Experiencing Interruptions?

Vindicate

A young woman loses her dog to a drunk driver, and while dealing with the trauma, she seeks revenge.

  • Samuel K Pittman
    Director
  • Alicia McClendon
    Writer
  • Alicia McClendon
    Producer
  • Alicia McClendon
    Key Cast
    "Maia"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 15, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    1,070 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Samuel K Pittman

Sam started his film career at the age of 9 when he produced his first short film Hamster House with the family camcorder. In 2013, Sam created the web-series House of Wayward Men, a show loosely based on his band experiences. At the beginning of the pandemic, he started Awry Productions to pursue film full time. He then went on to co-create the historical documentary web series The Hoosier Story. Sam loves the challenge of film making and the fascinating art of story telling.

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Director Statement

When I first read Alicia McClendon’s script for Vindicate, I had a strong desire to produce it. Not only did I find the grief process in Vindicate fascinating, Alicia and I were both grieving from the loss of our beloved dogs earlier in that same year. It was important for me to direct Vindicate to not only grieve myself, but also to take special care to safety while filming.

I immediately envisioned the dog scenes in great detail on how I would approach camera movement and filming the actual dog only when we needed to see him. At first, we hooked the leash to the belt loops of my pants as Alicia dropped the leash with the camera in front of her. What made it to film was my friend and usual film partner, Spencer Dorian Crane, walking in front of Alicia out of frame, holding the leash as low as possible with the camera on the side of the action.

I hope you enjoy our short film Vindicate. This one’s for you Casey and Laika!