The Disco Dancer's Dead

“The Disco Dancer’s Dead” is a 70s-inspired comedy mystery short film. The story begins with the producer of a hit disco TV show arriving on the day of the premiere to find the star dead in his dressing room. During the subsequent investigation, the persistent Detective Brooks must interrogate the crew of the show to find the truth, but as their stories unfold, she finds everyone has something to hide.

Our film aims to highlight female-led comedy and comedy as a meaningful genre, while also exploring themes of exploitation and justice. 

We intend to use crowdfunding to support the production of this short film, covering essential costs like feeding our cast and crew, transportation, location fees, and costuming and set dressing. 

Writer and director - Rata Shaw

Producer - Alana Hughes

Cinematographer - Abby Lindsay 

Our Heads of Department team is made up of third-year Massey University Screen Arts students, and we are excited to work together on the creation of this project and create an interesting and entertaining work. 

Your gracious donations will help bring this film to life by going towards:

• Art department to bring to life the 70s-inspired aesthetic of the film through props, costume and set dressing
• Catering our set for cast and crew
• Payment of our actors 
• Transportation costs
• Film festival entrance fees 

Paul, the producer of live TV dance show Disco Direct, arrives on the day of the new season premiere to find the star of the show dead in his dressing room. Detective Brooks, a determined police officer born with an exceptional sense of smell, arrives on the scene to investigate the case. The suspects are as follows: Paul - the producer, Pam - the director, Jordana - girlfriend of the deceased, Rhonda- hair stylist, John- sound recordist, Donna, Michael, Sharon - the trio of dancers/ camera operators. 

Brooks interrogates each of the crew members, who outline the events of the pre-premiere party from the previous night. Through their stories, information is revealed that incriminates each suspect as having a potential motive to want the Disco Dancer dead. Paul was angry he was quitting the show, as well as the fact Paul and John were having an affair that the Disco Dancer knew about. Pam had been stealing money from the show’s safe. Jordana hated the music genre of disco, as well as being jealous that the Disco Dancer had not involved her in his newly released hairspray line, which was highly successful. Rhonda was mistreated by the Disco Dancer and the wider crew, and mentions in passing that she makes her own beauty products with eucalyptus. 

Post interrogations, Brooks finds herself no closer to the truth. A scream comes from the dressing room. The body is gone! Written on the mirror are the words the “Disco never dies”. Everyone freaks out. Level-headed Brooks calls to confirm the body was taken to the morgue and no risings have occurred. Suddenly, Brooks notices a bottle of hairspray with a dent in it, with a suspicious aroma of eucalyptus. Brooks deduces that the Disco Dancer had stolen Rhonda’s original recipe for super-strong hold hairspray, and Rhonda had killed him in revenge. Brooks notices Rhonda isn't in the room and alerts the other suspects, who notice the safe is empty. A car starts up in the distance. Brooks runs out of the building to find an empty car park and a company ID, revealing Rhonda’s full name to be Rhonda Run.

From our director: 

In “The Disco Dancer’s Dead”, I wanted to write a film that combines the comedy and mystery genres, which features interesting female main characters. First off, I want to create an entertaining film within the comedy genre, as I believe that comedy is an incredibly powerful genre that speaks to a lot of people. Despite it not being recognised with accolades or critical acclaim, it has the power to connect to people universally. I think films should be a little sillier as well, seeing as a lot of movies, especially short films, take themselves very seriously at the moment. Laughter and enjoyment are most of the reasons why I like watching films, and with the horrible things going on in the world, some comedic escapism goes a long way. I am also interested in more films that centre women as main characters in stories, not mainly focused on their womanhood. I believe the characters of Detective Brooks and the female suspects, such as Pam, the show director, and Rhonda, the hairstylist, are interesting and multifaceted female characters, and I hope to bring them to life and make them shine on screen. 

As well as centering female stories, the film also touches on themes of exploitation of the vulnerable and justice for those who have been wronged, while still maintaining a fun and comedic tone throughout the film. The main drive behind this project is the need for more unique and truly enjoyable films in the comedy genre, and having women in leading roles within comedy. The lasting impact I want to leave on the audience is the enjoyment and entertainment of the comedy genre, and also that student filmmakers can create meaningful works within the genre.