Private Project

Be Nice to Fish

Two roommates fight about whether they should let the pizza delivery man use their bathroom, and the ethics of enjoying anchovy pizza in front of their new pet goldfish.

  • Samuel B Russell
    Director
    Hard Waves, Not the Same Clarence, Sam Goes to College
  • Samuel B Russell
    Writer
    Hard Waves, Bad Tidings, We're Goners It's Fine Relax
  • Samuel B Russell
    Producer
  • Brian Russell
    Producer
  • Liza Friedman
    Producer
  • Lisa DeTullio Russell
    Producer
  • Amelia Marino
    Key Cast
    "Amelia"
  • Josh Kay
    Key Cast
    "Josh"
  • Conor Bell
    Key Cast
    "Conrad"
  • Samuel B Russell
    Key Cast
    "Fish & Pizza"
  • Brian Russell
    Cinematography
    Past Prologue, Yo Andrea, The Counterfeiter
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    comedy, stoner comedy, sci fi, science fiction, psychedelic, pop art, collage
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 49 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 12, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Samuel B Russell
Distribution Information
  • Samuel B Russell
    Country: United States
Director Biography - Samuel B Russell

Samuel B. Russell is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up in Connecticut, graduated from film school in 2016, and has worked professionally as a video editor making web entertainment and marketing videos since. Sam writes, directs, and edits narrative short films with the the ultimate goal of sharing the ideas important to him, exploring the medium's potential, and replicating the experience he's gotten from his favorite filmmakers and artists.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

With Be Nice To Fish, my goal was to synthesize ideas from some of my favorite filmmakers and artists into a unique new short film. I borrowed the seamless cinematic sequences of The Wachowskis’ Speed Racer (2008), the simultaneous performances captured in split screen close ups from Ang Lee’s HULK (2003), and Jack Kirby’s multimedia collages used to depict alternate dimensions materially different from our own.

Other inspirations include Adventure Time, Cheech and Chong’s Up in Smoke, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and the puppetry of Basil Twist. My goal was to bring together all these influences to make a movie that gives viewers a unique experience and tells the story about the little deeds we do to convince ourselves we’re good people.