Filmmaking Insights from the Creators of the Comedy Short Finesse

The independent short film Finesse stars a close-knit creative team—Abdul, Chad, and Steven—who recently sat down for an insightful conversation with Roselyn Omaka, the director of the Houston Comedy Film Festival. In this engaging interview, the filmmakers discussed their journey, the collaborative spirit behind their project, and shared practical advice for aspiring filmmakers.

Turning a Feature Script into a Short Film

Abdul, the creator of Finesse, began with a feature-length script but chose to rework it into a short film as a proof of concept. This strategic approach allowed the team to showcase the story’s humor, style, and potential in a manageable format.

Abdul explained, “I wanted to write a feature film that I could direct, like a very low-budget feature that’d be easy for production companies to do… to give it like an extra step forward, we made a short film out of it.”

This enabled them to present a compelling demonstration of their project’s potential aimed at attracting production companies and investors.

The Power of Team Chemistry and Improvisation

Chad, who plays Danny, highlighted the strong chemistry among the cast, which made filming enjoyable and authentic. Many jokes emerged spontaneously on set through improvisation, creating genuine comedic moments. Chad noted, “They really allowed me just to improvise on the day… a lot of those jokes were just things we came up with like on the day.” His longtime friendship with fellow cast members, such as Kearsten, helped foster natural interactions that translated well on screen, giving the film a genuine familial feel.

Tackling Challenges with Creative Solutions

Despite a smooth production, the team faced challenges. With only two days to shoot an extensive shot list in an older house, timing and logistics were difficult. Chad described the challenge of working with a child actor within the limited schedule: “I was trying to get to know him… Just trying to be like a big brother to him to get that chemistry going.” He emphasized the importance of bonding off-camera to foster natural performances.

Another unforgettable challenge involved the fragile porcelain egg prop, guarded vigilantly by the production designer to prevent damage—a humorous reminder of the care necessary when working with precious elements on set.

Technical Adaptations and Sound Management

Though all interior scenes were shot during the day, the cinematographer created convincing nighttime aesthetics by blocking out windows. The team creatively addressed creaky floorboards and other sound challenges, exemplifying their flexibility and resourcefulness in managing production quality.

Collaborative Directing with Effective Communication

Steven, co-director, shared how working on a film he hadn’t written presented initial challenges that were eased by Abdul’s clear vision: “He was very clear as to how he wanted this film to be pulled off.” The directors relied on honest, continuous communication. Abdul recounted a key moment facilitating complex shots: “I was behind the cinematographer tapping his shoulder every time the dialogue ended… It was like an improv on the moment that really saved the film.” The collaboration fostered confidence among cast and crew alike.

Filmmaking Advice from the Team

The Finesse team offered practical and inspiring advice for filmmakers. Steven summarized: “Just make the film. A lot of people will write scripts but won’t do anything with them.” Abdul encouraged embracing imperfection: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes… sometimes it takes a team to figure things out.” He also stressed the emotional core of filmmaking: “Have fun with it. If you’re not having fun, the quality of your movie is not going to be good.” He urged creators to

“make the movie that you want to see, that you want to go to the theater and see.”

Building a Lasting Legacy and Attracting Investors

A key goal for Abdul and his team is to earn the trust of investors to finance their feature projects. Abdul shared his ambition: “I want to make feature films playing in theaters all across the world. I’m going to make my own short films until someone sees my filmography and trusts me to make a feature.” This path highlights the importance of tangible proof of concept, like Finesse, as a strategy for attracting investment and enabling larger-scale productions.

Conclusion

Through their candid conversation with Roselyn Omaka, director of the Houston Comedy Film Festival, the creative minds behind Finesse demonstrate how strong team chemistry, clear communication, detailed preparation, and passion combine to produce a professional, heartfelt independent film. Their journey and strategic approach provide valuable inspiration for filmmakers aiming not only to create art but also to secure funding and reach wider audiences.