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TableTalk

This is a story about getting lost in your imagination. If only for a few hours while spending quality board-game time with friends. Visually dynamic, each episode plays out in the fantasy world of a board game while also linking the struggles of these characters to the real world they live in.

  • Nathan Hong Fisher
    Director
  • Nathan Hong Fisher
    Writer
  • Kristy Richman
    Producer
  • Nathan Hong Fisher
    Producer
  • Michael Boyne
    Director of Photography
  • Esther Chen
    Key Cast
  • Kristy Richman
    Key Cast
  • Rebeca Robles
    Key Cast
  • Joseph Smith
    Key Cast
  • Michael Spadaccini
    Key Cast
  • John Warren
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short, Television, Web / New Media
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Comedy, Drama, Scifi, Western, Zombie, Animated, Horror
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • SeriesFest 2017
    Denver, CO
    United States
    June 29, 2017
    World Premiere
  • PAX Unplugged 2017
    Philidelphia
    United States
    November 18, 2017
    Featured Panel
Distribution Information
  • Fullscreen
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights, Internet, Video on Demand
Director Biography - Nathan Hong Fisher

Nathan Hong Fisher is a filmmaker living in New York City.

In 2017, along with his creative partner Kristy Richman, he developed a proof of concept pilot into a seven-episode short-form series called TableTalk which was distributed by Fullscreen Media.

His short film Backtrack received a jury commendation at the international Filminute 2016 festival and his design work featured the 2016 Golden Trailer® Award nominated trailer for Colonia.

Nathan's work can also be seen in the upcoming short films The Daughter, Hapa and The Oracle coming in 2018.

Currently, he is continuing development on the comedy series based in the same universe as Backtrack and actively adapting his science fiction novella Human+ into a scripted limited series.

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Director Statement

The concept for what eventually was developed into TableTalk came from a stroll through New York’s Central Park and the homesick feeling for the friends I moved away from on the West Coast. Life is always presenting us with choice and while some decisions may be easier to make than others there is always an ability to decide which path to take.

Board games, for me, are a distillation of these life choices and TableTalk uses this lens to view the lives of a close-knit group of friends. Do I move and then take action? Do I buy this house or wait for something better? Do I trust this friend or call out their lies? With a touch of comedy and melodrama I set out to create a short-form series that speaks to people who have made those life choices, are in the middle of a quarter-life crisis, or just love board games.

With the entire series being produced by a team of two, myself and my creative partner Kristy Richman, it often felt like herding cats. Like at any moment the wheels could fall off. My own creativity was put to the test with on location re-writes, sudden two-foot snow storms, and looming hard deadlines.

Looking back, I can see my own growth. By episode seven writing the dialogue felt more natural and nuanced. My work with actors on set felt more collaborative. And, the ability to convey my vision to department heads and other lead creatives became clearer.

The six-month production timeline from greenlight to final delivery and premiere was a whirlwind experience. One that allowed me to experience the full life cycle of a scripted series and one that has left me as a better storyteller and director for all my future projects.

The opportunity to create the first season by crowdfunding through the Seed&Spark New Voice Rally then winning the Straight to Screen development deal with Fullscreen Media allowed TableTalk to come to life. I have been able to work with some amazing talent and creative minds and interact with our core audience as a featured panel at the 2017 PAX Unpluged board game convention. I am proud to be able to have brought the first season to life and look forward to continuing this group’s story into the future.