Composure. It’s an element often absent from short films. Flair and innovation usually abound in shorts but when the razzle dazzle dims, the cracks are all too revealing. Yet composure is a word that burns throughout Floppy D. Director Logan Leikam showcases himself as someone who can handle subversion, innovation, humour and narrative with aplomb. In a story that foretells the impending doom of dating technology, there’s a high risk of his craft being subdued by the short’s message. The average Joe is more than aware they spend too much time connected to, and dependent upon, their technology. To deliver that idea once again is to preach to a now disdainful choir.

This is where the quality of a director becomes so important. Floppy D‘s strength comes from its confidence in its own skin. Aware enough to avoid the obvious pitfalls of above, Leikman is able to bring the flair, moving his short into dark and subversive waters; the nods to The Twilight Zone and Black Mirror are well judged throughout. Bigger than this, there’s no element of Floppy D that feels rushed or unprepared. The jokes hit their mark, the subversion is well realised and committed to, and the plot never outlasts its welcome. This composure allows all the elements to sing as individuals and harmonise perfectly.

These positive elements are several in numbers too. Josh Young’s strong black and white camera work stamps the short with a clear tone of voice: noir–ish, engaging and innovative. Matching the strong visuals, Seth Earnest delivers the audio goods. His unsettling, inventive, discombobulating score is quirky and actually quite fun. Chris Mast and co. all deliver strong performances making the constructed dialogue feel wholly natural within this world. Floppy D is a great calling card for everybody involved.

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INFORMATION

CAST: Chris Mast, Josh Cheney, Rachel Staman, John Harvey Johnson, and Jennifer Radelet

DIRECTOR: Logan Leikam

WRITERS: Chris Mast & Logan Leikam

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Josh Young

EDITORS: Frank McGrath, Josh Young

SYNOPSIS: Cyber-bachelor Dale Daniels (Chris Mast) realizes his favourite erotic photo was stolen from his DateQuest account. As he embarks on a journey to reclaim his identity, everything crumbles exposing how truly disconnected and alone he is.