After her popular ex-boyfriend dumps her, a striving social climber tries to get back at him by joining the Dungeons and Dragons club…and dating his twin brother.

“Nerd Associaion” is a 35-minute romcom I was selected to direct as part of the University of Michigan’s largest production class, FTVM 423. The script, written by screenwriting major Elle Pugh, was selected as one of two to be produced that year.

Shoot Duration: 17 Days

Genre(s): Romantic Comedy, Y2K Rom-Com, 80s love letter

Awards/Screenings:

Culver City Film Festival - December 2024

Screened at Michigan Theater - May 2024

“Best of Fest” at UMich Student Film Festival - April 2024

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credits

Written by: Elle Pugh

Directed by: Ella McKenzie

Produced by: Maggie Granata

Director of Photograhy: MJ Johnson

Starring: Molly Cesanek as Shona, Mikey Fabisch as Abel, Logan Gray Saad as Faye, Luke Kolbe Mannikus as Graham, Caleb White as Eliot, and Nicole Forester (Batman v. Superman) as Michelle.

Executive Producers: Jim Burnstein (D3: The Mighty Ducks) and Robert Rayher

Music by: Henry Crater

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Check out some on-set stills below captured by Stefan Petrmichl | ashtewan.com