A Case Study
Narrative | Dramatic Features
Film Name: THIRST
Genre: SciFi / Thriller
Date: Oct 1, 2020
Director: Stefan Dezil
Producer: Brad A. Kinnan, Pia Clemente, Luke Arreguin along with EPs Theo Dumont, Daniel Sol, Steven Adams, Dawn Fanning Moore, and David Moore
Writer: Stefan Dezil
Cinematographer: Evan Butka
Production Company: 20th Digital Studio
Budget: numerals
Financing: text
Shooting Format: RED Digital
Screening Format: 2:35:1
World Premiere: Hulu
Awards: N/A
Website: text
indieactivity: What is your film about?
Stefan Dezil (SD): In dystopian future South Los Angeles, a father & daughter avoid sweating, crying, and drinking water while trying to escape moisture-sensitive monsters. Inspired by the Flint water crisis and other municipal difficulties faced disproportionately by people of color around the world, THIRST is a cautionary tale that explores what could happen if these issues aren’t faced head-on. It is also a rumination on how black
children, when faced with adversity, are taught to hide their emotions and humanity in order to survive. This, in turn, gives birth to inner demons that at some point…cannot be contained.
Tell us about the festival run, marketing, and sales?
Stefan Dezil (SD): THIRST premiered on Hulu, October 21st, and is currently streaming in the Bite-Size Halloween series. It was part of the 2020 Opening lineup of the Hollyshorts Film Festival on BitPix.
Give the full Official Synopsis for your film?
Stefan Dezil (SD): Dying of thirst, Ronald and Becca make their way through a dilapidated city searching for resources when young Becca’s neck cooling collar loses battery life. To prevent her from sweating, Ronald switches their units. Becca, desperate, hits a machine that spews out contaminated water, attracting monsters to them. She and her father must hide and protect themselves from the moisture-sensitive creatures while trying to keep their bodies as dry and possible.
Development & Financing?
Stefan Dezil (SD): THIRST was made in a development initiative with 20th Digital Studio and their Bite-Size Halloween series, where I pitched the concept and crafted the story with their support. I partnered with them through our collaborators at 88th Street Productions and we produced the project, financed by 20th Digital, along with service production companies <SUPERLATIVE, Capture, and DYNMC Studios.
Production?
Stefan Dezil (SD): Our project began as a two-month-long short film scripting process in the summer, while we developed the larger world for potential long-format adaptation. Pre-production was a marathon in two weeks but with the support of our production companies, meticulous team, and the support of 20th Digital Studio, we were able to make the film happen under strict CoVID protocols as well as right after the wildfires in California. Casting took place over Zoom and was key in finding our phenomenal leads in Charlie Barnett and Kennedi Butler, along with an engrossing physical performance from Tiffany Abney as our monster: The Ligon. The gorgeously grotesque concept art for the creature was done by Luca Nemolato who is known for his work on The Shape of Water, Guardians of the Galaxy among many others.
This was then implemented into creature FX design by the talented folks at RussellFX. Safety was of utmost importance on set. Along with DP Evan Butka, we crafted a unique look and hot color palette that was also adhered to in the production design, done by Brad A. Kinnan. Every frame has red, yellow, and orange, only incorporating cool colors when water is near. THIRST was filmed in a single day and our post-production process took about three weeks, virtually. I edited the film along with Brian “Buddha” Pratt, and we were blessed with a horrifying yet beautifully melancholic score by Andy Forsberg. The color was pushed and finessed by Gabriel Sanchez, a colorist also based in SoCal and our sound design by Ben Tomastik took the visuals into a rich auditory environment. Above all, my entire team focused on evoking a feeling and giving the most room for the characters’ emotions to have a journey.
Festival Preparation & Strategy?
Stefan Dezil (SD): My team and I are alumni of Hollyshorts and were ecstatic to return to premiere THIRST this year as part of the opening night lineup. PR has been provided by our executive producers at 88th Street Productions as well as the team at 20th Digital Studio and Hulu.
The Release?
SD: Hulu released THIRST in their Bite-Size Halloween series on October 21st, 2020.
Advice from the Filmmaker?
SD: Do as much testing and prep before going into your shoot day, try to do as much as you can in-camera (there were no VFX used in the making of THIRST), and hone in on the emotional arc of your story. Stay busy and be able to adapt, no matter what.
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