DANCES WITH FILMS NY 2026 REVIEW! In writer-director Elijah Guo’s short film, Ready for My Close-Up, @ClassyCass (Rivers Duggan) is a social media influencer just shy of 1 million subscribers when she discovers that her internet rival, @PrettyBritt (Sonya Balsara), has just surpassed the milestone. Not to be left behind, Cass goes live with a quick makeup review before revealing her latest “vintage shop” treasure: an old film projector she swears is a game-changer.
Setting the projector in front of her camera, she watches as it mysteriously activates. When Cass returns, silver screen legend Norma Desmond (Kathleen Hogan) stands in her living room. Freaked out at first, Cass uses the moment to show Norma her Instagram livestream; when Norma steps in front of the camera, she becomes a viral sensation. She can’t get enough of the social media attention as Cass’s chat feed lights up. This newfound fame gets to Norma’s head, and both she and Cass see each other as someone they can use…or someone who’s in the way.
Norma Desmond (Kathleen Hogan) goes full old-Hollywood intensity in Ready for My Close-Up.
“When Cass returns, silver screen legend Norma Desmond stands in her living room.”
Ready for My Close-Up draws obsessive parallels between fame and the need for attention among today’s social media influencers and the Golden Age stars of the past. That dopamine hit is an addictive drug, and we will slit throats to get it.
Ultimately, Elijah Guo gives us an ironic, Twilight Zone-style minisode as a cautionary tale about modern fame. Running just over 11 minutes, Ready for My Close-Up sets the stage immediately, then glides smoothly to that thought-provoking button at the end.
"…draws obsessive parallels between fame and the need for attention..."
