SLURP is a surreal take on that split-second moment during a date when someone does one tiny thing, and suddenly you’re hunting for red flags. I wanted to personify that instant shift in perception, that internal dissociation, and how quickly we can go from being open and curious to critical and closed off.

Director’s Vision for ‘Slurp’

Dating is full of split-second judgments. SLURP originated from observing (and experiencing) that internal pivot: when one small, off-putting gesture (like obnoxiously slurping a drink) flips the switch from curiosity to critique. It’s a profoundly human instinct designed to protect us from vulnerability by turning on hypervigilance.

The short takes a surreal, comedic lens on that moment of dissociation when discomfort triggers retreat. We shot the film in a single day, with a small cast and crew, and leaned into the limitations by using practical effects. Blue light saturation and extreme close-ups show the emotional distance without relying on dialogue.

SLURP is a comedy, but it’s also a mirror. I’ve done this on every first date. The moment I emotionally detach, the other person might as well be Charlie Brown’s teacher. I hope that the film resonates with anyone who’s ever let a first impression overshadow a deeper connection.