Experiencing Interruptions?

Instant Camera

David, a software developer, is struggling to finish a profitable project. While taking a break, he comes across his deceased father's instant camera. As he uses the camera, he begins to think his father is trying to communicate with him through the pictures. Meanwhile someone doesn't want him to complete his project and is willing go to great lengths to stop him.

  • Terry D. Coates
    Director
    Terms and Conditions
  • Terry D. Coates
    Writer
  • Jack Netzl
    Key Cast
    "David"
  • Amanda Bauer
    Key Cast
    "Andrea"
  • Laura Dinn
    Key Cast
    "The Fixer"
  • Thad Bauer
    Key Cast
    "Detective"
  • Edward Greathouse
    Key Cast
    "Craig"
  • Terry D. Coates
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Sandridge"
    Terms and Conditions
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Sci-Fi, Drama
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 23, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    DCI 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.9:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Cindependent Film Festival
    Cincinnati, OH
    United States
    August 31, 2019
    Official Selection - Script
Director Biography - Terry D. Coates

Born and raised in Ohio, Terry D. Coates has been a man of varied talents. Deep into photography in high school, he also worked as a weekend DJ at a local radio station. That led to running sound and lights for a rock band formed by friends of his. He also volunteered as a firefighter until he discovered racing cars. He raced competitively for 12 years while working as a computer programmer. Today, he works as a corporate trainer. All the while he dabbled in video. He currently makes videos for his training and development company, his son's running events and his father's community tree project while writing, directing and producing short films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

My Dad had an old Polaroid SX-70 (two, actually--he wore the first one out!) which was the inspiration for the film. There have been a lot of short films made where the instant pictures are "haunted", but they are usually malevolent. We went in a different direction.

We're a minimalist filmmaker. Principle photography done by a crew of two. Our actors had limited availability, so we started shooting on a Friday evening and wrapped 48 hours later--about 20 hours on-set. We averaged about an hour of shooting per minute of screen time. The real challenge was post-production: every photo in the film was digitally created.

The single largest expense on the budget? Saturday's pizza order for lunch.