Synopsis

Just as a dad and his teenage daughter arrive at the park to play basketball, Dad’s work lures him away via an endless text conversation, forcing his daughter to shoot hoops by herself. Thankfully, the mystical powers of the universe step in to create an impossible scenario: no matter where the daughter shoots the ball on the court, it always goes in. Intrigued, Dad finally places his phone down and joins his daughter on the court, discovering that the magic works for him too. Unfortunately, Dad’s phone isn’t quite done with him - setting up an epic choice: tending to that important text conversation - or connecting with his kid.

Director's Statement

BUCKETS is my opportunity to do something I've never done: realize my own personal vision of a

story and direct it! I've been lucky enough to work in entertainment for all of my career, being an advocate on behalf of the many incredible stories created by others. But I've always been there to elevate the visions of others, never my own.

BUCKETS is a comedy-fantasy film. It happens from time to time. Just as I've committed to spending time with my kids focused on something they are excited about, my phone notifies me - with its dreaded "Bloop" - that an urgent text requires my immediate attention. Bloop. Bloop. Bloop. It's incessant. One text becomes two, then three, then four, and before you know it, instead of spending time with my kids and connecting with them, I'm distracted by an epic, digital back-and-forth. And while I've been focused on that text debate, my kids have been waiting. Waiting for my attention. Waiting to connect and bond with me. Waiting for me to be present.

BUCKETS is a story of hopeful wish fulfillment: that the universe will step in and lure a workaholic

dad away from his phone long enough to authentically connect with his basketball-obsessed daughter. It highlights the cinematic magic of an impossible basketball court: where, no matter where

you shoot, the ball always goes in. And the only thing that can break that magic is an annoying Bloop and an infinite work text conversation. What's at stake? The relationship between a Dad and his Daughter.

BUCKETS is personal to me. Magic has never lured me away from my kids to spend less time on

my phone and more time with them. But like all of us, I'm trying. I've sat on that bench in BUCKETS (quite literally) and regretted not leaving it to connect with my kids. I went to film school and entered the entertainment business specifically to write and direct, but life happens, and I ignored my own dreams out of fear of not being able to create something meaningful. After the encouragement of others, I decided to do it and attempt to make my vision a reality. This is my short film, BUCKETS. I hope you enjoy it! And thank you for your consideration!

Crew

Dan Lubetkin - Writer/Director

Dan Lubetkin has been a non-writing executive producer, TV development executive and TV production executive for over 15 years. At Avalon Entertainment, he was a co-executive producer on Comedy Central’s WORKAHOLICS and helped launch HBO’s LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER. At Blue Ant Media, he executive produced Netflix’s THE HEALING POWERS OF DUDE and Youtube Premium’s THE SIDEMEN SHOW. He is also a married dad with three kids that love to play basketball.

Jenica Bergere - Producer

Jenica Bergere is a visionary producer known for her ability to bring compelling, character-driven stories to life in both TV and Film. Her impressive body of work includes FOR WORSE (premiering SXSW 2025), UNSUPERVISED (SCAD), SPARE ROOM, COME SIMI (Hulu & Paramount+) and the recently finished production, MERMAID. Among her many successes as an actress and director, BUCKETS stands out as a career-defining collaboration with director Dan Lubetkin and resonates with her own dedication to authenticity and a passion for storytelling as a producer.

Grant Smith - Cinematographer

Grant Smith is a Cinematographer based in Los Angeles. After shooting his first television show,

WORKAHOLICS, Grant has gone on to shoot numerous TV shows, movies, commercials and

other projects. Some of his latest works include ABC’s charming series NOT DEAD YET, and

the acclaimed, bilingual comedy ACAPULCO for Apple TV+.

Gerrad A. Holtz - Editor

Gerrad A. Holtz is an accomplished editor and colorist with over 25 years of industry experience. His resume includes a wide variety of work including reality television, music videos, multicam award shows and stand-up comedy. He is also co-owner of Geiger Post, a full-service post-production facility in Hollywood. Originally from Illinois, he has a degree in Radio/Television/Film from Northwestern University.