Echoes of the Corridor

New York City, New York | Film Short

Drama, Shorts Program

Dannie Zhao

1 Campaigns | New York, United States

Green Light

This campaign raised $11,430 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.

16 supporters | followers

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This short film is one of NYU's inaugural Master's in Virtual Production program final projects. It explores how virtual production technology elevates emotional narratives. Your support will help us get 1 step closer to making this film happen!

About The Project

  • The Story
  • Wishlist
  • Updates
  • The Team
  • Community

Mission Statement

Our mission is to use virtual production technology to tell a deeply emotional story. The project aims to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling, offering a unique and immersive experience that goes beyond blockbuster conventions.

The Story


Overview

This film explores themes of love, memory, and emotional awakening. When David, a man detached from his own emotions, meets Eva, an enigmatic figure whose questions challenge his reality, he is thrust into a transformative mental journey. Eva’s questions force him to confront his past and begin to unravel the deep-seated fear of vulnerability that has shaped his cold, disconnected existence. Through an intricate blend of surreal visual storytelling and evocative dialogue, this film navigates the complex terrain of self-awareness and emotional growth, leading David to an unexpected realization: his longing for love.


Logline

A detached man, haunted by painful memories, reconciles with his past through a mental surreal journey.


Synopsis

David, a driven 35-year-old entrepreneur, is approached by Eva, a photographer working on a project about people. As she takes his picture, they engage in a conversation, where Eva asks David a series of personal questions. When she asks about his biggest fear, David hesitates, leading him into a surreal, dream-like, mental journey. He begins to relive fragmented memories from his past, including his childhood, his dreams, and his failed relationship with Suzanne, a girl he once loved but lost due to his inability to listen to people. The mental surreal journey reveals David's internal conflict: his desire of love and his fear of losing himself in the process. His greatest fear, he realizes, is not failure but the inability to love and find inner peace within himself. In the final moments, David, sitting with Eva in a park, shares his newfound understanding, admitting that his biggest dream is simply to have a family.  




David (35-38)

Male lead. A charismatic but emotionally distant Tech CEO. Bitterness from a failed college love affair has prevented him from finding love. Reluctant to confront his own sadness, David has built a wall around his heart.


Eva (30)

Supporting role. A confident young professional photographer. She is curious about people and unafraid to delve into the emotional depths of those around her, sensing things that others cannot. Eva’s perceptive questions trigger a re-evaluation of David's life.


Mother (50s)

Supporting role. David’s loving and over-protective mother. She raised him alone and never let him out of her sight.  She is loving, but doesn’t listen well – for her, “everything will be fine”, even when it might not be. Food is her parental love language.


Suzanne (20)

Supporting role. David’s college girlfriend. Broke up with David in the library during Junior year. Though she loved him, she felt unheard. She was a pre-med student and an only child, raised by her widower father. Her father’s illness required her attention.


Welcome to join our journey!


This project is the culmination of our passion for storytelling and our pursuit of mastering virtual production technology. As students in NYU's inaugural Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Master's Program, we are honoured to be part of history as the first class to create films in this groundbreaking facility. This unique opportunity allows us to set the standard, make our mark, and pave the way for future filmmakers. We hope to inspire generations of students to explore the endless possibilities of virtual production and storytelling in this program. Access to a virtual production stage, typically used for high-budget films, allows us to merge live-action and digital environments seamlessly, bringing an unparalleled level of depth and realism to our storytelling. 


This isn’t just a thesis—it’s a chance to innovate, learning hands-on with tools that are reshaping the industry. By utilizing this advanced stage, we’re not only telling a powerful story but also preparing ourselves to be part of the future of filmmaking. Your support will help us bring this vision to life, from building authentic sets to achieving the technical precision that virtual production demands. Join us in shaping the future of filmmaking—together, we can make this project unforgettable!



WHY US? WHY THIS? WHY NOW?


Our team is uniquely positioned to bring this story to life, thanks to our diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to storytelling. As students in NYU Tisch’s inaugural Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Master’s Program, we bring together expertise in production management, 3D design, VFX and Virtual Production, creating a dynamic collaboration where every perspective enhances the story. Most importantly, as students together, we aim to learn together! With our unique blend of creative and technical expertise, we are not only breaking boundaries but also ensuring that this project reflects the depth and richness it deserves. We've got one chance together to use this virtual production stage to craft a story and we want to make the most of it!



What your contributions mean to us! 


Your support fuels every aspect of this film, from the on-screen details to the people behind the scenes. Pledges will go toward creating authentic set decorations, costumes, makeup, and props that are essential to immersing the audience in this story. 


Beyond the visuals, your contributions allow us to hire key crew members who bring their expertise and passion to the project. We also prioritize taking care of our hardworking team—your generosity helps us provide meals, snacks, and essentials to keep everyone energized, happy, and focused on delivering their best work. 


Every dollar you give directly impacts the quality of this production and the experience of everyone involved. Your support doesn’t just create a film—it creates a community. Thank you for helping us bring this vision to life!


Thank you!


Thank you for believing in us and in Echoes of the Corridor. Your support means the world to us and allows us to share our passion and vision with you. This film is a labor of love, and we couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for being part of our journey!


Wishlist

Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.

Catering

Costs $2,500

Catering and food is pivotal in keeping our cast and crew fuelled to make the production happy! Help us feed our hard working team!

Production Design

Costs $2,500

Props & set decs! We want to bring this story to life in the best way possible, and that starts with the on set decs & props!

Makeup Artist & kit

Costs $1,000

A makeup artist is crucial to create realistic & convincing characters for our story!

Production Insurance

Costs $1,500

Insurance can help mitigate delays or disruptions caused by crew injuries or incidents. Help us maintain the production timeline & budget!

Key Crew Members

Costs $2,500

While we have many volunteers, a few key positions we are getting professionals to take our film to the next level!

Wardrobes

Costs $500

Help us make our characters more believable!

Union Performers

Costs $2,000

Collaborating with union actors fosters a safe and efficient production environment, ensuring the success of the production.

Cash Pledge

Costs $0

About This Team

Dannie Zhao - Producer

Dannie is a creative producer with over 10 years of experience in film production, including two years in the VFX industry across all departments of the pipeline. Passionate about storytelling through audio-visual media, Dannie is a strong leader with excellent team support and motivation skills. With extensive knowledge of production software and tools, Dannie brings both creativity and technical proficiency to every project.


Nargiza Iskakova - Producer

Nargiza is a creative professional with expertise in 3D design, motion graphics, and visual storytelling. Studied film directing at Kazakh National University of Arts, developing strong artistic and storytelling skills. Nargiza thrives on transforming complex ideas into engaging visual experiences. 


Ted Barnett - Virtual Production Supervisor

Ted is an experienced entrepreneur and software developer with a focus on leading technical and creative teams. Skilled in 3D tools and real-time rendering, he brings strong technical leadership to complex, immersive projects.


Anna Filonenko - Production Designer

Committed to the creation of experiences that inspire inner growth, love, and peace, Anna has a background in both art curation and filmmaking. She holds a B.A. in Art History from New York University, which has informed her taste for visual excellence and attention to detail. 


Yuki Tang - Virtual Art Director

Yuki is passionate about science fiction film research, enjoys photography and new media art. Currently excited about using Unreal Engine for her creations! She hopes to craft a distinctive visual world with her teammates.


Tom Chung - Cinematographer & Editor

Tom comes from the VP Industry in Korea and is excited to put new stories on the volume. Interest revolves around film technology, virtual cinematography, rituals, and game design.

Current Team

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