Experiencing Interruptions?

The Present

When she crashes her childhood best friend’s 30th birthday party, determined to finally confess her feelings for him, a lovesick woman must grapple with the possibility that she’s missed her shot with her one true love.

  • Tara Marie Smith
    Director
  • Daniel Katz
    Director
  • Tara Marie Smith
    Writer
  • Tara Marie Smith
    Producer
  • Daniel Katz
    Producer
  • Tara Marie Smith
    Key Cast
    "Eve"
  • Mignon Farmani
    Key Cast
    "Cynthia"
  • Lawrence Locke
    Key Cast
    "Cameron"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Romance, Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Hasselblad H6D-100C
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Tara Marie Smith, Daniel Katz

Tara Smith is an actor/writer/filmmaker from Chicago. She is most drawn to the stories that speak to the experiences of black women in America, spirituality in all of her forms, mental health and love. With much credit to her work as a psychotherapist and study of creative writing from the University of Southern California, she tends to create dynamic characters struggling with very human experiences and growing from seemingly imperfect endings. She collaborates with her partner and DP, Daniel Katz.

Daniel Katz was born in Baku, Azerbaijan and emigrated to the US at the age of four. He grew up in San Francisco with exposure to Azerbaijani, Jewish and American culture, all of which have influenced his creative thinking and interest in shooting around the world. Daniel shot his first 16mm short film which he screened at a film festival he founded at his high school, which led him to get a BA in Film and an MA in International Studies & Diplomacy in London.

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Director Statement

I wanted to explore a love story in which the ending is unconventional, but with a sense that the love between characters endures. The Present, which serves as a proof of concept for a proposed series in the same world, explores co-ed friendship, the age-related crises in the confusing space between emerging adulthood and middle age, and the anxiety around speaking one’s truth.

The Present is the first film (that is known to have been) shot on a Hasselblad H6D-100C which uses a large 4K medium format sensor which gives a distinctly vivid pop and depth to the image. We sought to make a film that was as dynamic visually as it was emotionally, bringing a unique look and ending to a classic tale. We strived to accomplish that while creating more seats at the table for our team of diverse, talented cast and crew.