What I Learned:

Firstly, I learned that my friends are invaluable and incredibly talented. From the intricate costume designs reflecting each character to the detailed cinematography movement to capture emotional weight- I am so proud of my peers and invigorated by their joy to create on-set.

Some of our biggest challenges were pretty obvious. We were attempting a crazy laser-tag battle royale movie, with arms flying off, blood splattering, laser-weapons blasting- it appeared IMPOSSIBLE on an almost zero student budget. But, soon, calls after calls at laser-tag emporiums, and with SFX designers, and weeks of planning, everything could come together. Each decision: the type of clay on the face-burn of Ricky, contributed to the heightened realism of the script. We were shooting a lot of late nights, with some students, some working professionals in the industry, but I learned that the ‘vibe’ on-set is a make-or-break. We always had fun snacks or music, and overall, everyone was happy to be there by creating a fun environment where anyone could creatively contribute.

I also learned the importance of a good story; often, in this short, I got caught up in the spectacle: the stunts, explosions, lasers, the neon, A24-esque lighting. And, I lost the character’s motivations abandonded a sheer focus on performances, which cost me in the final edit. Next time I will make sure to budget more time to experimenting with actors and assuring the plot is easier to follow. And the next film I write, I will make sure every line, beat, and action serves a critical purpose to further the story. However, the themes of Trigger Happy (hyper-competition, violence propagation through the internet) still greatly impacted every Gen Z-er on this set, and thus, it became very easy to build a dedicated, large local crew.

This is the first time I ever acted as the lead and directed simultaneously- and wow- it was a challenge! My executive producer, and later co-director, Brandon Melo, got incredible performances out of me, and I managed the other actors. But the biggest thing I did well was knowing this script like the back of my hand. I memorized every character’s lines by heart, and all the shots, shot types, and lighting setups; if anyone had a question, I was prepared. This was immensely helpful, and I’ll be bringing this mindset to my future projects as it saved so much time.

Editing this film was also a beast. I learned the importance of organization in post-production: properly managing media, syncing audio, maintaining clean project structures, and developing an efficient workflow. I also pushed myself far outside my comfort zone by teaching myself visual effects. Creating the laser sequences required extensive compositing, motion tracking, relighting, and experimentation to blend practical and digital elements seamlessly. Beyond VFX, I explored new AI-assisted workflows for concept development, stream-interface design, and audience-simulation tools. Most importantly, I learned that technology is only valuable when it serves the story. Every new tool—from AI image generation to advanced compositing techniques—was most effective when used to strengthen the audience's emotional experience rather than simply showcase a technical effect. I am excited to continue exploring emerging technologies and discovering how they can support stronger visual storytelling.

Ultimately, Trigger Happy gave me confidence that ambitious ideas are worth pursuing, even when they initially seem impossible. What began as a concept that felt far beyond the scope of a student production became a completed film through persistence, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. More than anything, this project reminded me that the most rewarding experiences often come from taking risks.