NEXT, PLEASE
Surrealist claymation short at the fast food establishment of ‘CHOMPY’S’, where employee Perry finds themself stuck in a loop with a customer from hell.
SYNOPSIS
A run-of-the-mill shift at the respectable establishment of a greasy ‘CHOMPY’s’ turns sideways when a particularly hungry customer keeps hitting repeat at the drive-through window. Employee Perry knows their place: take the order, make the burger, and then call the next customer. Yet when things become stranger and stranger, Perry’s world unravels as they strive to maintain the company-mandated composure. They have to be ready for the next thing that comes their way. But what are they supposed to do when that next never comes?
DIRECTORS STATEMENT
It is undeniably a scary time to be a filmmaker. I would not say there has ever been a particularly secure time to be one (ask the parent of any aspiring creator ever), but the industry's increasingly pressed bottom line has much of our screen falling into conformity. A delicate balance of creativity versus safety is the embedded struggle, as we balance our art and our need to eat. Animation is a special level of creative risk for all its time intensity and moving parts, but unbelievably rewarding to see come together.
On the surface, 'Next, Please' is born from my frustrations working in customer service as a teenager. Long hours had every customer blending into one amalgamation, looking to throw their pent-up anger at my cystic acne-riddled face. There were moments, much like Elinor in the 'Good Place', where I had to ask myself if I was really still in the world I had known and loved, or some kind of third dimension where logic no longer mattered and seconds became hours. I remember the laminated sheet next to the till screen with a step-by-step speech to give out at every checkout, next to a big smiling emoji reminding us to be friendly. To disguise up-sell tricks as earnest conversation. I remember that nail on the chalkboard sensation of calling out "next, please," knowing it was one of hundreds, and each of them would be the same.
This experience reinforced a fear I knew I had within me; a sense of job entrapment, the sensation of a clock on and off. Work that I hated in exchange for living. Blessed with enough opportunity to know that minimum wage customer service was unlikely to be the rest of my life, the concept of the traditional 9-5 lingered. That brings us to the deeper meaning behind the film, which is the fear of falling into repetition. For every Monday to resemble the previous, and every weekend spent in itching dread for the week ahead. 'Next, Please' is about the desire for that request to be a genuine one, where what comes next is something worth looking forward to. I want the next project to be even more soul-consuming, difficult and invigorating.
LEADING CREW
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Finlay Wilson
Obsessed with the strange and discomforting, Finlay is a recent graduate of UTS's Bachelor of Communication after majoring in both Media Arts and Production, as well as Writing and Publishing. Whether the form is traditional prose, poetry, animation, drama, or whatever experimentation garners his interest, Finlay is just looking to tell unique stories in unique ways.
With several published works include the Young Creatives Writing Anthology (2025), 'Next, Please' serves as his directorial debut. Though having an affinity for writing, he is experienced in elements of production, sound design and post-production. He hopes to continue working on the next experimental piece that he creates.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Roman Jacobs
Roman is an emerging Director of Photography with a strong visual passion for storytelling through light, movement, and camera. Currently completing a Bachelor of Media Arts and Production & Writing and Publishing at the University of Technology in Sydney, Roman has developed a versatile understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking.
Roman has worked across a range of short films, documentaries, and experimental projects, gradually developing a distinct visual style and enthusiasm for cinematography. He is proficient in combining lighting setups with precise camera work and has had previous experience in many roles as DOP since his career began in early 2023.
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Zara Linkous
Zara is a soon-to-be graduate from UTS with a bachelor’s in communications (Media Art and Production). With experience in production design and assistant directing, Zara has worked for independent production company Praxis Pictures and assisted in various student films.
For 'Next, Please', Zara was responsible for original design mock-ups, setting a visual tone and colour palette for the set, acquiring materials and assembling the set from scratch.
SOUND DESIGNER
Roman Apollonov
Roman Apollonov is a 21-year-old student from Sydney, in his final year studying Media Arts and Writing and Editing at UTS. He’s long had an interest in music and audio, which was rejuvenated through activities and subjects in his Media Arts classes, such as experimental media and field recording. He performed the audio recording, composition and audio editing for this project.
EDITOR
Caitlin Mesina
Hello! My name is Caitlin Mesina and I am currently a third year student at the University of Technology, Sydney. I am studying a Bachelor of Communications (Media Arts & Production) and a Bachelor of International Studies.
I specialise in post-production, desiring to experiment with genre; whether it be exploring unique experiences, culture and societal challenges in documentary, or comedic and satirical short films. Passionate about storytelling through videography, editing, and cinematography, my academic journey has fuelled my interest in a future career within the forever-growing media industry.
CAST
Customer
Lydia Huffman
With years of experience capturing emotion through the lens, I've found a new creative outlet in using my voice to tell stories, create atmosphere, and connect with audiences in a different, deeply personal way .My passion lies in bringing voices to life that jump off the page and into the world, whether it's from a book, a script, or animated film.
Perry
Vincent Chung
A talented actor in both traditional and voice acting roles. He has a well-rounded education in the making of films and performing in them, along with other mediums. With his diversified experience, he breathes life into even inanimate clay.
SPECIFICATIONS
Duration: 6:07
Release Year: 2026
Genre: Surreal Experimental
Aspect Ratio: 16 : 9
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Frame Rate: 25 FPS
Sound: Stereo
CONATCT
Email: finlay.wilson@student.uts.edu.au
Phone: +61 412 374 674
CREDITS
WRITER & DIRECTOR
Finlay Wilson
PRODUCER
Finlay Wilson
Scout McWhinney
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Roman Jacobs
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Zara Linkous
EDITOR & COLOURIST
Caitlin Mesina
SOUND DESIGNER & COMPOSER
Roman Apollonov
CAMERA OPERATORS
Finlay Wilson
Roman Jacobs
ASSISTANT CAMERA
William Frost-Foster
FOLEY ARTIST
Jay Patel
SOUND ASSIST
Yuet Yan Emily Chen
ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK BY
Roman Apollonov
Kodak Commercial 1959
(Licensed)
SET DESIGN AND BUILD BY
Zara Linkous
WITH THE HELP OF
Lloyd Witt
Jasper Ottery
PERRY VOICED BY
Vincent Chung
CUSTOMER VOICED BY
Lydia Huffman
PERRY’S HANDS
Mia Gonzalez
SPECIAL THANKS TO
ALL GENEROUS DONATORS
NICK HENDERSON AND THE REST OF THE MEDIA TEAM
THE FILMMAKERS WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF THE LAND ON WHICH THIS FILM WAS MADE, THE GADIGAL PEOPLE OF THE EORA NATION, AND PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO ELDERS PAST AND PRESENT.
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY 2026