NARRATIVE SHORT
JUNE 25, 2021
USA | 4 minutes | 2019
Sci-fi comedy short film directed by Giovannie Espiritu
Starring Giovannie Espiritu
ALLY 3000
The CEO of a tech firm has to make a decision about a new product designed to alleviate white guilt.
Interview
CineAsian Films (CAF): Ally 3000 is so timely, especially with everything that’s happened in 2020. What inspired you to make this film?
Giovannie Espiritu: I made the film initially because I was upset over a lot of the microaggressions that I was facing in the workplace – especially in the entertainment industry. I try to turn my anger into something more productive and creative. Most of the roles and positions of power belong to straight white men who are gatekeepers for access to financing or make the decisions on what stories will be told… so there is such an inequality that exists in the industry… like women and women of color have to work three times harder for less opportunities… and sometimes I wonder what I would do if I had the privilege of an old white man. It was that fantasy that birthed ALLY 3000.
CAF: What were some of the biggest creative and/or production challenges you faced while making Ally 3000?
Espiritu: The biggest piece of the puzzle facing filmmakers today is lack of funding and support. I was thankful to have talented friends who would help me out with their services for a lower rate, but I pretty much made the film for $800. If I had more money, it would have definitely been slicker and had more bells and whistles, but as an indie filmmaker (single mom and gig worker!) – I had to make do with what I had. I’m glad even with the simple production value, people were able to enjoy the film and connect with it. It has won over 10 awards on the film festival circuit and featured internationally.
CAF: What do you hope people can take away from watching your film?
Espiritu: I hope that people are more aware of the systematic bias that is built into society. Brad, the antagonist, isn’t trying to be racist or mean… he actually thinks that he is helping, but he just isn’t self aware. I have found that most of my friends who are of a privileged class just aren’t aware of the bias that they naturally have because it is the water that they swim in. That’s what I love about film… it forces us to look at someone else’s perspective and hopefully, make us a more empathetic society.
CAF: Are you working on anything new and exciting at the moment?
Espiritu: I just finished a small role on a teen horror called, “Reed’s Point,” which will be coming out next year, and I’m currently looking for funding for my feature film, “Dis-Graced,” which is a religious satire loosely based on my experiences coming out of a Biblical doomsday cult. I also have a few other projects in the works: a few fun sketch shorts, a limited series about sisters that I’m developing with writer/director Daryl Barnes, and a thriller with action director Dennis Ruel (Unlucky Stars).
ALLY 3000 is one of the many great projects shared with CineAsian Films through our submissions process. If you’d like to join them, submit your film.
Credits
Director, Writer, Producer, Editor: Giovannie Espiritu
Producer, Cinematographer, Editor: Dennis Ruel
Also starring: Leticia LaBelle, Michael Ehrenberg, Kevin Duffin, Christopher Dukes
CineAsian Films 