Private Project

Orange

After a pyrotechnic accident supervising fireworks, Lucas lost the ability to speak and damaged his lower face. He is sent to the South of France to get treated where he meets his physiotherapist Jackson who will help him in his silent recovery. Inspired by true events.

  • Tom Koch
    Director
  • Jake Shipley
    Director
  • Tom Koch
    Writer
  • Jake Shipley
    Writer
  • Astrid Lark
    Producer
    Gold from the Sky
  • Tom Koch
    Key Cast
    "Lucas"
    Petit Louis
  • Ed Malone
    Key Cast
    "Jackson"
  • Jake Shipley
    Key Cast
    "Noah"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Tom Koch, Jake Shipley

Co-Director, Tom Koch (https://tomkochactor.com)
Tom grew up between the South of France and London where he practiced martial arts, physical comedy and classical theater. At 20, he moved to New York to study acting, Tom made his Off-Broadway debut in Science and started writing his own films. He studied directing at Yale and in 2023 directed and starred in his first film, Orange. Tom is a virgo, he loves to-do lists. (Film: Petit louis Dir. Andre Bato, Terra Incognita Dir. Nabil Elbehri) (Off-Broadway: Richard III SoHo Shakespeare Co, Port Chicago 50 Theater Row)

Co-Director, Jake Shipley (https://m.imdb.com/name/nm15203929/)
Jake is New York born Actor and Writer, and most recently a director. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Jake studied for an additional year at the University of Wisconsin Madison. This is because as a New Yorker, he felt he needed to leave the city only to complain about not being there the whole time. After sufficiently exposing himself to the Midwest, Jake returned to NYC to participate in multiple local play festivals; at one of which he won the ‘Best Actor’ Award. Jake also recently toured the Northeast with the Traveling Lantern Theatre Company. He also recently finished directing his first ever short film. He is a pizza purist.

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Director Statement

Co-Director, Tom Koch: "In November 2009, Lucas (our lead character) became the fifth person in the world to undergo a successful facial graft. He was prescribed a cocktail of medications in order to fight skin rejections. However, the usage of these medications eventually led to the development of cancer in his liver, he passed away in 2015. My mother was this young man's nutritionist. His story stayed with me for years and lived somewhere in my subconscious. The one question I had was: How do you help a young man recover from this? I created Jackson (our 2nd Lead) his physical therapist and made them interact with one another. It created Orange, a film about a silent recovery, using colors and physical work!"

Co-Director, Jake Shipley: "This project was the brainchild of myself and my best friend Tom. It was born in a creative tizzy we both got into while living together briefly. He had the idea rattling around his head and it was my pleasure to bring it to life alongside him. What started as a tragic and inspiring story became a beautiful journey that borrows from both my life and Tom’s. We’re very happy to present this story of recovery and perseverance to you. I hope you enjoy!"