“Pink Shorts” is a fable about a little girl, her favorite pair of pink shorts, and the judgment of Almighty GOD. It was the context of the fable genre that inspired the decision to make it in French. Fables are meant to be timeless stories, and the romantic flavor of old European languages best suits that timelessness. Given that ours is entirely narrated made the decision easier, to be sure, and once we found native Parisian Stephane Cornicard (through Voices.com) to be our voice talent, we knew we had made the right artistic choice.

Juliette Jobe in Pink Shorts

But it wasn’t just old European fables that inspired our aesthetic approach; it was modern ones, too, like Amelie, Pan’s Labyrinth, and others. Distinct among them is a rich visual palette – a challenge for a low budget short. Using a P+S Technik mini-35mm adaptor with Zeis Prime super speed lenses, director of photography Sam J. Stanton was able to create a cinematic quality for a film shot entirely on a Panasonic HVX-200 HD camera. In crafting many of the film’s luminous visuals, Sam employed a variety of Tungsten lamps, daylight-corrected 5K’s and a few Kino Flo’s.

Given our limited funds, we had to restrict our shoot days (and rental of the 2.5 ton Arri grip truck) to two. Again we used the fable-style to our advantage as many of the “locations” seen throughout were in-studio green screen shots composited in post-production with VFX-enhanced photograph plates in Adobe After Effects. These shots (along with all others) were then given a saturated vibrancy with treatment in Apple’s “Color” for Color Timing.

Jeffrey Huston wtih Juliette Jobe

Or to put it another way, her performance couldn’t be a job she executed for me; it had to be an extension of the friendship we already had and the fun we were already having. And believe me, every time I needed her to focus for that sixth or seventh take and really deliver, every extra effort to be Juliette Jobe’s friend was suddenly worth it.

Juliette Jobe as Girl

Of course the final aspect that probably piques the most questions is the whole “and the judgment of Almighty GOD” element. Loosely inspired by the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, “Pink Shorts” tells a story of how GOD uses a faithful girl to bring an important message to the people of a local church. It was a story born of my disappointments with fellow Christians (as well as myself) regarding the hypocrisies we often settle for in our lives. Some are minor, many are major, and on occasion they make headlines. While many Christians believe those public exposures are attacks, Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah tells us that they are orchestrated by GOD Himself.

Indeed, the Bible’s most challenging passages are aimed not at the unbeliever but rather the person who claims to believe yet lives a lie in secret. For the Christian, “Pink Shorts” is a little wake-up call. For the unbeliever who is angered, disillusioned or saddened by such examples, it is a Scripturally-based story that confirms GOD agrees with you and expects more from those who proclaim to follow Him.

Yet despite the intentionally-provocative opening, ultimately “Pink Shorts” is not a tale about a God that demands perfection but rather One that requires integrity. That distinction is significant for anyone who is trying to practice whatever it is that they preach. To live a life of integrity is not to live a perfect one; it is simply to live openly and honestly (flaws and all), even – or especially – when we struggle to live up to our own ideals, and to extend grace to others when they fall short of their own. And how best do we do that? Simple – by having the faith of a child.

"Pink Shorts" plays Wed as part of the Anthology Film Archives'  New Filmmaker's Series. For a complete schedule events, visit AFA. To see and read more about "Pink Shorts" including a 1-minute trailer, you can visit the film's official web site at www.pinkshortsmovie.com.

Jeffrey Huston with Juliette Jobe in front of green screen