Private Project

Groomed

Maria's story is a familiar one—with a violent and heartbreaking twist. Frustrated with her mother's seemingly overbearing concern, teenage Maria runs to the arms of an older man who pays her attention and promises her love, if she will do just one thing. Maria realizes too late that what she thought was love was a ploy for control until a chance encounter changes everything.

  • Angelo Reyes
    Director
  • Angelo Reyes
    Writer
  • Angelo Reyes
    Producer
  • Tanya Street
    Producer
  • Danielle Lyn
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
  • Ana Roshelle Diaz
    Key Cast
    "Bottom"
  • Amor Owens
    Key Cast
    "Mom"
  • Tierney Breedlove
    Key Cast
    "Officer Murphy"
  • Barry John Price
    Key Cast
    "Business man"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Crime
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 35 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 20, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    blackmajic ursa 4.6k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Beverly Hills International Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 4, 2019
    Best Editor
  • LA Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Winner Platinum Award / Best Short Film
  • Global Accolade Awards

    Winner Award of Merit for Best Asian Director
Director Biography - Angelo Reyes

Angelo Reyes, a dynamic Filipino-Italian American, has evolved from a creative designer in advertising to a multifaceted actor, producer, and director, renowned for his compelling narratives and diversified roles. Originally sparking his career in advertising, he quickly transitioned to television, co-producing and anchoring the motorsports show, Street Vision Garage.

His artistic journey took him from New York, where he honed his acting skills at Stella Adler and at the LS Acting Studio under Lynette Sheldon. Here, he embraced roles in significant projects like Netflix's "Hillbilly Elegy," "Killing Kennedy," and made notable appearances on STARZ’s "Black Mafia Family" and "Gotham Knights."

Angelo's directorial ventures reflect his commitment to addressing critical societal issues. His award-winning short film, “Groomed,” which delves into the dark world of human trafficking, won the Rising Star Award at the Westfield International Film Festival. Another notable project, “21st & Colonial,” not only garnered a REMI Award at the 54th Worldfest International Film Festival but also highlighted Angelo as a finalist in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Snow Leopard Scholarship Award at the Asian World Film Festival, where he was also nominated for Best Actor.

Beyond his creative pursuits, Angelo founded Reyes Productions Studio with a mission to produce stories that evoke emotion and awareness, often drawing from real-life inspirations and interweaving rich Filipino cultural narratives. His leadership extends into the community, where he founded the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of VA and serves as the chair of Intergenerational Development for the Filipino American Community Action Group (FIL-AM CAG). Nationally, he influences as the National Civic Forum Leadership Director for NaFFAA and the East Coast Director for FILAM Creative, advocating for Filipino representation in media.

A holder of tri-citizenship in the US, Italy, and the Philippines, Angelo's deep connection to his heritage is evident in his work and community involvement. Now residing in Virginia, he is fervently dedicated to transforming the state into a burgeoning hub for cinema.

Angelo Reyes is more than a filmmaker; he is a cultural bridge-builder and a passionate advocate for stories that resonate globally, reflecting his profound commitment to multicultural storytelling and social advocacy.

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Director Statement

"As an actor and producer, the transition to writing and directing was a profound step for me. The question of what my first project would be lingered until a stark news report from my hometown, Virginia Beach, VA, shifted everything. It covered the arrest of two young men for human trafficking—a concept so alien to our family-friendly beach city that it stunned me.

My curiosity piqued, I delved into research and was startled to find Virginia ranked poorly in combating human trafficking. What I had assumed was predominantly an overseas issue was thriving in my own backyard. This discovery led me to Tanya Gould of Identifiable Me. The insights she shared about her experiences with human trafficking were both overwhelming and eye-opening. It was clear that this was a story that needed telling—a narrative rooted in the dark corners of American neighborhoods, not distant foreign lands.

Motivated by Tanya's strength and story, we partnered to create 'Groomed,' a short film that draws from real-life accounts to highlight the grooming processes traffickers use right under our noses. Our goal was not to sensationalize the brutality of the acts but to focus on the psychological manipulation employed by traffickers—ordinary-looking individuals who exploit the vulnerable.

The filming of 'Groomed' presented unique challenges. Casting was crucial as we needed actors who could handle the sensitive content with the gravity it deserved. We avoided explicit scenes of rape or sexual abuse, choosing instead to emphasize the insidious tactics of control and manipulation. The use of two Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6k cameras facilitated quick, precise shots in constrained spaces, essential for the intense, emotional scenes we had to capture often in a single take due to their emotional intensity.

This short film is just the beginning. We are planning to adapt 'Groomed' into a feature film to dive deeper into the narrative and expand its impact. We aim to further explore the complexities of human trafficking in a format that allows for a broader storytelling canvas.

I am immensely proud of and grateful for the dedication of our cast and crew, whose tireless efforts over many long hours brought 'Groomed' to fruition. This project, born from a deep-seated need to illuminate the hidden scourge of trafficking in everyday America, is the first step in what I hope will be a series of films that spark emotion and drive awareness about human struggles that demand attention.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey, and to the viewers, we hope to inspire you to recognize and combat the subtleties of domestic human trafficking."