Experiencing Interruptions?

Surprise Me

Everything always starts for Doug & Wendy, but never really ends.

Surprise Me was created as part of the New Parkway Theater's "72-Hour Sleep Less, Make More" filmmaking challenge held in Oakland in 2014.

  • Darryl Jones
    Director
  • Darryl Jones
    Writer
  • Darryl Jones
    Producer
  • Carter Chastain
    Key Cast
    "Doug"
  • Zara Benner
    Key Cast
    "Wendy"
  • Lisa Wang
    Key Cast
    "Lisa"
  • Tim Maloney
    Director of Photography
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 1, 2014
  • Production Budget:
    500 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:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • 72-Hour Sleepless, Make More Film Festival
    Oakland, CA
    United States
    September 14, 2014
    World Premiere
Director Biography - Darryl Jones

Darryl Jones is a lifelong filmmaker and the co-founder of the production banner High Dive, which specializes in short films and music videos. High Dive's first feature film, RUTHIE JOINS A DEATH CULT, wrapped production in Los Angeles in March 2026.

High Dive's recent short film projects have screened nationwide at the Newport Beach, Big Apple, Austin, RiverRun and Cucalorus Film Festivals.

As a writer/director, Darryl has made four short films since 2014, SURPRISE ME, ALL OF THIS!!!, THE CAVE (in post), and TANDEM, a bicycle romance, which is currently on the 2026 festival circuit.

He lives and works in Carrboro, North Carolina.

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Director Statement

Our team found it both terribly sad, and perversely funny, that a couple who has obviously lost the ability to surprise each other, is obligated to attend an annual surprise party for the same person—who we never see, and is presumably always surprised.