Haven J. Kim - The Basics of Love

Role: Production Designer

"The Basics of Love" is a short film that follows two sanitation workers who, on New Year's Eve, unexpectedly stumble into an armed robbery—and are surprised to discover hidden feelings for each other along the way.

In my role as a production designer, I contributed to the creative script development by providing insightful feedback on scenes, dialogue, and overall structure. I partnered closely with the director, producer, and cinematographer to establish the film’s visual language, ensuring that it aligned with the narrative's intentions. Together with the director and producer, I co-selected locations that strategically complemented scene progression and design elements. A significant achievement was securing film funding through an extensive fundraising campaign, which allowed me to manage the budget effectively while recruiting, hiring, and overseeing the art department crew. I built strong relationships with prop houses, negotiating discounts for set decorations and props to maximize resources. My efforts included pre-dressing and transforming locations to create immersive, film-ready sets that enhanced the storytelling. Additionally, I provided critical feedback on film pacing and visual storytelling to improve the final cut. In collaboration with the director, I also contributed to the final packaging elements of the project, including the film poster, title, and credit design, ensuring a cohesive presentation that resonated with audiences.

✴ Accolades & Honors: Closing Night Short Film, Stony Brook Film Festival, Stony Brook, NY. Jury Winner, The Film Series at Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles, CA. Best Short Film of the Month (June 2024), Retrospective of Jupiter. Nominee, Young Director Award, Cannes, France. Shortlist, The 1.4 Awards of Brilliant Filmmaking, London. Finalist, Fine Cut Festival of Films (KCET/PBS). Daily Pick, Film Shortage, Online Screening Platform. Quarterfinalist, Screen craft Film Funds. ✴

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