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What inspired the idea for Shadow Docket? Was there a particular case, legal issue, or real-life event that sparked the story of detectives who find their facts don’t add up when facing an ambitious lawyer?
People from my life over forty years of life experience in the food Industry, security and entertainment. Their aspects peek through the vail of “The lie of life”. As for the lawyer he is a true characterization of three individuals and one whom is very smarmy, unctuous and falsely charming manner, often with a self-satisfied air.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
"Shadow Docket" by Kevin B Ploth (Synopsis)
Two detectives are confronted by an ambitious lawyer…..and find that their facts don’t add up!
Two detectives are confronted by an ambitious lawyer…..and find that their facts don’t add up!
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The film centers on the tension between the detectives and the lawyer. How did you develop the conflicting perspectives of these characters? What did you want audiences to understand about each side?
I wanted to show a power struggle and the over confidence of detectives versus the hubris of the lawyer. The actors Michael Sean McGuiness, Ed Trucco and James Henry whom played their perspective roles brilliantly. I had in my mind that the roles from the moment I started writing would be played by the three of them.
As for the conflict that happened naturally with three types of alpha players in a tight space…a big inspiration came from Hitchcock’s “Life Boat”. The audience so far has been loving it and get it. To quote a review recently..” What I admired most is how the film resisted the temptation to resolve. There is no grand verdict, no cathartic revelation, just a lingering sense of ambiguity that refuses to let go. In that sense, I felt the film was less about crime or law than about perception itself, and how fragile our
confidence in “facts” really is when power and rhetoric get involved.” Flight Deck 2025
As for the conflict that happened naturally with three types of alpha players in a tight space…a big inspiration came from Hitchcock’s “Life Boat”. The audience so far has been loving it and get it. To quote a review recently..” What I admired most is how the film resisted the temptation to resolve. There is no grand verdict, no cathartic revelation, just a lingering sense of ambiguity that refuses to let go. In that sense, I felt the film was less about crime or law than about perception itself, and how fragile our
confidence in “facts” really is when power and rhetoric get involved.” Flight Deck 2025
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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The phrase “Shadow Docket” has legal connotations — short, non-public rulings, etc. How does the title relate to your film’s themes? Is the “shadow docket” more metaphorical or linked to actual legal practice?
Great question and the answer is yes to both. To my military background and my personal dealings of the law as we know it. With the link it comes from me and the reality that Shadow Dockets exist and happen more then you know.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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The film is very short (about 3 minutes), black & white, etc. What drove your decisions in terms of format, style, cinematography, and pacing — especially given such a brief runtime?
It has always been my dream to do Black and White style noir and push the boundaries. My decision was not totally welcome from the team in the beginning from my tight style to “down the barrel” of lens and using a very tight space that helped in the performances as well as the mood/tone. For the run time was purposefully done by taking the segment from a much bigger story. The rest came from the talents of Ed Trucco who was the cinematographer and editor. Plus his performance as Detective Harris was dynamic.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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With a very limited budget (you list about US $60), what were the biggest challenges you faced in production? How did you manage to achieve your goals despite that limitation?
Well time, the space and execution. We made it happen and yes there were limits but to me I am used to creating the Sistine Chapel with crayons. I have learned a long time ago from my parents “Use what you have” “make it happen!” And my mom… “…PUNT!”
The money really covered travel and coffee. We started at 08:30 AM and were done and out by 12 PM on a Monday. Even now the whole team has been amazed with all the Laurels and Awards for a simply executed work of art.
The money really covered travel and coffee. We started at 08:30 AM and were done and out by 12 PM on a Monday. Even now the whole team has been amazed with all the Laurels and Awards for a simply executed work of art.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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Given the strong cast ensemble (James Henry, Ed Trucco, Michael Sean McGuinness, etc.), how did you approach casting and directing? Were there particular approaches you used to get performances that delivered the tension and ambiguity you needed?
They are by far some of the best talent NYC and SAG has and they were prepared from beginning to end. They made my job easy and I gave them room to work. Ed had it a bit harder because of running the camera and then thinking ahead on editing. Plus we had trust. As for James Henry he and I are both Army Veterans and he is a West Point Graduate along with his degree from NYU Tish which by the way is Michael Sean McGuiness Alma-mater. Ed Trucco is a master of his craft from Latin America , Argentina with dual languages and numerous Tella-Novellas he delivered. They all did and to me all equal. Plus they are all part of THE GIANT with key roles for that TV production.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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What are the key themes you hoped viewers would take away, beyond the immediate plot of detectives versus lawyer? For example: truth, corruption, power, justice, etc. Did anything evolve as you made the film (versus what you initially intended)?
To be blunt I and the team never thought this would go as far as it has and we now have people asking for a full script and pitches for a broad version of this Micro Short. For the themes my goal was to go dark and grab a mood of weight and no resolution. What did evolve was the performances from the actors and me pushing the time and a hard out helped with adding the tension.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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As both writer, director, producer, and even voice actor in the film, how do you balance those multiple roles? What was your biggest learning point from wearing all those hats?
For me doing many tasks is a natural part of me and I give them all equal time. Plus being blessed by a good team even help after from Vanessa Thorpe, David Diaz, Jd Wesley, and Larry Gress (my Major Domo) all had input. The learning point always is to be a better angle of my nature. Listen and communicate better always. I am flawed, hacked, dusty, warped piece of marble always working on a finished product. One can achieve all of your up for it and believe. Running up hill always.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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How has Shadow Docket been received in festivals so far? Were there any responses from audiences or critics that surprised you, or changed how you think about the film?
Well we have been nothing but floored to the reception and being asked to submit. FilmFreeWay has been a game changer for us.The numbers don’t lie and Shadow Docket has passed GIANT and our documentary This Stitch Will Last in actual Awards. In the beginning it was rejected twice and now look.
4 Selected
2 Not Selected
10 Award Winner
3 Finalist
1 Quarter-Finalist
1 Nominee
Just the opening up of the doors to welcome us has been surprising and how they welcome a veteran run production company. Even per reviews were just inspiring. I believed in this from the moment I put pen to paper and now it speaks for itself.
4 Selected
2 Not Selected
10 Award Winner
3 Finalist
1 Quarter-Finalist
1 Nominee
Just the opening up of the doors to welcome us has been surprising and how they welcome a veteran run production company. Even per reviews were just inspiring. I believed in this from the moment I put pen to paper and now it speaks for itself.
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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How does Shadow Docket fit into your broader career arc and ambitions (including your role as COO at Artimis Theatrical Productions)? What’s next for you — are there longer-form projects, features, or expansions of this story that you’re consider?
It all adds to the bigger picture for giving opportunities to those who need it and to keep them busy. We now have three Micro Shorts out Shadow Docket, Diner of Darkness (McGuiness, Ploth, Tripodi, Gress, Truco and Diaz) and The INTERVIEW (Doug Marcaida (USAF Veteran), Gress, Ploth, Diaz) and THE GIANT TV Show first season (six episodes) in a pre-production limbo. We also have Fitzgerald, BulletTown , Remote Outpost, and Not Your Fathers Coast Guard.
So much to do and time is what we have.
Keep on Keeping on!
So much to do and time is what we have.
Keep on Keeping on!
Kevin B Ploth
Director
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