A young actor, cast only as a corpse, lies still on stage while secretly studying every role around him.
When the spotlight finally shifts, he steps into it — and exposes a world driven by jealousy, power, and those still waiting to be seen.
The 8th Actor will be screening at the NYU Grad Film 2nd Year Showcase on May 10.
This film brought me back to my hometown, Beijing — and it wouldn’t exist without the support of so many friends who came together for it. It means more than I can put into words.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring this film to life.
Directed by Kasper Qiu
DP: Leo Zhang @harroleoo
Produced by Baggio Jiang @baggio_jiang , Joseph Osei-Bonsu @josephoseibonsu
Production Design: Qifa Liu
Art Director: Jiajie He @hokaikit
1st AD: @genghisliu8
2nd AD: @linyusssssss
1st AC : @yao_x_dp
Cast: Zhuyu Hao
Jiawei Zhong
Zhenmiao Chen
Haibo Liu
Jinglin Wei
Kaixiang Zhang
Han Han
Shaotian Cai
Special thanks to all faculty at NYU Tisch School of the Arts & The One Yi Theater.
This film is dedicated to all those whose dreams have yet to be seen in the light. #nyu #nyutisch #nyugradfilm
The Toy Doctor is complete — and had its first screening at NYU!
Endless thanks to the incredible cast and crew who brought this story to life, and to all the friends who supported me behind the scenes. I truly enjoyed every part of the process — it was a bold stylistic experiment for me, and I learned so much, both creatively and technically.
Hope you enjoy it!
Directed & Written by: Kasper Qiu
1st A.D.: Jiajie He @hokaikit
Cinematography: Linyu Shen @linyusssssss
Producer: Joseph Osei-Bonsu @josephoseibonsu
Production Design: Kasper Qiu
Edited by: Kasper Qiu
Sound Design & Mix: Baggio Jiang @baggio_jiang
Music: Yuxuan Liu @yuxuanliumusic
1st Ac: Nick Matthys @nickmatthys1
Gaffer: Stephen Lyons @stphnlyns
key grip: James Mcsweeney @jpmcsweeney
Sound engineer: Zoey Kang
Storyboard artist: Lind Guo @lindillustration
Executive producer &camera consultant:Bruce Li @bruce_li0412
Starring: @steven.magee.sr@tinaannbrock Bella Thomerson, Lucas Villarosa, Wei Zhou
Produced at: NYU Grad Film
#nyu #nyutisch #indiefilmmakers #indiefilm #shortfilm #studentfilm
The Toy Doctor is coming soon!
Had so much fun during both the shoot and post-production. Can’t wait to finally share it with you all. Let's goooo
#shortfilm #studentfilm #indiefilm #nyu #nyutisch
IT'S A WRAP
It’s a wrap!
NYU student short film Toy Doctor is complete!
Huge shoutout to Lind @lindillustration , our brilliant storyboard artist. The final visuals aligned so closely with the storyboards — it’s a rare and beautiful thing. The storyboards played a crucial role in shaping the film and truly stood as works of art on their own.#storyboard #studentfilm #nyufilm #tisch #shortfilm
