Experiencing Interruptions?

Work Life

A 'yes man' gets caught in an endless cycle of taking on too much work which takes an enormous toll on his physical and mental health. Working from home, confined to his computer, he needs to get to his bleakest point before he realises that he needs to turn things around. A story of despair, compassion, and salvation as he seeks self-improvement and companionship.

  • John Lukey
    Director
  • John Lukey
    Writer
  • John Lukey
    Producer
  • Daniel Woloszczuk
    Producer
  • Daniel Woloszczuk
    Key Cast
    "Luke"
  • John Lukey
    Key Cast
    "Stephen"
  • Rudina Nuredini
    Key Cast
    "Girl Nextdoor"
  • Robert Griffiths
    Key Cast
    "Harry"
  • Michael Parker
    Key Cast
    "The Doctor"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 5, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - John Lukey

John Lukey is a filmmaker based in Harlow, United Kingdom. John currently works in Occupational Health, though his passion lies in the process of making movies. His first awakening to the world of movie magic was seeing Jurassic Park in cinemas at the age of 5, and he has since been obsessed with everything about the filmmaking process. He initially set out to get into acting, with a brief period in Los Angeles where he underwent formal training, before returning to England to complete an Advanced Diploma in Acting from the London School of Dramatic Art .

In more recent years, John has broadened his focus and has been writing his own screenplays. His directorial debut, Work-Life, was both an opportunity for him to hone his skills in each stage of filmmaking, from pre- to post-production, while also using his experiences working in Occupational Health during the pandemic to accurately portray the physical and mental struggles many people face while working from home.

John has other projects lined up, including his next short, a completed feature script, and another feature conceptualised, and his main goal is to eventually be able to work solely as a filmmaker.

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Director Statement

I hope Work Life helps to continue to raise awareness on mental health and that the stigma associated with mental health can eventually be lifted. This film has some very real messages in it that need to be heard. The intention was to portray the day-to-day grind that is so easy to get caught up in, where we work and work, trying to do a good job and hoping that the work will die down eventually, meanwhile the work continues to pile on the more we do, and each day blends into the next as it all becomes a blur. Something that probably sounds very familiar to a lot of people.

Importantly, I wanted to show some common pitfalls that can cause someone to feel overwhelmed and reach a point of burnout or crisis, while also demonstrating the importance of communication, seeking support, and many other positive coping strategies to help pull through difficult times. I would like to remind people that work is work, but life should be so much more, and we need to do things that we enjoy and have things we look forward to always. Achieving a healthy balance is everything.