UNIT Brings Stunning Visuals to Life for Short Film 'Friday Night Flop'

UNIT, the Fitzrovia-based boutique, independent, creative shortform and longform studio, contributed the sound design and colour grade for short film, FRIDAY NIGHT FLOP, which had its World Premiere on Monday 11th November at the Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, featuring a Q&A session with the cast and crew. Following the premiere, the film will tour across the UK.

Written and directed by Simon Friedberg and Elliott Gerner, FRIDAY NIGHT FLOP has been chosen to open the UK Jewish Film Festival at the Curzon Mayfair on Thursday 7th November it has also proudly been awarded the prestigious 2024 Pears Short Film Fund. Historically, winners of the Pears Short Film Fund have gone on to be shortlisted for the Academy Awards and featured in renowned film festivals around the world. 

FRIDAY NIGHT FLOP offers a timely, humorous, and heartfelt exploration of family dynamics amidst the challenges of digital distraction. This engaging short film features Tracy-Ann Oberman (EASTENDERS, TOAST OF LONDON, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE) and her daughter, Anoushka Cowan, marking their first on-screen collaboration and Anoushka’s debut performance. Anoushka reflects, “It reminds me of myself in that awkward lockdown period when everyone was just sort of in their rooms doing things online.” 

The film's stunning visuals were brought to life by cinematographer Paul Kirsop, using the state-of the-art Venice 2 camera for full-frame 8K resolution, paired with Arri DNA lenses. The creative team implemented a mix of dolly, slider, and handheld shots to evoke a range of emotions - from stillness to conflict to volatility - ensuring each scene resonates uniquely. 

UNIT Studios’ Jamie Thomas and Harry Shelton provided the sound design and grading respectively, for FRIDAY NIGHT FLOP, artfully adding layers of interest and emotion to elevate the narrative from moment to moment. The film was edited by Matt Gabzdyl at Final Cut.

UNIT Studios colourist Harry Shelton said, “We really enjoyed working with the FRIDAY NIGHT FLOP creative team to craft a cohesive look that matches the film’s tone and narrative flow.”

UNIT Studios creative director of Sound Jamie Thomas said, “Collaborating with directors Simon Friedberg and Elliott Gerner we worked to enhance immersion and emotional engagement with the now familiar experience of isolation we all experienced in lockdown via a range of sound devices. The aim was to create an unsettling experience for the viewer which I really feel we delivered on. It’s such a strong watch and we recommend everyone to go check it out.”

FRIDAY NIGHT FLOP writer and director Simon Friedberg said, “The enthusiasm from audiences wanting to delve deeper into our characters’ journeys feels like a tremendous endorsement and we couldn’t be prouder for the launch at the Curzon Mayfair and Phoenix Cinema.”