‘The Audition Stage’, directed and written by George Nelson, is a six-minute drama film that portrays the daunting task of an aspiring dancer hoping to land a role in a dance company. Rachel Bex delivers a raw and compelling performance, yet melancholically portraying the protagonist struggling to cope with anxiety in the company of a formidable judge, portrayed by Gary Robson. The film’s background music is fittingly synchronized and add some excitement to the audition, making it imbued with a dose of competition reality.

The cinematography of ‘The Audition Stage’ by Jamie Blake is impressive, with neat techniques and admirable framing. The film’s visual appeal aid in driving tension and anticipation throughout, with some angles and perspectives of the dance transcending beautifully against a backdrop of dramatic lighting.

On the downside, while the short film is well crafted, the emotional depth remains hollow. Also, without any dialogue, the cinematic storytelling ends up feeling a bit flat, lacking in some areas. The drama, set in Middlesbrough, England, is by design a low budget production, with a lean cast and effective set pieces. Despite its shortcomings, the performances were indeed impressive, and, overall, ‘The Audition Stage’ is a decent watch, serving up a unique approach to dance drama worth checking out.