Private Project

Gratuity Not Included

LOGLINE: A new valet’s risky decision endangers his and his partner's jobs.

SYNOPSIS: Intended to capture the sounds and character of downtown Colorado Springs, Gratuity Not Included is a story about partnerships at work. When a veteran valet named Jude is assigned a cocky new coworker, his new partner quickly begins to steal from guests. As the newcomer, Vince is emboldened by continued success, Jude starts to fear for the safety of his position.

Throughout the film, each of the incompatible duo attempts to lure the other onto their side of the debate. Their interactions examine the contrast between loyalty and freedom and their disagreement ultimately brings disaster as fear festers inside both characters.

  • Odin Bercu
    Director
  • Campbell Beattie
    Director
  • Odin Bercu
    Writer
  • Campbell Beattie
    Writer
  • Odin Bercu
    Producer
  • Campbell Beattie
    Producer
  • Slade Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Jude"
  • Cole Chapleski
    Key Cast
    "Vince"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 12, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    900 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:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Colorado College
  • Santa Fe International Film Festival
    Santa Fe, New Mexico
    United States
    October 17, 2024
    New Mexico Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Annapolis Film Festival
    Annapolis, Maryland
    United States
    March 28, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Bloomington Indiana International Film Festival
    Bloomington, Indiana
    United States
    April 4, 2025
    Official Selection
  • Centre Film Festival
    State College, Pennslyvania
    United States
    November 11, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Urban Mediamakers Film Festival
    Atanta, Georgia
    United States
    October 14, 2024
    Award Nominee
  • PressPlay Cinema Film Festival
    Lansing, Michigan
    United States
    October 17, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Zepstone Arts Festival
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    United States
    September 9, 2024
    Award Nominee
  • Colorado College Thesis Screening
    Colorado Springs, Colorado
    United States
    March 12, 2024
    Premiere
    J. H. Edmondson Film Outreach Award
  • The Atlantis Awards
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    February 22, 2025
    Best Student Film & Student Director
Director Biography - Odin Bercu, Campbell Beattie

Odin Bercu began studying film approximately a year before the release of this short. He's passionate about documenting backcountry explorations and uses the space of fiction filmmaking to engage with his curiosity in a different way.

Growing up in Los Angeles, Campbell Beattie grew an affinity with the film surrounding him. Campbell wanted new experiences outside of his home and came to beautiful Colorado Springs to explore different fields at college. However, each course pushed him back to film and media studies. Campbell likes telling stories about imaginative worlds and gripping character journeys.

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Director Statement

Gratuity Not Included is a tribute to Colorado Springs. The story is inspired by a night out with some valets from the Broadmoor Hotel. The train, dogs, cars, and ambulances in the film are daily markers of the Springs. It was enjoyable to experience them for three years and share them in the context of this film.
- Odin

I was excited to tell a story about working-class individuals who get pushed to dangerous extremes by the hierarchal structures around them. We found these interesting places to take the characters and how their histories would inform a debate about life choices and collectivism. Gratuity Not Included is a culmination of themes from interdisciplinary studies across Colorado College, critiquing the constraints of capitalism and the service industry. These institutions form the characters, as each learns from the other, changing the trajectory of their lives. I’m grateful to everyone who views our film!
- Campbell