Experiencing Interruptions?

Big Hero

An overworked mother tries her best to take care of her 9 year old son while also finding time for herself and things get more complicated once her son's father won't show up.

  • José Irizarry
    Director
  • José Irizarry
    Writer
  • Aaron Sims
    Producer
  • Jaimi Romano
    Key Cast
    "Suzanne"
  • Maddox Simmons
    Key Cast
    "Henry"
  • Ashley Davenport
    Key Cast
    "Amy"
  • Renee Labansat
    Key Cast
    "Neighbor"
  • José Irizarry
    Executive Producer
  • Phuc Tran
    Director of Photography
  • Renee Labansat
    Production Designer
  • Zach Youmans
    Editor
  • Daniel Taborda Higuita
    Music Composer
  • Shannon Sons
    Assistant Director
  • Ian Grau
    Crew
  • Karla Sainz
    Crew
  • Hannah Lara
    Crew
  • Jeffrey Hack
    Crew
  • Kevin Hornsby
    Crew
  • Connor Child
    Crew
  • Josh Ohea
    Crew
  • Erin Celine
    Crew
  • Matthew Ahearne
    Crew
  • Connor Newton
    Crew
  • Ethan Cantor
    Colorist
  • Jacob Halter
    Still Photography
  • Gavin Sondrup
    Sound Department
  • Katherine Poloncak
    Sound Department
  • Cambelle Gregory
    Sound Department
  • Fernando Hernandez-Borboa
    Sound Department
  • Noubar Manoogian
    Sound Department
  • Josh Leal
    Sound Department
  • Project Type:
    Student
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 42 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 11, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Blackmagic Raw 5, film (log)
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Arizona State University
Director Biography - José Irizarry

José Irizarry is a filmmaker based in Phoenix, AZ. He was born in the state of Michigan and raised in Puerto Rico until the age of 10. José graduated in Dec 2021 with a BA in Film (Film & Media Production) from The Sidney Poitier New American Film School at Arizona State University. The ASU film program gave José the starting knowledge and hands-on experience in the art of filmmaking. His senior capstone film, Big Hero, has been accepted by 9 film festivals, won the Best Student Film awards with the Florence Film Awards, the Silver Award for a Student Film with Hollywood Gold Awards, an Honorable Mention for a Student Film with the New York Movie Awards, and is currently pending other film festivals decisions that are running in 2022. In addition to Big Hero, José has directed four short student films during his time at ASU. In addition to student films, José has worked with local filmmaker Beau Yotty as a production assistant, grip, and actor, and volunteered at the 2019 Phoenix Film Festival as a Filmmaker Liaison. In addition to directing, José looks for ways to grow in his skills as a screenwriter. As a Latino filmmaker, José is eager to be part of the changes happening in the film industry in terms of diversity, representation, and inclusivity. These changes in the film industry’s landscape are a game-changer and an opportunity for José, as a Latino filmmaker, to leave his mark in the film industry.

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Director Statement

I remember when I was about 12 years old, hearing my dad’s voice for the first time over the phone, how I yearned to be with him. My mom and my dad divorced when I was three-year-old, leaving my mom with three little boys. Later my mom remarried, and my brothers and I were raised by out stepdad. Having a stepdad never erased the desire to be with my real dad. I met my real dad at the age of 19 years old and since then, I have developed a solid relationship with my dad over the years. I wrote and directed this film, Big Hero, to showcase a son’s desire to be with his dad, drawing from my own life experience. All my life, I saw my mom working hard to support my brothers and me. My mom was my inspiration for writing Big Hero with a loving but overworked mother. I grew up loving superheroes, especially Superman. I incorporated my love for superheroes in my film Big Hero. The name Big Hero as two meanings in this film. One, that the character of Suzanne, the protagonist, has her hero in her son Henry. Two, that Henry looked to his dad as his Big Hero, like many sons do. The character of Henry dresses up in superheroes costumes because it was his link to his dad. That is something I shared with my own dad, the love of superheroes. My hope is for the audience to see themselves in the characters of Suzanne and Henry and realize that all thought life is not perfect, we already have what we need to make our lives better.