SYNOPSIS
Anthony’s lonely night at a bar takes a turn when a young woman strikes up conversation.
An intimate drama short film
RELEASED: 2026
Nathan Kornick wrote “The Empty Table” script as his senior project for college in the Fall of 2024. He wrote the script about the complexities of his loneliness and longing for connection in his unique position as a young man. After he finished it, he shared the final product with his longtime friend and collaborator, Chris Shields. Shields empathized with the script through the relationship he was in at the time, and specifically through the female lead, Jenna, who acted as a manifestation of Shields’ personality.
Kornick has a passion for queer stories, which is something he incorporates in nearly everything he writes. “The Empty Table” mixes ambiguous queer messages into its theme to connect this story with the rest of his filmography.
The two workshopped the script over the coming months, rounding out the characters, solidifying themes, and tweaking dialogue until they finally landed on a final version they were happy with. Shields pitched the idea of actually making the script into a short film and the two got to work in early 2025.
A big part of what intrigued Shields about this film was that it was unlike anything he had ever really worked on before. The idea of a quiet, intimate drama made of primarily dialogue alone and taking place in one location seemed like a fun challenge that he was excited to tackle. Shields and Kornick co-directed the film, Kornick starred in it as the lead, and Shields shot and edited the film.
They filmed the movie at Glacier Brewing Co. in Polson, MT in a single day.
PRE PRODUCTION
The planning phase where the foundation of the film is built. This includes script development, budgeting, casting, location scouting, scheduling, building the team, etc.
PRODUCTION
Cast and crew assemble on set to bring what has been planned to life.
POST PRODUCTION
The film is assembled, refined and colored. Footage is cut, sound design and mix, music added, color corrected transforming raw footage into the final product.
FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
The film makes is submitted and screened at film festivals across the country and beyond. Festivals bring opportunity for industry recognition, awards and press coverage.
WE ARE HERE
PUBLIC RELEASE
The film is now available to a wider audience which can include streaming platforms, digital rentals and more.
Meet the CAST
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NATHAN KORNICK
as Anthony
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MCKENNA MUNDEN
as Jenna
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OCTAVIO JIMENEZ
as Shawn
Meet the CREW
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CHRIS SHIELDS
Director, Director of Photography, Editor, Colorist, Camera Op, Costumer
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NATHAN KORNICK
Writer, Director
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NICK DORSEY
Assistant Director
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ANYA WELLS
Producer
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MARK HARVEY
Art Director, Prop Design
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JULIEN DOUSSET
Gaffer, 1st Assistant Camera
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GRAHAM SCHIJF
Script Supervisor, Post Sound Mixing
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NATHANIEL SPILKER
Production Sound
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LUCAS JARRETT
1st Assistant Camera
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MAX LENIK
2nd Assistant Camera, Production Assistant
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AIDAN GRAHAM
Production Assistant
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JACK HUFFINE
Production Assistant
