Rags and Riches
Biola University - 8 minute Short Film
Role: Co-Producer
Project Overview
Rags & Riches is a character-driven short film that follows three friends on a spontaneous thrift store run that unexpectedly turns into an act of generosity. What begins as a lighthearted mission to find the perfect outfit for a party evolves into a story about dignity, confidence, and quiet kindness.
Set almost entirely inside a thrift store, the film balances comedic energy with emotional sincerity. Through Maggie’s encounter with Otto, a man browsing the racks alone, the narrative shifts from playful chaos to meaningful connection, showing how small choices can deeply impact someone’s day. Rags & Riches Script
As Co-Producer, I helped bring this contained, dialogue-heavy story to life—ensuring the tone remained cohesive while managing the logistical demands of a location-driven shoot.
Producing Goals and Vision
Because the film moves between high-energy montage sequences and intimate emotional beats, one of our primary goals was maintaining tonal balance. The thrift store needed to feel vibrant and chaotic in moments of comedy, yet tender and reflective during Maggie and Otto’s interaction.
From a producing standpoint, this meant:
Securing a practical location that could support both dynamic movement and quiet performance
Structuring the schedule to allow flexibility for improvisational energy in montage scenes
Protecting time for the emotionally significant final sequences
The heart of the story rests in the denim jacket exchange—a moment that transforms the film from quirky to compassionate. My role involved safeguarding that emotional arc from pre-production through post, ensuring the film never lost sight of its central message: generosity restores dignity.
Responsibilities as Co-Producer
As Co-Producer for Rags & Riches, I was responsible for:
Assisting in budgeting and production planning for a single-location narrative
Coordinating with the location to secure filming permissions and manage on-site logistics
Supporting casting coordination and communication between departments
Overseeing scheduling to accommodate ensemble scenes and montage sequences
Managing on-set problem-solving and maintaining production flow
Collaborating with the director to preserve tonal consistency between comedy and drama
Supporting post-production coordination and delivery timelines
Because the story depends heavily on performance chemistry and pacing, much of my focus centered on keeping morale high, protecting creative space for the actors, and ensuring the emotional beats were never rushed.
Final Result
Rags & Riches delivers a warm, character-centered narrative that begins in humor and ends in heartfelt generosity. The contained thrift store setting becomes more than a backdrop—it transforms into a space of rediscovered confidence and unexpected grace.
The final scene, with Otto dancing down the street in his gifted denim jacket, encapsulates the film’s spirit: joy can be sparked by the smallest act of kindness. Rags & Riches Script
Below are production stills, behind-the-scenes images, and development materials documenting the collaborative process that brought Rags & Riches to life.
