Shadowplay

Mixing visual, sound, and storytelling elements from different eras and regions, "Shadowplay" depicts a world filled with dysfunctional work culture through an unorthodox conflict between an office worker and her shadow, and seeks a hidden connection between the dominance of corporatism and the illusion of self-importance.

  • Andy Liu
    Director
  • Andy Liu
    Writer
  • Andy Liu
    Editor
  • Iris Gao
    Key Cast
  • Edro Gonzales
    Key Cast
  • Chris Jassmann
    Music Composer
  • Ayesha Cheung
    Sound Operator
  • Normey Liu
    Assistant Director
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Experimental, Dance, Drama
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 17, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 CAD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English, Yue Chinese (Cantonese)
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 16mm Analog
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • F-O-R-M (Festival of Recorded Movement)
    Vancouver
    Canada
    November 16, 2024
    World Premiere
  • Sonic Dreamlands at Lobe Studio
    Vancouver
    Canada
    December 12, 2024
Director Biography - Andy Liu

Andy Liu (He/him) is an emerging filmmaker based in Vancouver, Canada who enjoys exploring new and unfamiliar media through his works, both as a challenge and a learning experience. His creative practice focuses on the interaction between one’s self consciousness and their surroundings through audio-visual experimentation. From his past experience as a dance videographer, Andy also enjoys capturing spontaneous moments as highlights in his works.

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Director Statement

The initial idea for this project came to me as I was laid off as a software engineer back in January 2023. As a person who dedicated most of my days to work and career advancement for the past 4 years and deeply valued the balance between effort and reward, I was shocked and confused when I first received the news and the experience affected me mentally still to this day. At first I was relieved to leave the overwhelming stress work has brought me behind, but the layoff also brought a fear of uncertainty as it reminded me that we don’t have full control of our own life paths. And as the tech industry starts to collapse and evolve while a potential economic downturn is approaching it seems more relevant to make this film now than ever. I hope to present these ideas in movement instead of narration based on how visceral the experience was to me and bring these deep emotions to the audience through a unique vision.