We tell stories every day. But this time, we told one just for the thrill of it.
As a group full of writers, videographers, designers, strategists, and all-around big idea people, we love a challenge. So when the opportunity came up to participate in the NEPA Film Festival’s Mystery Box Film Challenge, we thought: why not?
Spoiler alert: filmmaking is hard. But also a ton of fun. (Check out our BTS!)
The NEPA Film Festival celebrates unique, original, and independently produced cinema. The two-day event features film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and special programming for movie lovers and industry insiders alike. The Mystery Box Film Challenge invites anyone to create a short film based on a few surprise prompts. It’s open to all, and designed for anyone who loves a creative challenge.
And that challenge was simple in theory: make a short film in under two months using five mystery prompts: a vinyl record, a book of matches, duct tape, a Polaroid photo, and a character named Alex.
Easy, right?
Not exactly. But we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.
We introduced the challenge during one of our creative meetings, where everyone pitched a story concept. Then we voted on our favorite. The winner? A twisty little drama-thriller called “I Would Give Anything.”
(No spoilers! You’ll have to see it for yourself.)
The process was wild. We had developers writing scripts. Project managers acting. Designers doing set dressing. The whole team pitched in. We story-boarded, location-scouted, rewrote (and rewrote again), shot at night, and leaned heavily on our incredibly talented video team to bring the vision to life. Shoutout to them for making something this ambitious look effortless.
And yes, we did all this while continuing our usual day-to-day work.
While filmmaking was a fun stretch for our creative muscles, we’re happy to stay in our lane.
Telling brand stories through thoughtful strategy, great design, and compelling content is where we thrive. This challenge reminded us just how powerful a good story can be – and how much magic happens when a creative team gets excited about trying something new.
So, no, we’re not pivoting into film. But if you’re looking for a creative partner that can bring your wildest ideas to life, you know where to find us.
And if you’re looking to see a bunch of independent films (including ours) made by some incredibly talented people, head to the NEPA Film Festival on April 4-6 at the Waverly Community House. It’s one of the most creative weekends in the region, and trust us, you’ll leave inspired.
