Experiencing Interruptions?

TIPS

A desperate server confronts her disappointed table, a young couple celebrating their Tinder anniversary, after they write a negative online review about her service and Afro-Caribbean hair.

Madness ensues in the restaurant parking lot as the wronged server demands justice, and the couple are forced to come clean and puncture the veneer of their Insta-flawless relationship… questioning if they even know each other 'in real life'.

  • Leah Doz
    Writer
    Strangers, Bite and Smile, Return
  • Mercedes Papalia
    Director
  • Elise Bauman
    Producer
    Bite and Smile, Shine On (Music Video)
  • Leah Doz
    Producer
    Bite and Smile, Strangers
  • Leah Doz
    Key Cast
    "The Server"
    Strays, New Eden, Faith Heist, Schitt's Creek, Mary Kills People, Kim's Convenience
  • Kate Schroder
    Key Cast
    "Gina"
    Web of Lies, Killing the Cure
  • Mark Matechuk
    Key Cast
    "Aaron"
    Almost Adults, Hank's Bad Day
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 10 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 10, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    7,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Canadian Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    June 6, 2020
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Great Canadian Comedy Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    December 6, 2021
    Best Actress
  • Caribbean Tales International Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    September 20, 2020
    Best Comedy
  • St. John's International Women's Film Festival
    St. John's
    Canada
    October 14, 2020
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Super Channel Fuse
    Country: Canada
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Mercedes Papalia

Mercedes is a first-time director. She has 13 years of experience in award-winning film and television/digital productions as an actor (The Handmaid's Tale, Definition of Fear, The L.A. Complex) and production designer (Bradley Borgen: The Actor Who Could Not Cry, Stuck, Dissecting Gwen). Mercedes relishes in creating beautiful worlds that are universally relatable through authentic storytelling.

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Director Statement

The rectangular light boxes in our pockets are powerful. We can declare our outrage on the latest political movement, or fall in love with a new Kardashian hairstyle all in the same breath.

But is it courageous to post our opinions and criticisms online?

Are we bullies posing as truth tellers, and what are millions of reviews and comments posted daily on the World Wide Web contributing to this fragile planet?

This social satire comedy short explores the consequences rarely faced beyond the safety of our keyboards.

Our story takes a collective leap into the rabbit hole of false pretences - the smiling server who hides her rage, the woman keeping up appearances on social media to avoid her fraudulent relationship, and the insecure boyfriend with a paper-thin wallet upholding status he does not actually have.

TIPS looks at how we can so easily create and destroy our illusive identities with just a few keystrokes.