Short Film 'Social Meditation' Is a Comedy and Critique of Social Currency

Comedy director Matt Pittroff partners with writer Jeff Collins and longtime producer Steve Blair on a new short film 'Social Mediation'. The PandaBlair Production, stars Allegra Edwards (“Upload”, “Friends From College”) Mark Gessner (“Benders,” “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll”), Charlie Pollock (“Elementary,” “The Good Fight”) and Nadia Gan (“Mr. Robot,” “The Affair”), and demonstrates that 'Falling out of love shouldn’t cost you Likes'.

As a couple finalises their separation, they seek counsel in dividing their most valuable assets – their social currency. Neil and Charlotte have shared an exciting life together. More importantly, they’ve shared a very carefully curated version of that life on social media. Now it’s up to two attorneys to navigate the process of dividing that public facing life into two lives that leave them feeling as interesting, enviable and shareable apart as they were together. 

Pittroff and writer Jeff Collins met over chivitos and Patricias in Montevideo, Uruguay. While it was selling fried chicken that brought them together, a tiresome friendship soon developed based on quick wit and a mutual respect for each other’s craft. The duo has since partnered on dozens of ad campaigns. 'Social Mediation' is their first narrative effort.

Pittroff notes: “As soon as Jeff sent me his script, I knew this film was going to get made. What hooked me was the scary and hilarious idea that we as a society may not be too far from the outlandish idea of ‘Social Mediation'. I knew that this film would be all about the words and performances, and what I hoped to bring to the table was an execution that shaped the tone of those performances, and the satire by offering up a slightly darker atmosphere. Most importantly, I wanted the actors to have as much space as possible, and for the viewer to be completely undistracted by the process. I love highly technical movies, and I am an incredibly visual person, but when it comes to comedy dialogue, I just like to sit back and watch.”

“I think it was only the second day I knew Matt when he made fun of my sandals in a casting session in Uruguay,” recalls Collins. “Usually directors are uncommonly nice to the agency in the beginning – and I thought, ‘Oh, I can trust this guy'. Trust him I have with my words ever since. Matt is an incredibly collaborative partner who always brings ideas to the table that make the work better. His attention to detail is exhausting and you could name a hurricane after his work ethic. When he told me he wanted to shoot this script, I knew it was in good hands, and that my footwear was open to scrutiny.”

The team is also currently crafting a feature-length screenplay. 'A Loss Like You' is a dark, coming-of-age comedy that chronicles the relationship of an orphaned angry teen and an obsolete, malcontent high school shop teacher who find a rocky common ground over their respective losses. Pittroff and Collins have also lit the burners on a few other projects.

In addition to directing 'Social Mediation', Pittroff has been enjoying continued success in advertising. Last fall, he signed with bi-coastal content company Bodega for commercial representation. He has also directed projects for clients including Pizza Hut, Hilton Honors, Spectrum, and Round Table Pizza, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and DEWALT to name just a few. You can view his reel here.