Experiencing Interruptions?

The Stranger

A young professor is visited by a man who knows more than he appears.

  • Jonah Manibusan
    Director
  • Jonah Manibusan
    Writer
  • Jonah Manibusan
    Producer
  • Frankie Kachur
    Key Cast
    "Mary Madeline"
  • Jay Soni
    Key Cast
    "The Stranger"
  • Shawn Malangyaon
    Director of Photography
  • Paul Lee
    Editor
  • Nicolette Cash
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Noir, Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 3, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - George Mason University
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Jonah Manibusan

Jonah Manibusan is a filmmaker and student at George Mason University, majoring in Film and minoring in Communications. He is the Founder and Creative Director of 3017th Studios, a production company established in 2022, dedicated to creating thought-provoking and meaningful content. Under his leadership, 3017th Studios has produced award-winning short films, documentaries, music videos, and more.

Inspired by filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock, Christopher Nolan, and Quentin Tarantino, Jonah’s work explores themes of memory, redemption, and the lasting impact of the past. His stories often center on characters grappling with their history, reflecting his belief that the past shapes identity.

Jonah has cultivated a broad skill set across all phases of filmmaking, from pre-production to post-production, with a primary focus on directing and cinematography. He emphasizes collaboration and versatility, mastering roles in writing, editing, color correction, sound recording, and lighting. Whether working on fiction, nonfiction, or commercial projects, Jonah prioritizes storytelling and teamwork to create work that resonates with audiences and leaves a lasting impression.

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Director Statement

This was a passion project dedicated to my love of Alfred Hitchcock films and The Twilight Zone.

This was my first film ever made. I came up with this idea back when I was in high school and originally envisioned it as a One Act show for the stage. However, once COVID hit, forcing the stage world to shut down, I decided to become a film major. When I made this switch, I always assumed I would never be able to tell this story, as it was meant for the stage and not for film.

However, after talking to one of my professors about it, I was encouraged to see if I could rework it into a short film. A couple months later, I have a finished script ready to shoot. While still figuring out production details, I remember thinking how this story would be one that would be my version of a Twilight Zone episode, which heavily inspired it, leading me to decide to go with a black and white, noir, aesthetic. This element brought so many more layers than imagined, as it added to the opposing ideals of both the lead characters.

It was a true joy to tell this story and could not have been more thankful to the wonderful and talented cast and crew, all of whom worked endlessly to help tell this story.