One Goal Changes Everything
Directed by Joseph Avery Dado
Release Date: June 6, 2022
Starring: Joseph Avery Dado, Jamsheed Kamali, Christopher Samosudov, Nicolas Tzortis, Valentine Tkach, Thomas Chan, Anthony Bassenden, & Rebecca Matulina
Synopsis: In his last days of high school, Joe wants to complete his bucket list by talking to his crush and must achieve it before the school year ends.
Director’s Statement
Joe’s Life changed my life in a very literal way. It came from a place of fear, regret, and a deep need to prove something to myself. During the COVID-19 pandemic, my high school years felt like they were slipping away. We were isolated at home, attending classes through screens, missing milestones, and watching opportunities disappear. When things finally returned to normal, I was already in my final year, and I was forced to face a painful realization. I felt like I had nothing meaningful to show for that entire chapter of my life. I did not want to graduate feeling like those years had been wasted.
The film began as a simple drama class assignment. We were asked to create a passion project, and for me it immediately became something deeply personal. At first, the idea was light and playful. I imagined it as a sitcom-style story inspired by friendships, awkward teenage crushes, and everyday school life. But as I started writing, the story naturally became more honest and vulnerable because it was rooted in real experiences.
The inspiration came from my time participating in my school’s stage adaptation of Mean Girls, where I developed a real crush on the lead actress, who ultimately plays herself in the film. Being surrounded by my drama classmates, their personalities, insecurities, and emotional struggles shaped the story. The characters became fictionalized versions of real people, and the narrative became a reflection of how it truly feels to be young, insecure, and desperate to be noticed.
The core theme of Joe’s Life is the painful transition from adolescence to adulthood. It is about identity, disappointment, and emotional growth. The story explores the moment when you realize that life does not follow the version you imagined in your head. As teenagers, we often believe that if we try hard enough, things will work out exactly the way we want. This film challenges that belief. It shows that maturity often comes from accepting rejection, facing embarrassment, and learning to let go of outcomes you cannot control.
Originally, the film ended in a simple and satisfying way, with Joseph successfully asking Rebecca to prom. But that version felt dishonest. Real life rarely provides perfect closure. After revisiting the story and reflecting on the emotional impact of Spider-Man: No Way Home, I realized the film needed consequences. The final ending, where Joseph is forced to confront reality and accept disappointment, ultimately defines the film’s message. Growth does not come from getting what you want. It comes from learning how to live with what you do not get.
Much of the film was improvised due to scheduling limitations, but that rawness became one of its greatest strengths. The performances feel authentic because they are rooted in real emotions and real relationships. That authenticity is what audiences connect with most.
Joe’s Life is not a technically perfect or highly original film, but it is emotionally honest. It represents the first time I truly felt seen as a filmmaker. It gave me confidence, recognition, and a sense of purpose. More importantly, it preserved a moment of my life that would have otherwise faded away.
When I watch the film now, I feel nostalgia, embarrassment, and pride at the same time. It captures the awkwardness, intensity, and sincerity of being young. It reminds me of who I was, what I feared, and the moment I realized that growing up is not about winning or achieving your ideal ending. It is about accepting reality, learning from disappointment, and continuing forward with a stronger sense of self.
Production
The project began when Dado’s drama teacher assigned a final evaluation requiring a passion project. Inspired by classic sitcoms such as F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Dado initially conceived the idea as a television episode titled Joe’s Life. The episode, Go Get Her, Tiger, was to follow a fictional version of Joseph as he struggles to build the confidence to talk to his crush. Over time, the concept evolved into a short film, with Dado choosing to forgo the sitcom framework in favor of a standalone narrative. While most of his classmates presented their projects early, Dado was the final student to showcase his work. The script was written in April 2022 and finalized on May 14, 2022.
Production took place at LaurenHill Academy, Dado’s high school, operating on a zero budget and relying on iPhones borrowed from friends. The film embraced single-take shots to streamline production, which encouraged spontaneous performances and improvisation from the cast. COVID-19 protocols necessitated adjustments to several scripted scenes, forcing creative solutions on the fly. Filming wrapped just days before Joseph was scheduled to present, adding significant pressure to complete a film that had quickly become highly anticipated.
Release
Word of mouth became wide as his alumni’s were aware and excited to see the final results. The film officially completed May 30, just a day before the premiere at his drama classroom with high praise for the story, tone, editing, and unexpected ending. The film later premiered at the auditorium on June 2, making it the only theatrical run. The film released publicly June 6, 2022 on YouTube. Since it’s release the film was taken down and re uploaded again in 2023. In 2024, Dado decided to fix the film as many criticism were towards the technical aspects like the sound and pixelated image. The film will officially return permanently on YouTube in 4K HDR
About The Remaster
Joe’s Life is presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Black bars at the top and bottom of the frame are inherent to this format. The film was photographed on iPhone XR, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Pro, and completed through an all-digital workflow. For this restoration, the original raw footage was utilized whenever available; however, certain sections required sourcing from the earlier master, resulting in a meticulous and technically challenging process.
