Sometimes knocking on a door can change your life, as evidenced in Workday.

Synopsis

On his way to his wannabe-film-industry job, Jason stops by an acquaintance’s door to return her lost camera. When she offers him a ride to work and invites him inside the day takes an unexpected twist.

Review

Our Finite Films week concludes by going back to the beginning with Workday. This little gem has no fancy CGI, and frankly it doesn’t need it.

The story opens with Jason (Dan Beckner) dropping off a camera left by Lydia (Sophie Green), a waitress at a local caf&0039; who happens to be living in the same apartment building. She invites him in under the pretense that she has a car and will give him a ride to Burbank for his job.

We find that Lydia’s much more of a free spirit as shown by her d&0039;cor and admission there is nothing in particular she wants to do with her life, except wait tables to save money for a trip to Paris. Although there’s no real reason for her to go there.

We find Jason is disillusioned with where he’s at. He moved to L.A. to make movies only to find himself swallowed up by the system and not happy with the work he’s doing on a reality TV show. It’s something many of us can relate to, not liking where we’re at. No matter where he goes, Jason isn’t happy, in direct contrast to Lydia’s being anywhere is “where she needs to be”.

The ending brings everything together between the two character’s opposing viewpoints on life. Even in 8 minutes we get treated to a complete character arc in both Jason and Lydia.

It’s a sweet two-person piece that doesn’t get too saccharine for my tastes. Even though this is early on in the Finite Films history, it shows that the people in front of and behind the camera are competent at story, shot composition, and sound.

I hope they keep making more films into the foreseeable future. If you’re curious, check out their links below and give them some love.

What did you think of Workday? Leave a comment below.

Information

Genre: Drama
Country: United States
Release Year: 2011
Runtime: 8 mins, 36 secs.
Written by: Alex Calleros
Directed by: Michael Tucker
Cast: Dan Beckner, Sophie Green

YouTube Channel: finitefilms
Facebook: FiniteFilms
Official Website: Finite-Films.com
Twitter: @finite_films