ShortFilmsMatter.com
ShortFilmsMatter.com
SUBMIT
submit

Talentless

Synopsis

When a new procedure is invented that can take one person’s talent and implant it into someone else, a struggling artist must decide if she should continue pursuing her dreams or sell her talent to the highest bidder.

Review

5/5
A sci-fi drama that delves into personal ambition, self-sacrifice, grief and motherhood.
Written and directed by Jeff Perreca, ‘Talentless’ is a short sci-fi drama that examines self-sacrifice, unsung talent, grief and motherhood. Shanica Knowles leads the cast as Lucy, a gifted singer/songwriter who finds herself pregnant and in bereavement over the loss of her partner. A poignant film that explores the brutality of rejection in the creative industry and the pessimism within aspiration.

The 15-minute drama opens with an infomercial about the Evans Institute – a company that can transfer talent from one individual to another. We are then introduced to Lucy (Shanica Knowles) and her soulful vocality. Grief-stricken by the death of her partner, Lucy finds her self pregnant and in a state of financial and emotional insecurity. During an unappreciated busking session, a passer-by allocates her a leaflet to the Evans Institute – which she considers after an unkind rejection from a music mogul. Lucy subsequently meets Brenda (Raquel Gardner), an affluent housewife who wishes to buy Lucy’s talent for her teenage daughter. Their conversation is guided by the personal sacrifice of motherhood. Brenda offers Lucy an undisclosed, albeit substantial sum of money. Lucy has a vital decision to make.

Talentless Short Film e1664140326986
Jeff Perreca and his team have created a spectacular film that is filled to the brim with sentimentality. Shanica Knowles’ performance is highly commendable and deserves much acclaim. Her catchy vocal performance of the soundtrack ‘Bought Me Out’ will stay with the viewer long after the closing credits. The entire cast deliver respectable portrayals throughout, notably from Knowles and Raquel Gardner. Cinematography and production design is of an industry standard that will keep viewers engaged with the narrative. Sound and post-production are equally noteworthy. A near-perfect short film. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Jeff Perreca
Writer(s): Jeff Perreca
Cast: Katie Enright, Raquel Gardner, Reign Morton, Shanica Knowles
Producer(s): Anissa Williams, Jeff Perreca
Director of Photography: Russell Kawaguchi
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 15 min

Recommended

5/5

Youth

It’s a Friday night in the summer of 98′. For two teen girls, tonight is everything. Because tomorrow, it all changes….
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 14 min
3/5

Remember Me

The film follows the life of a caring wife, loving mother, and irreplaceable grandmother. Focused on her battle with Alzheimer’s its purpose is to…
  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
  • 48 min
4/5

Private Life

Private investigator, Ray, is offered a job to catch a wealthy real estate agent’s husband cheating. However, accepting this assignment creates doubts about his…
  • Drama, Mystery
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 22 min
3/5

I Love You, Maria

Sofia and Daniel are the perfect couple. Both are budding professional photographers, living their dream in blissful success, loving it, and loving each other…
  • Drama, Romance
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 32 min
4/5

Kate

A woman get abducted at a bar and gains the upper hand in the end, with a twist….
  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
  • 2021
  • 12 min
5/5

Dark Justice

Justine hosts a popular radio talk show, getting the latest breaking news. The discussion of the day is child abuse. Are we doing enough…
  • Drama
  • United Kingdom
  • 2022
  • 13 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): Jeff Perreca
Writer(s): Jeff Perreca
Cast: Katie Enright, Raquel Gardner, Reign Morton, Shanica Knowles
Producer(s): Anissa Williams, Jeff Perreca
Director of Photography: Russell Kawaguchi
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre: ,
Subjects: , , , , , , , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2020
Runtime: 15 min

Recommended

5/5

Dear Mama…

  • Drama
  • United States
  • 2022
The death of Tupac draws different reactions from a father and his young daughter, forcing them to confront the emotional aftermath of their own tragedy….
3/5

Hold the Ball

  • Drama, Fantasy
  • Israel
  • 2021
A sleep deprived mother grabs the ball, taking a fast break from her screaming baby….

Talentless

Synopsis

When a new procedure is invented that can take one person’s talent and implant it into someone else, a struggling artist must decide if she should continue pursuing her dreams or sell her talent to the highest bidder.

Review

A sci-fi drama that delves into personal ambition, self-sacrifice, grief and motherhood.

5/5
Written and directed by Jeff Perreca, ‘Talentless’ is a short sci-fi drama that examines self-sacrifice, unsung talent, grief and motherhood. Shanica Knowles leads the cast as Lucy, a gifted singer/songwriter who finds herself pregnant and in bereavement over the loss of her partner. A poignant film that explores the brutality of rejection in the creative industry and the pessimism within aspiration.

The 15-minute drama opens with an infomercial about the Evans Institute – a company that can transfer talent from one individual to another. We are then introduced to Lucy (Shanica Knowles) and her soulful vocality. Grief-stricken by the death of her partner, Lucy finds her self pregnant and in a state of financial and emotional insecurity. During an unappreciated busking session, a passer-by allocates her a leaflet to the Evans Institute – which she considers after an unkind rejection from a music mogul. Lucy subsequently meets Brenda (Raquel Gardner), an affluent housewife who wishes to buy Lucy’s talent for her teenage daughter. Their conversation is guided by the personal sacrifice of motherhood. Brenda offers Lucy an undisclosed, albeit substantial sum of money. Lucy has a vital decision to make.

Talentless Short Film e1664140326986
Jeff Perreca and his team have created a spectacular film that is filled to the brim with sentimentality. Shanica Knowles’ performance is highly commendable and deserves much acclaim. Her catchy vocal performance of the soundtrack ‘Bought Me Out’ will stay with the viewer long after the closing credits. The entire cast deliver respectable portrayals throughout, notably from Knowles and Raquel Gardner. Cinematography and production design is of an industry standard that will keep viewers engaged with the narrative. Sound and post-production are equally noteworthy. A near-perfect short film. Highly recommended.

Recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Short Films Matter is an online short film platform that reviews independent short films from across the globe.

We are proud to feature the work of up-and-coming talent as well as established filmmakers.

Unlike other curated short film platforms, we never reject short films. All films submitted are guaranteed to be showcased on our website.

 

You can submit your short film for review using our submission form. Our submission fee is $50. 

Any submissions received via email or social media will be not be accepted.

No. Short Films Matter is a short film platform that reviews and promotes short films via our website and social media. We do not hold live screening events or competitions.

All short films on our platform are publicly available. Filmmakers can request we showcase a trailer instead.

If you would like to make any changes to your review page/or request deletion, you can do so via email.

1. All short films must be publicly hosted on YouTube or Vimeo. If your short film is currently in a festival season. you can submit a trailer. This can be and changed later once your festival season has concluded.

2. Short Films must be 40 minutes or less.

3. You can submit a film that was produced/released in any year, country or language.

4. We accept all types of short films, including: Action, Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental, Horror, LGBTQ+, Music, Mystery, Sci-Fi and Thriller.

5. We do not refund submissions.

6. Subtitles are required if the film is not in the English language.

© 2023 Short Films Matter

Instagram Envelope