Opening Night

On the opening night of his sold-out one man show, star actor Gary Baker-Hall and his young protégé understudy Edward go on a drug fueled bender just minutes before curtains rise.

  • Marko Salazar
    Director
    Wolf Cake (LA SHORTS 2025)
  • Steven Mora
    Writer
  • Riley Foulk
    Producer
  • Arman Behzad
    Producer
  • Johnny DiGiorgio
    Key Cast
    "Gary Baker Hall"
  • Wylie Wagnon
    Key Cast
    "Edward Cooper"
    How Ethan Fink Became A Millionare (NFFTY 2025)
  • Lauren LeBeouf
    Key Cast
    "Tilda / Producer"
  • Zaven McCarty
    Key Cast
    "Daniel / Director"
  • Evangeline Lindes
    Key Cast
    "Monika / PA"
    Daughter of Dire Straits guitarist Hal Lindes.
  • Marko Salazar
    Costumes + Wardrobe
    Wolf Cake
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Dark Comedy, Proof of Concept
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 22, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRI 35 with Lomos
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Austin After Dark
    Austin, Texas
    October 18, 2025
    World Premiere
    Official Selection — Best Proof of Concept Finalist
  • Snake Alley Festival of Film
    Burlington, Iowa
    July 11, 2026
    Midwest Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Marko Salazar

Marko Salazar is a Latino-American filmmaker from Chicago, IL, known for his expressive, versatile, and visually striking storytelling. He founded Midnight Star Films in 2022, under which he creates independent short films that reflect his unique voice and dark, stylistically heightened narratives. His official student short film debut release, Wolf Cake (2025), was created in his first year at Chapman and world-premiered at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival, garnering early festival attention. Currently finishing his studyies at the prestigious Chapman University, Marko is rapidly establishing himself as a bold, visionary filmmaker whose work pushes the boundaries of style, narrative, and cinematic innovation.

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Director Statement

** Emerging filmmaker known for fusing dark midnight tones with daring auteurist stylization, crafting visually distinct stories that heighten tension, absurdity, and human vulnerability.**

Created as part of the academic film program at Chapman Universities Dodge College of Film and Media Arts as a standing Junior Thesis / Advanced Production 3rd-Year Film.

My name is Marko Salazar, and I’m a Latin-American filmmaker and storyteller that’s naturally drawn to dark, midnight stories — whether a riveting comedy or apocalyptic horror. If it can be told under the moon and stars, it’s a story I want to voice. With historical ties to Salamanca, Spain, my works carry a distinctive visual edge and a bold, auteur-driven approach— establishing a signature voice in dark, art-house storytelling.

The moment my respected and trusted collaborator Steven Mora first read his original script for Opening Night in class, something in me lit up. I knew instantly that I had to be the one to bring it to life. It’s wild, absurd, and darkly funny—yet grounded in the very real chaos and struggles, like addiction and self-destruction, that often hide behind the curtain of big productions in our industry.

Our goal was to capture that authentic rush—the disorienting, electric feeling of being swept along for one unforgettable night. We wanted the audience to feel as if they’re right there on the bender with our characters, spiraling through the same madness and momentum.

This short serves as a proof of concept, and my hope is that it leaves you wanting more—more of these eccentric, flawed characters, this vibrant stage-world, and the unpredictable ride that comes with it.

I’m endlessly grateful for my dream cast, our incredible crew, my producer Riley, our brilliant PD and DP, and my amazing AD. And to Steven—my fellow Hispanic creative—thank you for trusting me with your hilariously original screenplay and for rolling with every twist and turn of this process.

**WORKSHOPPED AND CREATED UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF BELOVED COMEDIC LEGENDARY WRITER BARRY BLAUSTEIN (COMING TO AMERICA, COMING 2 AMERICA, NUTTY PROFESSOR)**

Press / Industry Quotes:
“Excellent. I love it” — Barry Blaustein
(Writer: SNL, Nutty Professor, Coming to America, Coming 2 America)