Imposter syndrome just got real…
Things quickly spiral out of control when two women begin to exhibit symptoms of a mysterious disease.
Part comedy, part drama, part sci-fi disaster movie (with splashes of dance and experimental film), CopyCataclysm is a short-and-sweet genre hybrid that elicits laughs from the audience while they’re watching, then leaves them with plenty to think about on the drive home.
Director’s Note
At first glance, CopyCataclysm may not seem like much more than a comedy sketch with good production value—and it is unapologetically that—but balanced with the simplicity of the gag you see on the surface, a deeper meaning lies beneath. A prominent visual motif of the film is duality, and the contrast between two binaries; the women in the film are two equal-but-opposite forces coexisting in the same space, pushing and pulling against each other, so its quite fitting that the film itself is a binary: both simple and complex.
CopyCataclysm is an examination of how such coexistence can fester into codependency, how people can lose their individual sense of self and fuse together into a new third personality. One day they look at themselves and they no longer recognize where they end and their partner begins; they get into arguments in which they’re both saying the same thing and yet can’t seem to hear each other; they begin to wonder if their interests are actually their own interests, or if they’ve merely adopted their partner's hobbies.
However, on the other side of this loss of self, is something beautiful: someone who completely understands you inside and out, who goes through everything by your side and can be of comfort in times of crisis. Is this kind of codependency toxic? Or is surrendering one's individuality worth the emotional security and companionship that comes along with it? The film makes no judgements; in the end it’s up for the audience to decide whether the glass is half shattered or half intact.
— Joe Rechtman
CAST
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Anna K. Long is an LA-based filmmaker, choreographer, and Certified Gaga teacher. Anna started her dance career in earnest at three years old, when, after watching a beat up VHS of Mikhail Baryshnikov's nutcracker, she took a solemn vow to never sit still again. Twenty years, one liberal arts degree, and many dance classes later, Anna became certified as a Gaga teacher in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since 2013 Anna has made and performed works as an independent choreographer in New York, Chicago, Denver, and Stuttgart.
Anna began work as a writer and director in 2021, happily playing in the drama, experimental, and horror genre sandboxes. Since 2023, she also volunteers as a screener for the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival and produces classes and public Gaga Activities in Southern California.
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Nayomi Van Brunt is an LA-based dancer, model, and actress who began her artistic journey in classical ballet in Atlanta. After high school, she joined Atlanta Ballet and quickly made a name for herself with prestigious companies like L.A. Dance Project and New York Theatre Ballet. Her performances have captivated audiences worldwide, from Paris’ La Seine Musicale to the Sydney Opera House, where she starred as Juliet in Benjamin Millepied’s Romeo & Juliet Suite.
Nayomi has also made waves in the fashion world, modeling for top brands such as Hermes and Rodarte, and appearing in campaigns for Everlane and St. John. She has dazzled at high-profile events like Bulgari’s Shanghai gala and on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon with singer Remi Wolf.
Her passion for character development in dance naturally led her to embrace acting. Recently, she has been featured in two short films. Nayomi is excited to explore new roles and continue captivating audiences with her unique blend of creativity and charisma.
CREW
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Director, Writer, Producer
Joe Rechtman grew up in Ossining, NY where his proximity to the Jacob Burns Film Center provided an opportunity to study filmmaking at an early age. Writing his first feature screenplays in high school, he then went to Boston to attend Emerson College, where he earned his B.F.A. in film production.
Moving out to Los Angeles in 2011, Joe has been working in the entertainment industry ever since. He is the screenwriter of three feature films—HONOR STUDENT (2023), RESURRECTED (2023), and UNBORN (2022)—and is the director of several short films.
Joe is also the writer of the FORGOTTEN RUNES: WIZARDS CULT comic book published by Titan Comics and based on the popular video game franchise. The first five issues of the comic are due to be published together in a trade paperback edition this October.
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Director of Photography
Pascal Combes-Knoke, a French-American dual citizen, lives in Malibu Lake, CA. He studied film theory at the University of Pennsylvania and film production at Chapman University. Then back to L.A. as a Steadicam operator, he soon followed his call to become a full-time IATSE DP. He wakes up every morning to make people feel something using images. He is emotionally attracted most to characters of conflict who we empathize with against all odds; with visual language gravitating toward French impressionistic naturalism. Pascal loves Arri color science and owns both Alexa 35 and Alexa Mini LF. Hey loves to play guitar, drums, chess, and mountain bikes as much as he can.
Pascal just wrapped principal photography on DARKNESS OF MAN (starring Jean-Claude Van Damme) and will soon resume production on BOUNTY (starring Stephen Dorff, Ron Perlman) which took a brief hiatus over the New Year. Pascal is concurrently in development on serval exciting films to begin principal photography in 2023!
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Production Designer
Melissa Woods is a proud member of the Art Director's Guild, focusing on the integration of sustainability practices into storytelling. Her passion for creativity began as soon as she could use a hot glue gun. She spent her childhood constructing sets for marionettes and origami creatures using cardboard. This early enthusiasm for set building and storytelling led her to the prop department at UW-Milwaukee's Theatre program.
Throughout her career, Melissa held positions with esteemed organizations such as Hartford Stage Company, Yale Repertory Theatre and Yale Opera, where she excelled in prop construction and prop design. Evolving into an Art Director and Production Designer, she honed her skills in puppet building and set design, eventually earning her MFA from the University of Arizona in 2016. Building spaceships and eco-friendly stunt walls comes naturally to Melissa, having been creating elaborative environments her entire life. Collaborating with prominent directors like Alex Cox, Mädchen Amick, and Keith Powell, Melissa is renowned for her commitment to sustainability in the art department, emphasizing re-use, rentals, and waste reduction in every project she undertakes. She is an advocate for promoting a safe and positive work environment for all crew members.
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Editor
Scott Morris is a film editor with over 10 years experience. He has collaborated with directors James Gray, Adam McKay and Gareth Edwards. In 2022 he was named as one of Variety’s top 10 Artisans to watch. His most recent project, Gareth Edwards’ science fiction drama The Creator, was nominated for two Oscars. His last film, James Gray’s Armageddon Time was selected for competition at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. Before that he worked as an additional editor on Adam McKay’s film, Don’t Look Up. It was nominated for 4 Oscars, including Best Film Editing for Hank Corwin. He has previously worked with James Gray on Ad Astra and The Lost City of Z.
Scott is a graduate of Emerson College and represented by CAA.
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Sound
Dan Gamache is a sound designer and re-recording mixer whose credits include Joker: Folie à Deux (Warner Bros, 2024), Kung Fu Panda 4 (Dreamworks Animation, 2024), and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (Netflix, 2022).
He moved from Boston to Los Angeles in 2011. In between working on features, episodic series, and short films, he enjoys camping and sipping whiskey—often at the same time. Dan believes that some of the most creative aspects of storytelling can happen during the sound process. Although most of his time is spent at the mixing console, he still enjoys the thrill of recording a stunt plane buzzing the deck, or capturing the ferocious meow of his cat, Butch Cassidy.
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PRODUCER
Cara McKeownEXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Neal Rechtman
Marissa High
Devi Rawal
Caron ClanceyASSOCIATE PRODUCER
Daniel ChenowethASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Jake TopkisASSISTANT CAMERA
Max HarsantGAFFER
Joe WebbKEY GRIP
Thadd ResslerGRIPS
Chris Enciso
Guilherme IsidoroHAIR & MAKEUP
Jed OlmedoMOVEMENT DIRECTOR & STUNT CHOREOGRAPHER
Anna LongPROPS & STUNT COORDINATOR
Jere SalleeON-SET MEDIC
David FalickiMUSIC
Phil HamiltonADDITIONAL SOUND RECORDING
Matt LaCorteVFX ARTISTS
Nathan Firn
Auston RickettsCOLORIST
Roy SunSPECIAL THANKS
Abbie Rickard
Nancy Baron
Adam Toltzis
Michael Gray
Jared Kowalczyk
See the film
Upcoming Screenings
St. Aggie Shorts Film Festival
February 8th, @ 2:00pm
at the Lewis Auditorium
14 Granada St.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Click here to purchase tickets online
Zions Indie Film Fest
February 27th, @ 7:30pm
at the SCERA Center for the Arts
745 State Street
Orem, UT 84058
Click here to purchase tickets online
Join the mailing list to receive updates about screenings near you.
Or contact the filmmakers to inquire about arranging a private screening.