Logline

After years of residing within a confined space governed by artificial intelligence, Lauren desires to break free and attain independence.

Synopsis

Lauren, a once dedicated employee of Happy Box, INC, is now seventeen years in to her twenty-five-year contract and feeling stuck. Literally. Her contract demands that she spend this twenty-five-year period living and working within the 3 square feet of her very own "Happy Box." When she isn't selling her own hair in an online auction, Lauren spends the "happy coins" she earns on exercise and her most beloved activity, virtual vacations to the forest. Every moment of her day is overseen and directed by the Happy Box AI voice, an impossibly upbeat presence that is always watching but never seen. Although the company promises a picture-perfect life, Lauren's mindless and constricted reality has left her with nothing but regret. 

One day after work, Lauren discovers a crack in the air vent of her box. With this sudden glimmer of hope, Lauren is renewed by the possibility of escape. Under the guise of her exercise routine, Lauren takes every chance to kick the air vent loose. When the ever-watchful Happy Box voice catches Lauren in an attempt to cover her camera, Lauren is swiftly punished by the withdrawal of her Happy Coin privileges. The punishment only backfires, however, as Lauren is pushed over the edge, and in her rage, the vent comes open. Sirens blare as Lauren pulls herself through the air vent system and finally emerges in an open field. Barely escaping Happy Box guards, Lauren runs toward the forest and is overcome by the first sensations of freedom. 

After running through the night, Lauren finds herself in front of "Free World, INC,” and an eerily familiar community of boxes. Suddenly, Lauren hears cries for help and dashes over to investigate. The voice calls her closer, and Lauren enters the box believing she is about to free a young girl from the same fate as her own. A new and deeper voice announces that Lauren has been automatically entered into a forty-five-year contract. Lauren cries out in terror as she realizes she is right back where she started. The box's window slams shut, leaving only silence. The contract begins. 

CREATOR’S STATEMENT

The Happy Box story warns us of a possible future in which we all live happily controlled by AI and the trillionaires pulling its strings

I have pursued freedom my entire life. From a young age, I left home in search of new worlds, traveling to nearly forty countries as an explorer and an artist. I thrived in exotic environments where all I needed for the day were a t-shirt, sandals, and my cameras. This freedom and happiness never seemed to last long before societal obligations pulled me back to my “happy box” of working long hours, paying bills, and playing the game to become a “success.”

After watching the Tribeca-featured documentary “Ascension” about Chinese workers’ pursuit of progress through productivity, I envisioned the metaphorical boxes that entrap workers all over the world as literal, physical containers, and the world of “Happy Box” was born. As I examined my desire to flee from society’s constraints as a person and as an artist, I became passionate about telling the story of an individual who placed hope in the life that society’s expectations laid out for her, only to realize that production, control, and security did not bring her happiness at all. I want Lauren’s story to serve both as a warning of society’s probable future and as a question to the audience: do we in the future want to live in an AI happily-controlled world, or is the risk of living more freely ultimately worth it?

DIRECTOR - SCREENWRITER

Henrik A. Meyer found himself drawn to the camera at the age of 10 when he first started taking pictures, which turned into a lifelong passion for photography. This passion has led him to a long career as a cinematographer, and both this wealth of experience and a lifelong love of telling stories have set the foundation for his foray into the role of Director.

Henrik’s interest in directing stems from his deep appreciation for all pieces of the cinematic process—he thrives on being involved in every aspect of the final product, but more importantly, on collaborating with the many artists, he works alongside on each of his projects. His many world travels (over 40 countries!) have influenced his open-minded perspective toward his work, and he believes the best process involves the input and creative vision from every member of the team. His diverse travels and deep interest in each person’s unique story are the signature inspirations behind Henrik’s films, which are often based on true events but intentionally depicted through a universal lens.

A native of Denmark who spent 15 years in the Danish film industry, Henrik’s directorial journey was largely inspired by his colleagues Niels Arden Oplev (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Charlotte Sieling (Homeland, Lovecraft Country). A more recent and highly influential experience has been a series of screenwriting courses with John Warren (Young Screenwriters). He has had experience directing small commercial specs for brands like White Claw and Full Sail University, while also directing, writing, and producing his own short films, including The Blue Car (official selection of the Oxford and DC Shorts film festivals) and his newest work, Stay and Happy Box.

Henrik A. Meyer's showreel: www.henrikameyer.com

Henrik A. Meyer’s IMDb

PRODUCER - EDITOR

Gema is an independent film, TV, video producer and editor splitting her time between Los Angeles, California and New York City.  She has produced award winning films and has worked with the production teams of shows distributed by studios and platforms like Netflix, NBC, FOX and ABC. As an editor, she has cut music documentaries, specials and other content that has aired on networks such as CBS, PBS, DisneyXD and TCM UK.

Gema is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala; a nature rich country with social inequalities that has influenced her to work on projects following environmental, cultural and social issues. 

Gema Interiano’s website

Gema Interiano’s IMDb

ACTRESS (LAUREN)


Ashley Morgan Bloom is the Lead Actress in the New York Times Top Ten Show 'Basetrack Live,' a multi-media theatrical piece that explores the impact of the war in Afghanistan on the men who fight it and the families they return to. Playing Melissa Czubai, a Marine Wife, The New York Times says, "Ms. Bloom gives engaging, natural performances.” Performing at BAM in 2014, 'Basetrack Live' toured the country in 2014 and again in the fall of 2016, completing a 40-city tour.

Ashley Morgan Bloom plays Gina, a disgruntled teenager, in the independent short film 'Gun', a 2013 Sundance Official Selection.

One of Ashley’s favorite roles is Amanda Joyner in the feature film 'Love Isn't Enough.' Nick Allen of RogerEbert.com calls it "the 'Blue Valentine' of sorts of the Black Lives Matter discourse." In August 2016, 'Love Isn't Enough' premiered at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago as an Official Selection of the Black Harvest Film Festival; read a review of the film here. Between 2016-2017, 'Love Isn't Enough' was accepted into six film festivals and is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Also, on Amazon Prime, Ashley plays a villain in the superhero feature film 'And There Were 4.' In 2018, 'And There Were 4' was accepted into seven film festivals throughout the United States and Canada.

In the summer of 2019, Ashley played the lead female role in Director Erin Ryan's short film, 'Alex, Stop.' The two-minute cut competed in Kate Bosworth, Women in Film, and Chloe Wine Collection's first annual She Directed competition and finished in the top twenty films. "Alex, Stop," was awarded the best women's issue film in the 2022 Toronto Independent Film Festival of Cift and was also accepted into The Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles, which hosted the film's world premiere on July 16, 2022.

Don't miss Ashley's co-star debut in Law & Order SVU, Season 21, Episode 14: 'I Deserve Some Loving Too.' You can also see Ashley in the feature film 'The Next Step,' which was released on Amazon in November 2020.

Ashley can be seen playing Mindy in the feature, 'The In-Law Gang,' starring Clifton Powell. In 2022, Ashley played Ms. Katarina in the short film "The Interests," which was accepted into the Magnolia Independent Film Fest in Starkville, Mississippi. Most recently, Ashley played Kate, a leading role in the short film "AI Don't Exist" directed by Erol Mars. 

Ashley is currently signed with Bob Blume of Step Forward Entertainment and Carol Shaginaw of Carol Shaginaw Talent. To learn more about Ashley, visit ashleymorganbloom.com. 

ACTRESS (HAPPY BOX VOICE)

Alexandra C. Echavarri Lecaroz is an Actress, VO Actress, Comic and Singer born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is the daughter of Puertorican Landscaping Architect, named National Forest Advisor, Rosario Lecároz, and Cuban father Christian Echavarri who is head of a known Law Firm in Puerto Rico. She attended Savannah College of Art and Design where she studied Media and Performing Arts and Music. She studied Sketch Comedy/IMPROV at The Groundlings School, The PIT, UCB, and studied the Meisner Technique at Terry Knickerbocker. She moved to Los Angeles at the age of 23 to follow her dreams. In Los Angeles, she got her first agent, worked in production, and landed her first commercial job with Payless Shoes in which she became their spokesperson for a span of 10yrs and during that time she still shot several other commercials for known brands such as Nissan. A couple of years later she moved to NYC got signed with CESD for both OC and VO. She then landed several commercial VO's and stared on several Sketch Comedy shows/comedy musicals in big venues across NYC.
At the moment (01/12/2021), Alexandra is featured in "Attraction to Paris" a film that is out in Cinemas and Amazon in which she interprets the role of Carmen, an undercover agent for Interpol. She has a featured role in a film being featured in the film festival circuit interpreting a Drill Nurse in a Short Film about the "Comfort Women" during WWII called "Breaking the Silence”. 
In more recent news, this year she has starred in a feature film called “Chona 2: La Puerca Asesina” and a short film named “Stay”, both airing next year. She has also worked on several Voice Over gigs for known brands on Radio and TV, ADR works for an HBO show called “BETTY” and narrative work for GeoAmbiente del Caribe (National Geographic).
Alexandra has now signed with A3 Artists Agency, BMG Talent, and Encore Talent agency. Thanks to her amazing agents and her hard work she has recorded several Voice Overs, Commercials, Films and has done many Sketch Comedy shows across NYC at The Pit, Broadway Comedy Club, UCB, and The Magnet. 
Alexandra's passion for the arts does not stop there. She has a passion for music and singing and has been training hard for Broadway and in the process recorded a couple of original songs and performed said songs throughout NYC. She has recently finished shooting her first music video for her single "Round and Round" which is on all streaming platforms and local radio since February 11, 2021. At the moment she is in Puerto Rico writing, acting, and producing an original comedy web series that has recently been officially selected for the Official Latino Film and Arts Festival”.

Alexandra C. Echavarri’s website

SOUND DESIGNER - MIXER - COMPOSER

EDITOR CONSULTANT

Lars Wissing is a Copenhagen based editor with more than 18 years of experience.

Lars has edited several feature films, as well as award winning short films - including the ACADEMY AWARD WINNER “HELIUM”.

His work includes award winning television series The Killing and The Protectors.

He is currently editing the feature film I Kill Giants starring Madison Wolfe and Zoe Saldana.

Lars Wissing’s IMDb link

CAST AND CREW CREDIT LIST

Happy Box IMDb