It began with a simple question: What would I give up to achieve success in our industry? Though perhaps I wouldn’t go as far as what unfolds in the film, this story was a way for me to delve into my (an artist’s) ambitions.

"The Curtain Call" follows an up-and-coming young actor, Harrison Monroe, who has a path to greatness laid out in front of him. He resembles the journey of an aspiring artist. It’s all there for the taking, but at what cost?

I feel that everyone loves a story about the dark side of fame. We’ve seen media depictions of its highs and lows, from tabloid scandals to social media turmoil. But there aren’t many stories that do a deep dive into the machinery behind the spotlight. So I wanted this film to peel back the polish-ness of Hollywood to reveal an unsettling truth: that success and fame is rarely earned without sacrifice, and often, it’s someone else who pays the price.  

The film is purposely told non-linearly. Through Harrison’s perspective, this was done to show his back-and-forth on his lack of commitment to Jackson. Visually, I wanted the film to reflect the tension with frames that are always on the move, the lighting is dramatic, with contrasts and harsh spotlights to showcase the glare of fame and the shadows of corruption behind it.

Even though the story is set in our modern entertainment industry, I wanted it to avoid being overly grounded in the present. Subtle details of modern celebrity culture; such as paparazzi, influencer aesthetics, and media manipulation will provide context without overshadowing the universal themes of power and morality.

This is a story about more than just the lives of the rich and successful. It’s about the universal human need for validation and the destructive lengths people will go to attain it.

As for me? I’ll pursue the arts—if greatness comes along, then great.