Choose is a suspense-driven dramedy that explores chance, morality, and the impossible weight of choice. Written as my first original narrative short film, the story follows a couple whose ordinary evening is shattered when a mysterious woman confronts them with an absurd yet terrifying ultimatum: one of them must die. Unable to make the decision themselves, they surrender their fate to the flip of a coin—leaving the audience with one haunting question: What happens when chance decides who lives and who dies?

Produced during an overnight shoot in Los Angeles, the film was built around creating tension within a single location through performance, lighting, cinematography, and pacing. Inspired in part by the unforgettable coin-toss sequence in No Country for Old Men, Choose reimagines the concept through an original narrative that balances psychological suspense with moments of dark humor. Practical lighting, deliberate camera composition, and restrained production design work together to create an intimate atmosphere where every glance, pause, and movement carries weight.

The production also served as an opportunity to combine practical filmmaking techniques with invisible visual effects. A seamless digital coin replacement allowed for a dramatic slow-motion coin toss while maintaining realism, blending live-action photography with digital compositing to achieve an effect that would have been difficult to capture practically. Additional practical effects—including simulated muzzle flashes using synchronized lighting and pyrotechnic-style electric matches—were enhanced through sound design and post-production to create a grounded, cinematic finish. Every stage of post-production, including editing, color grading, sound design, and visual effects, was completed in-house, making Choose an important milestone in developing my narrative filmmaking voice.

The film was selected as a finalist in a film festival, marking an early recognition of the project's storytelling and craftsmanship. More importantly, Choose became the foundation for my approach to narrative filmmaking—demonstrating how compelling performances, thoughtful cinematography, and creative problem-solving can elevate a contained story into a cinematic experience.