Make ‘Em Laugh!

Step into the Light

Directed by Joseph Avery Dado

Release Date: March 14, 2025

Starring: Jack Schaffhauser

Synopsis: A young stand-up comedian self-doubts and must find the confidence to take the stage to discover his talent.

Director’s statement

As a filmmaker, it is always challenging to face criticism, especially after putting so much effort into a short film. There was a time when I doubted my abilities, feeling that others were more skilled and questioning my own talent. When I made Mishap Station, my second short film, I realized that filmmaking is a part of me and that authenticity is at the core of my work.

For this film, I wanted to explore the struggle of a person grappling with self-doubt and external criticism. I chose a comedian as the protagonist, since stage fright is a natural element of performance and filming a comedian allowed me to capture that tension more directly than it might have been possible with a musician or other artist. My goal was to create an anxiety-driven experience for the audience, so they could feel the stress that Marco, played by Jack, was going through.

Collaborating with friends during the filmmaking process also added a personal layer, giving me the opportunity to reflect on my growth as a filmmaker since our last encounter in high school. The experience reinforced the importance of authenticity, resilience, and the shared journey of creating meaningful work.

Production

Joseph Dado set out to create a five-minute short film in under a month for his portfolio. He developed a story about a comedian confronting self-doubt and reclaiming his confidence. The script was written in collaboration with Nathaniel Emery, a high school alumnus of Dado’s. Filming began on February 28, 2025, and wrapped the same day. The final version of the film was completed in just one week.