Private Project

Ghost of the Game

LOGLINE: The girlfriend of a deceased athlete is haunted by the ghost of her former partner.

SYNOPSIS: Maya and her friends Dierdre and Joe exit a sports arena. The game was dedicated in honor of Maya’s now-deceased boyfriend Tyler. Maya’s friends offer to walk with her as she quietly mourns Tyler’s death, but she insists on walking alone. Maya wanders alongside a series of empty athletic fields, the bleachers towering above her. She checks her phone, reminiscing on the home screen - an image of her and Tyler happy together. Suddenly, a loud bang echoes through the bleachers next to her. She stops in her tracks, tracing the noise. After a brief pause, she continues walking, ignoring it. Another bang. Maya, now curious, holds out her phone, revealing an image of her and Tyler on her screen. She turns on her flashlight and approaches the bleachers. Maya ascends the steps and faces a void of darkness. She calls out Tyler’s name. There is no response. Maya begins to walk away, now confused and scared. Then - a chorus of banging. Maya breaks into a sprint…

  • James Hartranft
    Director
    Opening Doors, The Red Carpet
  • James Hartranft
    Writer
    Opening Doors, The Red Carpet
  • James Hartranft
    Producer
    Opening Doors, The Red Carpet
  • Andrew Kempski
    Cinematography
    Opening Doors
  • Alicia Brogan
    Key Cast
    "Maya"
    Opening Doors
  • Ciara Kelley
    Key Cast
    "Dierdre"
  • Mahdi Shah
    Key Cast
    "Joe"
  • Henry Ingles
    Key Cast
    "Tyler"
  • Danielle Herbert
    First Assistant Director
  • Ellie Higgins
    Second Assistant Director
  • Melissa Howard
    Camera First Assistant
  • Daniel de Bruyn
    Field Sound Mixer
  • Sarah Petry
    Boom Operator
  • Melissa Howard
    Gaffer
  • Joseph Biello
    Grip
  • Emma Scherzer
    Grip
  • James Hartranft
    Editor
    Opening Doors, The Red Carpet
  • James Hartranft
    Score
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Horror, Suspense, One-Take
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 13, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    0 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 - DeSales University
  • The North Film Festival - New York City
    New York City, New York
    United States
    February 28, 2025
    Nominated
  • Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF)
    Lilburn, Georgia
    United States
    October 14, 2024
    Honorable Mention
  • Student Cuts Film Festival
    Ljutomer
    Slovenia
    May 9, 2024
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - James Hartranft

James Hartranft is a photographer, screenwriter, and script analyst. He majored in Cinematography and Film Production at DeSales University and minored in Digital Art 3D Design and Mathematics. Some of his recent films include "Carved", "Opening Doors", "Ghost of the Game", "Now Streaming", and "The Red Carpet - A Found-Footage Film".

Add Director Biography