FRIDAY NIGHT (a short film on 16mm)

a short film that i shot last spring when i was feeling a bit lonely in college.
written and directed by yours truly
starring - maya zhai
music - 6/10 by dodie

shot on kodak 16mm b&w reversal in the arri s

F A Q
what’s your name? ashley
how old are you? 20
how tall are you? 5'5"
what’s your ethnicity? half british and half burmese

FTC: Not sponsored.

[bestdressed]

hey guys! here's something a little different this week - a short film that i shot for my cinematography class. i hope you guys enjoy as this film is a little piece of my heart. (ok wow that was cheesy anYWAYS more fashion related videos later this week so stay tuned :) )

[aparajitasaha]

Why am I seeing this after 2 whole years of being subscribed to Ashley

[giveupndie]

why is this only now in my recommendation???

[MaceyRosalie]

I love how the text she got back at the end of the video was timed so perfectly with the little ping at the end of Dodie's song.

[JadeHasProblems]

I love your attention to detail. At 0:49 the finger tapping is synced to the beat as well as the light of the phone at 2:59, it’s a detail that ties in the music beautifully with the cinematography. I love the use of mirrors in this video, mirror shots are tricky and these are executed extremely well. The film gave it a homey vibe that meshed well with the idea of the video, and the story was not only believable but too real. This portrayed emotions almost impossible to express. I will be watching this again. Thank you for sharing your art with us, I can’t wait to see what else you create. ❤️

[mariellenstathopoulos]

As soon as I heard dodie I knew I was here for a sad little movie

[esmebe]

dodie *and* bestdressed?!!!?? my two favs combining to make something so wonderful.

[butterbeer]

Incredibly relatable when I moved out for college and into the dorms. I knew no one, and spent the weekends lonely. The perk was that my roommates were out mostly, though I had such a great feeling of FOMO, while also too anxious and insecure about stepping out of my comfort zone. Even worse was that I was hit with homesickness, something I never thought I'd feel. Overtime, it did get much better. I made friends, got a job, and even began exploring the new city I called home, alone at night. It was a process, like most things are. And now as a grad living out here for two years, it still hits me how far I've come and how my new life has become the norm. I do get moments of homesickness, but they're rare these days. Thanks for sharing your film.

[dianachamomile]

this is my teen years all wrapped into one :’) somehow the tender candidness reminds me of ladybird just a lil’

[m_here]

okay, so I love both dodie and ashley, but I somehow didn't know that ashley made a film with 6/10??? worlds are colliding

[andreajimiza]

Anyone else got really excited when the last piano note matched with the text?😂

[whome]

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I connected with that girl, my heart hurts. beautifully made.

[tonelundefaret]

Wow. Im amazed at how accurate this is to the struggle im having. It makes me feel hopeful

[aanyaarora]

in love with this and i might've cried oops hormones

[NadineFelice]

Dodie + u is my new fave combo!
This was lovely

[mychaela]

Not even messing, when I read the title I was like “6/10” by dodie would probably fit this well
MATE

[Asummersdaydreamer]

Nice job, Ashley. Good choice in friend/actress since she seemed comfortable with what you gave her. Very good choice to choose black and white (and not just because aesthetic) since it hides budget constraints.

Only nitpick I really care about is the shot dedicated to medium close up of her phone in the beginning. It's just a personal preference of mine, but I think switching to close ups of texting can become boring if one's story requires repeats of that similar texting shot. Have you've ever displayed texting in your shorts like how you do your clothing commentary "inner dialogue" floating text? Check out how the show Sherlock handles texting if you want to know what I mean. The way you have it works okay in a short, but I felt compelled to voice my pet peeve.

Also, like everyone else has mentioned, quality use of a Dodie song. I strangely didn't peg you as someone who would listen to her.

[Saraorz]

I love this… first watched this during middle school and now I’m in college, time flies but there are still times that I feel like this film

[amcntd]

you absolutely did amazing omg i love this video 💓 the videography is so well done and the video has such a genuine and unique feel to it, a little sad but very gentle? im not sure how to describe it but all in all its a gorgeous piece of work, you must've worked incredibly hard on it 💖💖

[khaoticdeviance]

So I watched this about three times now and I started crying because the feelings you portrayed in this video I resonated with a lot, especially lately and yeah great work girl :) I always believe that a true artist can make their audience feel something and you definitely did and continuously do so kudos!! :)