Private Project

The Showdown

Frankie is your average comic book fan, Alex is your up and coming theater actor. Their lives will change forever when a chocolate candy bar enters their lives. Watch as these two powerhouses duke it out for the ultimate prize. Who will make it out triumphant?

  • Andy Espinoza
    Director
    Lamentation
  • Andy Espinoza
    Writer
    Lamentation
  • Paul DiFranco
    Producer
  • Andy Espinoza
    Producer
  • Trip Jones
    Key Cast
    "Frankie"
  • Shaunghnessy Swails
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
  • Jessica Marks
    Key Cast
    "Maya"
  • Corran Hale
    Key Cast
    "Corran"
  • Emma Reed
    Supporting Cast
    Actor 1
  • Kiedae Smith
    Supporting Cast
    Concessions Guy
  • Caleb Richardson
    Supporting Cast
    Understudy
  • Tommy McKay
    Director of Photography
    Brainstem
  • KD Jordan
    Production Designer
  • Sean Shearer
    Stunt Coordinator
  • Corran Hale
    Editors
  • Rebekah Lamarre
    Editors
  • Andy Espinoza
    Editors
  • Gabe Evans
    Music by
  • ZZ Keys
    Music by
  • Dorie Triplett
    Unit Production Manager
  • Elijah Immanuel
    Assistant Director
  • Kit Wilder
    Choreography Supervisor
  • Scott Goodrich
    Prop Master
  • Kalea Saenz
    Candy Bar Props
  • KD Jordan
    Makeup Artists
  • Angel Andino
    Makeup Artists
  • Chase Lyerly
    Assistant Camera
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Action, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 10, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    813 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Shenandoah University
  • Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Festival
    Winchester, VA
    United States
    March 31, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Semi-Finalist; Best Production Design & Best Comedy
Director Biography - Andy Espinoza

Andy Espinoza is a writer, director, and producer from Winchester Virginia.

Their first short film, Lamentation, won Special Mention - Best Short Film at the Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Festival in 2020.

They have collaborated alongside notable filmmakers, including Glenn Østen Anderson (Coogan’s Way), Cedric Hill (SIDES), and Blayne Weaver (Cupid for Christmas).

In 2022, Andy founded Arte Pictures LLC. a production company aimed at uplifting indie filmmakers, tell stories of underdogs, and create visually artistic work. Their latest short film, The Showdown is set to premiere this spring.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

During my time at college I worked on some many projects, but never really focused on my own. Resources and money has always been a constraint, but creativity never lacked.

This project was the first of many things for me, the first time I work with a stunt coordinator, the first time I work with a large crew, first time working with a budget and a campaign. It's scary yet also exciting, I feel like I get better with every project I make.

To me, the Showdown came out of a need to keep telling stories. I wanted something dynamic and kinetic. I have never done comedy, so that was a first for me, but for me, the story was always about spectacle. The real spectacle is not the play, but rather Alex's and Frankie's drive to do something out of pure spite and pettiness.

The team and I have spent an entire year working on this project, we are excited to show everyone what The Showdown is all about!