Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Omer Ben Shachar’s film explores loneliness and connection through the unique lens of a mostly non-verbal animatronic alien protagonist.
- The production embraced challenging creative choices—shooting on film, filming in the desert, and crafting a puppet lead—which deepened the film’s otherworldly feel.
- The filmmaker credits a dedicated, passionate team and the special effects collaborators for bringing the emotionally rich character Ditto to life.
Omer Ben Shachar, director and co-writer of Houston, We Have a Crush, brings an absurdist yet heartfelt story about loneliness and longing to the HollyShorts Film Festival lineup.
Co-written with Jen Kim and produced by Jason Eisner and Bara Kim, the film stars Sam Humphrey and Ben Rigby, with cinematography by Kai Krause.
The unique lead character, Ditto, is an animatronic alien whose emotional journey is central to the film’s exploration of technology, connection, and human desire.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
We were very interested in the concepts of loneliness and connection in the modern age, especially with technology being so integrated in the way we experience both of those feelings. Omer, the director, and Jen, the writer, were also inspired by their experiences with app dating. The ease with which, through a screen, we are able to project our ideals, beliefs, and desires onto someone was a fascinating experience we wanted to explore.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically? Was there a moment on set or in post that completely changed how you saw the story?
Part of what was so exciting about making this film were all the challenges we faced. We had never worked with a creature team, let alone had a story with a mostly non-verbal, animatronic creature as the lead. Everything from creating Ditto to shooting in the desert to relying on natural light was surprising in the experiences they created for our team.
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
The overall premise itself felt very singular to our absurdist sense of humor and the way we like to find different perspectives through which to tell universal stories.
What was the hardest creative decision you made while making this film?
Many of the creative decisions we made on this project made the making of it more challenging. Deciding to have our protagonist be a creature with limited, animatronic facial expressions was difficult in trying to convey the emotional journey through the story. Deciding to shoot on location in the desert made the logistics of filming more complicated. And deciding to shoot on film made the process of shooting more unpredictable. But, despite the challenges that these decisions came with, ultimately, they served the story and allowed us to create a film that feels otherworldly in a satisfying way.
"The overall premise itself felt very singular to our absurdist sense of humor and the way we like to find different perspectives through which to tell universal stories."
What do you hope audiences take away from your film?
We hope that audiences come away from the film having felt something. Whether it's pity for Ditto’s crushed reality or excitement for the expansion of its world, we want the audience to feel fully immersed in this world and invested in our protagonist’s journey.
"We want the audience to feel some semblance of connection to what Ditto might be going through and to leave the theater either laughing or crying or fuming."
How has this film shaped or shifted the kind of stories you want to tell next?
This film has really opened our eyes to the boundaries we're able to push in our projects. With all the challenges this film posed and having overcome many of them, we're now much more confident in taking on ideas that might seem complicated, new, or different from what we usually do or make.
What’s a tool, technique, or resource that really helped you during production?
Our special effects team, Symbolic Arts, were invaluable. They not only created Ditto from a sketch to a fully formed animatronic creature, but also expertly puppeteered it on set. Alongside Sam Humphrey, our talented actor who brought Ditto to life, they created a character that, despite being a puppet, has a huge heart and soul.
Independent filmmakers often rewrite the rules out of necessity. What do you think is the greatest strength of independent filmmaking, and how did you lean into that on this project? Is there a lesson or breakthrough you’d share with others navigating this path?
When you’re making an independent film, you survive on passion. The crew becomes a family, and every ounce of effort, no matter how small, matters. On Houston, We Have a Crush, we were lucky to have an extraordinary team who poured their hearts into every frame, often going above and beyond without hesitation. That kind of dedication doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from choosing the right people to take on the journey with you. If there’s one lesson we’d share, it’s that the most important decision you make isn’t about gear or budget - it’s about surrounding yourself with people whose commitment matches your own.
"That kind of dedication doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from choosing the right people to take on the journey with you."
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for HollyShorts?
We’re thrilled to bring Houston, We Have a Crush to Los Angeles and share it with the cast, crew, and many of our friends based here. Being part of such an incredible lineup of films is an honor, and we can’t wait for the screening!
How do you hope being part of HollyShorts will shape the life of this film?
We hope HollyShorts will help continue Ditto’s festival journey by growing its fanbase and building a strong community around the film.
Where do you see this film going next?
Ditto’s journey is just getting started. We’ve got an exciting stretch ahead on the festival circuit, with many more stops on the horizon (many of which we can’t reveal yet :)). At the same time, we’re developing a feature version of the story, where Ditto’s adventure grows even bigger, funnier, and more heartfelt, and he makes some more furry, lovable friends along the way.
"At the core of all my work is a desire to make the audience cry and laugh, ideally simultaneously."
Cast and Crew
- Doriane Desfaugeres — Production Designer
- Claudio Olachea — Composer
- Symbolic Arts — Special Effects Team
For more on Houston, We Have a Crush, visit the film's website.
