Trailer video.

The Assignment

Our video production class assignment was to create a 10-minute movie with a complete story arc. But my team decided to take it to the next level. We wrote, recorded, and edited Florida Man in just two months — all during the extremely stressful finals season at our school.

Team Coordination and Challenges

Our production crew consisted of seven members, and we managed a cast of over 20 people. Organization was a monumental feat since everyone had different testing schedules. Despite these challenges, we found a way to pull everything together.

Ambition vs. Reality

Due to limited time and resources, we had to scale back on many of our screenplay’s original ambitions. However, the scrappiness of it all gives the final product a special charm. The constraints didn’t limit our creativity; they shaped it.

My Roles and Responsibilities

I took on multiple key roles throughout the project. I was the sole editor, responsible for piecing together the entire film. I also handled most of the camera work and directed many of the scenes. I still vividly remember staying up until 1 AM to finish editing the last scene before presenting it to the class — a truly thrilling experience.

Creative Decisions on the Fly

We made many spontaneous decisions during production. One standout example was the inclusion of an implied gay relationship as a parody of Disney’s inclusivity initiatives. What started as a short joke evolved into an influential romantic subplot between J’maes Polk (a name inspired by a typo) and Kermit Hoover.

The Influence of APUSH and Rebellion

Much of the movie’s content was inspired by what we were learning in AP U.S. History (APUSH). In fact, many creative decisions were made solely to spite our teacher, adding a rebellious flair to the project. This blend of humor, satire, and historical references made Florida Man truly unique.

Looking Back

There’s so much more I could share about the production process. If you have any questions or want to know more about our journey, feel free to reach out!

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