Stuffy – A Whimsical Family Adventure Filmed in an Afternoon

July 18, 2023

I’m excited to share a family project we recently finished: our short film, “Stuffy.” I made it with my daughter, Ava, and the process ended up being a fun experience for all of us.

To clarify up front, “Stuffy” is a satirical mockumentary. Ava plays a slightly exaggerated version of herself, and she is not actually afraid of stuffed animals. We thought the idea would make for a light, humorous story, and she was completely on board.

Ava took the role seriously and had a great time acting out the character’s fake fears. It was enjoyable to watch her commit to the part and help shape the tone of the film.

We shot the entire project in one afternoon, relying only on natural light. Filming near sunset gave us a limited window to get everything done, so we had to work quickly and adjust as the lighting changed. It made the process a bit challenging, but it also kept things simple and spontaneous.

Because it was a family production, we didn’t follow a strict schedule. We tried ideas as they came up and kept the atmosphere relaxed. That flexibility helped us capture moments that felt genuine and added to the humor of the film.

Putting “Stuffy” together reminded us how enjoyable it is to create something as a family. The project gave us a chance to collaborate, laugh, and make something we’re proud of.

“Stuffy” is a satirical look at childhood fears and imagination, and we hope it brings some laughs when we share it. Thanks for following along with our little filmmaking adventure. More updates will be coming soon.