Making Pop Rocks

In February of 2023, Allison Felty and I sat down to write something outside of our usual genres. We wanted to challenge ourselves creatively and that decision pushed us to grow in ways we didn’t expect.

Once the script was finished, we jumped into production with an incredible cast and crew. Allison took on the lead role of Mildred, alongside Annie Brown as Ava and Matthew Dennis as Mildred’s brother. With a team of passionate people behind and in front of the camera, we brought Pop Rocks to life creating something we’ve revisited often with pride.

We finished production in October, 2023 and premiered it shortly after to our friends and family. It became a fan favorite almost immediately, and it was also our first short to be accepted into a film festival under a general submission slot. Seeing it on the big screen for the first time was a blast and a milestone we’ll never forget.

We can’t wait to return to this genre again in the future.

Premiere Night

The premiere for Pop Rocks was a night we’ll never forget. It was cold and rainy, and for a moment we debated whether or not to cancel but we decided to push through and go for it.

We held the screening in a barn that was still under construction, which added to the charm in its own weird way. There were film-themed mocktails, muddy shoes, and a lot of laughter. Our close friends and family showed up to support us, and despite the weather and the unfinished space, the night felt special.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was real and it meant a lot to us.