Private Project

The Recital

Down on his luck creatively and financially Tyler Barnes is contacted out of the blue by his estranged "sister" Madeline who happens to be a professional ballet dancer in the same town as him. After she informs him that she is performing as the lead with her dance troop, she invites him to her recital.

Madeline is visually nervous until her enthusiastic, charming and a little off dance instructor Andvari bursts in and helps calm her nerves. She is now ready to perform her part. However there is something about both Andvari and her part, that does not quite meet the eye. After Madeline takes center stage Tyler arrives and he cannot believe what he sees. His life is forever changed.

  • Christian York
    Director
  • Christian York
    Writer
  • Robert Joseph Sciglimpaglia
    Producer
    Within and Without, Bathtub Chronicles
  • Victoria Baldesarra
    Key Cast
    "Madeline Barnes"
    The Next Step
  • John Paul Jones
    Key Cast
    "Andvari"
    The Bachelor; Bathtub Chronicles, The Undesirables
  • James Preston
    Key Cast
    "Tyler Barnes"
  • Kevin Grossman
    Key Cast
    "Donnie"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Horror
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 14, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Alexa Black Magic
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • San Antonio Film Festival

    August 4, 2022
Director Biography - Christian York

Born in Del Rio Texas, Christian York has had a passion for film for as long as he could remember. Growing up watching film and recording whatever he could he knew film was his calling. Christian York successfully received a Degree in Science and Film at Full Sail in 2016. He has since moved to Los Angeles California and has been taking every opportunity to write and direct in hopes to achieve his dream of telling great stories.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I wrote and directed the short film "The Recital” because I was inspired by the concept of seeing is believing, even if what you are seeing comes out of left field. I wanted to take the audience on a journey of family discovery but then make the discovery something unimaginable. The main character Tyler who is down on his luck creatively and financially, sets out to meet his estranged sister Madeline who is a successful dancer following the guidance of Andvari, the dance instructor. After finally seeing his sister he is a changed man in ways he never thought possible. I met the lead actor James working as a production designer. He looked exhausted but still giving it his all. At that moment I knew he would do justice to the character. His emotional journey and arc in the film. Creating this film was a dream come true and I had a blast making it.