The Rut
Logline: In the Deep South, a young cis man takes his trans girlfriend to his father's hunting cabin but struggles to reconcile these two parts of his life.
Short Film Synopsis: During the annual deer rut, Jack invites his girlfriend Mia to his family’s hunting cabin, intending to introduce her to his father. However, upon their arrival, Jack’s father has not yet arrived. In an attempt to pass the time, Jack suggests they go deer hunting, but their efforts prove futile. As they return to the cabin, tensions arise, and Mia confronts Jack about his father's absence, suspecting he may have lied about the meeting.
Unexpectedly, the next morning, Jack’s father arrives, and Mia chats with him over breakfast while Jack sleeps. As they depart later that morning, Mia shares that Jack’s father was warm towards her and expressed pride in Jack. The film concludes with Jack confidently embracing Mia in public in his small town, signifying a newfound connection and acceptance.
Release Date: Pending, 2025 Film Festival Circuit
OUR STORY
The heart of The Rut lies in the personal experiences and connections of its core leadership: Conner Dodenhoff, Mike Lindle, and JL Perkel.
Dodenhoff, drawing from his own life, upbringing in the South, and personal dating experiences, penned the script, infusing it with raw emotions and complexities of a father-son relationship.
However, it was JL Perkel's invaluable contribution that took the story to new heights. As a trans woman who has lived through similar experiences, JL brought a profound understanding to the character of Mia, shaping her into a complex and dynamic lead that resonates deeply with the audience.
Executive producer Mike Lindle also brought his unique perspective, with personal experiences involving a trans family member, guiding the film's message with sensitivity and acceptance.
Together, the collaborative efforts of the team behind The Rut have created a powerful and authentic narrative that touches on the personal journeys of each of its creators, reflecting the diverse and meaningful stories within the trans community.
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Agency Workflow
Concept Development
Distribution + Marketing
Earned Press Media
Production Methodology
Original Script IP
Directing + Producing
Custom Music Score
Cinema Skillsets
RED Raw + Cine Prime Lenses
Heavy Lift Aerial Lighting
Camera Car + Steadicam
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Conner Dodenhoff is an arising filmmaker and a graduate of the University of Southern California. With a decade of industry experience, Dodenhoff has had the privilege of assisting directors like Jack Bender and Dexter Fletcher on acclaimed shows and films, including Peacock TV's Mr. Mercedes, Paramount TV's The Offer, and Apple TV's Ghosted. Under their mentorship, he nurtured his aspirations to become a director himself.
Fletcher and Bender's experience as actor-turned-directors informed Dodenhoff's directing style, emphasizing performance and actor relationships. Paired with Dodenhoff's writing ability, this allows unique, character-driven performances in his projects.
In his creative endeavors, Dodenhoff has penned more than 10 feature-length scripts. He also showcases his talent in crafting brand stories for commercial and corporate productions.
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Mike Lindle brings a wealth of experience from his previous employment at Deloitte, where he excelled in managing data analytics projects and overseas teams serving numerous Global Institutions and Fortune 500 clients. His passion for filmmaking sparked during his weekly corporate travels, where he filmed specialty UHD B-roll of skylines and scenic landscapes, focusing on aerial, drone, and timelapse cinematography in his free time.
During a transformative gap year, Mike founded Framework Films and successfully sold his first two contracts to Microsoft. Since then, he has served clients such as Netflix, Amazon, Chanel, Dior, and Azuki; he hasn’t looked back.
Driven by his creative vision, Mike turned his eye towards producing narrative film and documentary productions, immersing himself further in the filmmaker track. With a dedication to storytelling and a commitment to excellence, he continues to make a mark in the industry, blending his corporate expertise with his passion for innovative film technologies.
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JL Perkel is a trans actress, writer, and producer with a BFA from the University of Houston. As an apprentice at the Florida Studio Theater, she cultivated the tools necessary to work on projects beyond just performing and a love for all facets of mounting a production. Additionally, her advocacy work for GLAAD has fueled her desire to continue the fight to support our most vulnerable communities.
Her involvement in The Rut went beyond her co-lead role as Mia. She brought paramount guidance to the project, contributing to the development of her character and adding overall depth and authenticity to the film's narrative.
JL's talent and dedication to her craft earned her a BWW Cabaret nomination for "Butterfly: The Farewell Concert" for Best Special Event, Solo, and the title role in the off-Broadway production of Emily. She is currently working to develop and star in her own TV series.
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Jack
Played by Felix Merback
Jack grapples with a flood of emotions when he steps back into his hometown. Returning home stirs many sentiments, but it's the prospect of introducing his trans girlfriend, Mia, to his father that gives him the most pause. Jack is deeply devoted to Mia, yet he must keep his promises to her if he’s going to hold onto the woman he loves.
Mia
Played by JL Perkel
Radiating confidence, Mia embraces her true self with pride. Her connection with Jack marks a milestone in her post-transition journey, the most profound romantic relationship to date. Thrilled at the prospect of meeting someone’s parent, Mia's usual patience and charisma dwindles as Jack avoids the topic of his father's presence. She won’t be hidden away like the past relationships, especially with someone she’s come this far.
Henry
Played by Todd Sullivan
A taciturn southerner hailing from a small town, Henry is firmly anchored to his roots. His reserved nature and piercing gaze often mask a surprising facade – a charismatic man armed with dad-jokes. His affection for his son is undeniable, though expressing it remains a challenge. Bridging the generational and cultural divide that sets them apart is a struggle, yet the relationship is built on love.
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Genre: Drama
Production Year: 2023
Country of Origin: USA
Language: English
Run Time: 16 Minutes
Screen Ratio: 2.39:1
Sound Format: Stereo
Sponsors: Kingston, LumeCube, East Bay Deli, Verde, San Miguel
PROCESS
Full Length BTS Video Coming Soon.
This video takes viewers behind the scenes of "The Rut," unveiling the meticulous process undertaken by the Framework Films team to capture the heart and soul of this narrative while amplifying the voices of the trans community. Enjoy watching our 14-person crew navigate between on-site creativity and deep technical insight.
The project was shot entirely on the RED V Raptor in 7K with Tokina Vista Prime cinema lenses. One of the film's most compelling scenes comes alive through an in-camera practical effect. A 10,000-lumen aerial lighting rig, mounted on an Inspire 2 drone with a custom Stratus LED rig, adds a layer of realism and intensity. This pushes creative boundaries in modern cinema and heightens the emotional impact of a pivotal moment in the film.
Beyond narrative, Framework Films showcases the tools and technology that bring such a production to life. Aputure and Quasar light kits, ultra-fast Kingston hard drives, Dana Dolly, Steadicam Zephyr system—the equipment is not just a means to an end but integral components chosen for their role in creating The Rut.
The Rut stands as a testament to Framework Films' commitment to authentically portraying underrepresented community narratives. This behind-the-scenes video reveals a collective effort to amplify trans voices and spark essential conversations about acceptance, love, and the transformative power of storytelling.
BONUS MEDIA
Custom 10,000 Lumen Aerial Spotlight
A quick look at how Framework Films used our custom aerial lighting rig for The Rut.
Animated Title Sequence + Closing Credits
Leveraged LGBTQ+ color theory and a font that resembles interlocking antlers.
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