Private Project

Seeing Read

“I have a tin-ear for comedy and I found it genuinely funny.” - Mark Kermode

*OFFICIAL SELECTION - BFI FUTURE FILM FESTIVAL*
*OFFICIAL SELECTION - NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL*
*OFFICIAL SELECTION - LONDON DIRECTOR AWARDS*
*OFFICIAL SELECTION - LIFT-OFF FILMMAKER SESSIONS*

Ever sent a text you wish you could unsend?

Zoey, a chaotic girl in her early twenties, is plunged into stress when she texts Miles, the guy she likes, to ask him out on a date, and is left "on read".

Whilst Zoey spirals and does everything she can to distract herself from waiting for his reply, an oblivious Miles laughs and plays video games with his friends. A fun, comedic take on the anxieties of modern dating.

  • Beth Perkin
    Director
    Catherine, Called Birdy (BTS videography), We Are Who We Are (BTS videography)
  • Natasha Perkin
    Director
    Catherine, Called Birdy (BTS videography), We Are Who We Are (BTS videography)
  • Beth Perkin
    Writer
  • Natasha Perkin
    Writer
  • Beth Perkin
    Producer
  • Natasha Perkin
    Producer
  • Caitlin Griffiths
    Producer
  • Isis Hainsworth
    Key Cast
    "Zoey"
    Catherine, Called Birdy, Red Rose, Metal Lords, National Theatre Live: A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Tessa Bonham Jones
    Key Cast
    "Jen"
    Wonder Woman, National Theatre Live: A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Project Type:
    Short, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Comedy
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 2, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, ARRI, Phantom
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Norwich Film Festival
    Norwich
    United Kingdom
    November 19, 2023
    National premiere
    N/A
  • London Director Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 14, 2023
    TBC
    TBC
  • BFI Future Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    N/A
  • Lift-Off Filmmaker Sessions

    Official Selection
Director Biography - Beth Perkin, Natasha Perkin

Beth and Natasha Perkin are sisters and filmmakers. They got their start working as Behind the Scenes videographers for HBO and Amazon.

Now, they have taken the plunge into the narrative world with their first short, "Seeing Read". Their second, starring Jack Dylan Grazer (It, Shazam, We Are Who We Are), will shoot later this year.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

We made "Seeing Read" to capture the universally - and painfully - relatable aspect of modern life: waiting for a text back from the person you have a crush on.

In today's world, dating has evolved into a complex dance of texting and swiping. Our film aims to mirror the experiences of so many of us who have navigated this absurd digital dating landscape.

Zoey, who is portrayed by the brilliant Isis Hainsworth, embarks on an endearingly chaotic journey as she enters the wild west of the modern dating scene.

"Seeing Read" presents the highs and lows of online dating in a fresh and engaging way. The film provides a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of modern love, emphasizing that beneath the digital facade, real emotions and connections persist.

We also wanted the chance to experiment technically. In contrasting Zoey’s frenzied waiting around with her love interest’s sheer obliviousness, we decided to use the Phantom slow-motion camera, which enabled us to shoot even slower than usual, and thus amplify the comedy and absurdity of the potential couple’s wildly different mental states.

By bringing Zoey's story to life on screen, we aimed to validate the vulnerability and self-doubt that accompany the pursuit of love in a fast-paced, technology-driven world.

In a world where dating can feel like a real ordeal, "Seeing Read" invites viewers to reflect on their own dating experiences, find solace in Zoey's journey, and laugh at the absurdities of modern romance.