, the eldest son, the trophy child. Especially during this important time in his life when he’s graduating and going to college, she feels that she has to compete for her parents attention, and she’s losing. So screw him. Spill his secret.

I don’t think Ellie wanted to ruin Clark’s relationship with their parents, I think she just didn’t know the effect this particular secret would have. She’s too young to have seen this side of her parents, and didn’t see it coming. Clark knows, and forgives her, and I’d hope she plays a role in roping everybody back together.