Control Room
Singer/songwriter Eli Fretter’s manager, Gill, has booked him into a state of the art studio space, in an attempt to encourage him to leave his traditional sensibilities and penchant for acoustic music and analog recording techniques behind, instead taking his place in the digital landscape of modern, electronic, music.
The night before his booking, Eli finds himself stranded in the studio with the strange receptionist, who insists that, with nowhere else to go, he spend the night in one of their live-rooms. Things take a surreal and nightmarish turn for Eli as reality appears to bend and distort, transporting him to-and-fro from the studio to a mysterious music venue and eventually to a dungeon, followed by a monstrous cloaked figure. Able to trust neither the eerie receptionist nor his controlling manager Gill, Eli discovers an otherworldly connection between his rapidly mutating body and the studio’s electronic equipment, which builds into a shocking climax that goes out with a flash.
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J.A.G HodgesDirector
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J.A.G HodgesWriter
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Haydn WakelingProducer
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Dylan MatthewsKey Cast"Eli Fretter"
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Nikolina HolukKey Cast"Anya (Receptionist) "
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Anna ShawKey Cast"Gill (Manager)"
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Olga WalusDirector of Photography
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Thaer Al-ShayeiOther Cast
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John AtkinsonOther Cast
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Loren GoesArt Directors
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Ciera ChapmanArt Directors
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Madison GarlandHair and Make-up Designer
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Scarlet MillwardHair and Make-up Team
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Ciara MacMahonHair and Make-up Team
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Casey WatkinsHair and Make-up Team
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Marysia MaciejkoCostume Designer
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MelltMusic
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Daniel LewisSound Recordists
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Gabriel Strange-WoodSound Recordists
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Olga WalusCamera Operators
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Dewi AllenCamera Operators
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Oliver MitchellCamera Operators
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James ClarkCamera Operators
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Osian Clement-EvansCamera Assistants
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Harry EllisCamera Assistants
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Daniel LewisSound Design
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Jo HaynesSound Design
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Sion Teifi ReesColourist
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Eve MeareVFX
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Richie EvansGraphic Designer
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Haydn WakelingEditor
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:19 minutes 55 seconds
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Completion Date:January 31, 2024
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Production Budget:1,500 GBP
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Country of Origin:United Kingdom
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Country of Filming:United Kingdom
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:H264, MPEG-4, 3840x2160 (4K)
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Black & White
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Focus Wales Film FestivalWrexham
United Kingdom
May 10, 2024
Best Welsh Film, Narrative Film -
Phantasmagoria Horror Film FestivalWrexham
United Kingdom
October 12, 2024
Finalists -
RS FilmFestBristol
United Kingdom
November 30, 2024
Finalists -
Cynon Valley Film FestivalAberdare
United Kingdom
October 26, 2024
Best Narrative Short -
International Media Festival Of WalesSwansea
United Kingdom
November 14, 2024
Finalists -
Wales International Film FestivalSwansea
United Kingdom
December 19, 2024
Best No Budget Short Film -
Carmarthen Bay Film FestivalCarmarthen
United Kingdom
May 22, 2025
Finalists -
Chapter MovieMakerCardiff
United Kingdom
January 5, 2025
BAFTA Qualifying Screening (Non-Competitive) -
Film Fest InternationalCardiff
United Kingdom
July 10, 2025
Best Short Film -
UK Film AwardsLondon
United Kingdom
December 21, 2025
Finalists
Jacob Hodges, the writer/director of Control Room, was born in Corning, NY, and raised in Wales from age nine. Deeply immersed in Welsh culture, he attended Welsh-language schools and is a member of the band Mellt.
His work blends film, music, and a strong sense of place - having directed music videos for artists such as Papur Wal, Ffug, and Mali Hâf. Likewise working across documentaries and having a BA in Film.
At Black Swan, Jacob brings creative leadership to our podcasts, branded content, and now our narrative slate. A fan of filmmakers like Ari Aster and David Lynch, he is passionate about genre storytelling that gives Wales a distinctive voice on the UK film landscape.