Experiencing Interruptions?

Benny Goes Method

After going to an audition with food poisoning, an unemployed actor realizes the more he destroys his mind and body the closer he'll be to getting the role.

  • Sam Permar
    Director
  • Nina Zehri
    Director
  • Sam Permar
    Writer
  • Juan Gracia
    Producer
  • Sam Permar
    Producer
  • Sarasa Kikuchi
    Director of Photography
  • Sam Permar
    Key Cast
    "Benny"
  • Emily Kokidko
    Key Cast
    "Molly"
  • Polina Geraskina
    Key Cast
    "Paula"
  • Emmaline Berlin
    Key Cast
    "Becky"
  • Quinton Kappel
    Key Cast
    "Jackson"
  • Trinity Hodges
    Key Cast
    "Linda"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Dark Comedy, Drama, Body Horror
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes 13 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 15, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 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:
    Yes - Emerson College
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Another Hole In the Head
    San Francisco
    United States
    December 15, 2024
    World Premiere
    Audience Award: Best Student Film
Director Biography - Sam Permar, Nina Zehri

Nina Zehri is a director, editor, and cinematographer currently based in Boston, MA. Born and raised in Pakistan, she has dedicated her efforts to creating impactful documentaries and narrative films that focus on climate change, women empowerment, and social injustices. One of her recent achievements includes the selection of her short film "In Terram" at the Salem Film Festival. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Film and Media Art at Emerson College.

Sam Permar is an actor, screenwriter, and narrative film director currently based in Boston, MA. He grew up on Martha’s Vineyard and got his BFA in drama at NYU Tisch. His work has screened at NewFest, No Budge, and The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, and he’s produced, edited, and assistant directed numerous independent short films around Boston and New York City. He’s currently earning his MFA in film at Emerson College.

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Director Statement

As filmmakers and artists we’re often told that the best art comes from pain. This has become an ideal for so many actors, and “method acting” is a term that might (for outsiders) be synonymous with serious actors doing outrageous things to get into character. Benny's journey is inspired by Sam's years of living in New York studying acting and trying to book roles in the competitive film and theatre worlds, and the idea for this film came after watching one too many Oscar campaign interviews. We wanted to explore how an actor might process those interviews when they’re at rock bottom. The result is a film that satirizes the mainstream concept of “method acting,” following a desperate dreamer who’s celebrated the more he ruins his own life. We hope the film leaves audiences thinking about what can happen when art does come from pain, and who is affected through the process.