Experiencing Interruptions?

Riffs

A guitar player loses his spot in a band to an AI program.

  • Rhys Schuffman
    Director
  • Yahav Megidesh
    Director
  • Rhys Schuffman
    Writer
  • Yahav Megidesh
    Writer
  • Rhys Schuffman
    Producer
  • Yahav Megidesh
    Producer
  • Jude Fiore-Born
    Key Cast
  • David Gael
    Key Cast
  • Jack Kaplan
    Key Cast
  • Rhys Schuffman
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Short, Music
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 8, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    930 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Notre Dame High School / Calabasas High School
  • Youth Free Expression Film Contest (NCAC/NYFA)
    Los Angeles
Director - Rhys Schuffman, Yahav Megidesh
Director Statement

Production for *Riffs* began in June, along with script writing and fundraising. We raised $930 of a $2000 goal. To accommodate this shortfall, we rewrote our budget, trimming costs and increasing rentals while limiting major purchases to lights.

A few months later, we shot the scenes over two days and three locations with four friends: Jude Fiore Born, David Gael, Jack Kaplan, and Rhys Schuffman. One of our favorite shots, which was done by accident but later proved crucial for the final cut, is the one in which is featured in the credits. This symbolized Jude’s release from his dependency on the band. Once we finished the shoot, we took a month to edit the film.

We also compiled an original soundtrack in the editing phase, composed by David Gael. He came up with three songs on his own, and that turned out to be the most time-consuming part for our movie. Since the film's soundtrack played a vital part, we could not finish the edit without it; therefore, we had more music than actually featured in the five-minute final runtime.

Here's a rough outline of the plot (Since it is a quick moving film):

The film opens with Jude, David, and Jack rehearsing in a practice room. After Jude messes things up, David leaves the band practice. The next morning, David calls Jude and informs him that he has been replaced by an AI program. This encourages Jude to take up his guitar and record his song. The positive response from his producer lets Jude know about his own potential and self-worth. Though the band collapsed, the success follows after Jude pursues his solo career.

The film shows a lot of symbolism. In a call between David and Jude, the red light on David's face signals Jude's dependency in their musical career. When David hangs up the call, the red light disappears, meaning that Jude was finally released from the pressure or, rather, his dependency. First, the employment of a fisheye lens in the initial band scenes captures Jude's euphoric feeling while playing music; this lens effect is gone once Jude seeks disapproval from David. Later, once Jude starts recording alone, the fisheye lens is used but now to deliver the message that Jude regains his passion for playing music.

By paying closer attention to these symbolic elements and narrative arcs, *Riffs* makes a message of self-discovery and independence through its visual and auditory storytelling techniques.