Private Project

Shock Value

In a 1960s testing room, a man is assigned the name of “Teacher” by a unseen voice and is tasked with conducting a tutoring session with a seemingly distant “Student”. But the lesson takes a dark turn when the Student resists - And a sinister truth begins to surface through a series of shocking questions and irreversible answers.

Based on the official transcripts of the infamous Stanley Milgram Experiments, Shock Value is a psychological thriller that hits universal themes like Free Will, Authority, Power, and Morality in an intense claustrophobic exam of cooperation.

  • Sam Veeramachaneni
    Director
  • Sam Veeramachaneni
    Writer
  • Sam Veeramachaneni
    Producer
  • Jonathan Mcfadden
    Key Cast
    "Teacher"
    Hot Mess In A Wedding Dress
  • Wade Hunt Williams
    Key Cast
    "Student"
    Child of God
  • Vimala Veera
    Key Cast
    "Researcher"
    Megaboa
  • Renee Kim
    Key Cast
    "Intercom"
    Walking Dead Comic Dub
  • Christopher Shick
    1st Assistant Director
    Nova, Dark Obsession
  • Dean Donnini
    Sound Mixer
    Somewhere in Florida
  • Luis Jordan Lorenzo
    Director of Photography
    Briefcase!
  • FreakWithKamera
    Gaffer
  • Joseph Holiday
    Sound Designer
    Snakes of Russia
  • Jamie Lee
    Visual Effects Artist
    Outer Banks
  • Hugo Perez
    Composer
    Glasseye Band, Leftovers, Neon Sacrament
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Psychological, Thriller, Drama, Period, 1960s
  • Runtime:
    25 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    6,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.66
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Los Angeles Indie Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    May 16, 2025
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    July 16, 2025
    Best Film Noir Short
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    May 5, 2025
    Best Short of the Season Runner-up
Director Biography - Sam Veeramachaneni

Sam Veeramachaneni is a Narrative Director with a Multi-disciplinary background of over 6 years.

Having pitched, shot, edited, and produced dozens of Commercials, Music Videos, and Films through his own Production Company: Sam Veeramachaneni is currently premiering his latest project, A Psychological Period Thriller; SHOCK VALUE

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Hello!
I'm Sam Veeramachaneni, a Narrative Director with a focus on Psychological Thriller films.

My latest film Shock Value: Follows a man who is assigned the name ‘Teacher’ and is informed to conduct a Vocabulary Quiz with another man named ‘Student’. But when the Student refuses to cooperate; A sinister truth is revealed through a series of shocking questions.

The Film is based on the real 1960's Behavior Experiments and utilizes the official transcriptions of the studies at the time.

I wanted to create an immersive experience that lets you view a perspective through a series of choices of a single person; to challenge the notion "I would never do that".

As Floridian, I'm proud to have produced the project in my home-state and to tout an All-local Floridian Cast & Crew.