THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
We made Anytime At All with a small team, big hearts, and one unshakable belief — that imagination can heal.
Shot within a single summer week in Lake Elsinore, CA, the film mixes live action and animation to bring Jake’s world to life exactly the way a child would see it — colorful, messy, and full of meaning. Every frame was treated like a memory: imperfect but honest.
From Grant’s first audition to the final day of shooting, this film reminded us why we do what we do. It wasn’t about the gear, the money, or the stress — it was about connection. About a crew of strangers who became family, chasing one idea together: that even our darkest stories can still shine.
Anytime At All isn’t just a short film — it’s a love letter to creativity, grief, and growing up. It taught me that filmmaking isn’t about perfection. It’s about the people who believe in the story enough to bring it to life, no matter how small the set or how late the night.
SHOTS FROM FILM
ORIGINAL SONG
“Somehow”
Written & Performed by
Dylan Keir
Music Composed by
Rachel Willams
© 2025 Play Pretend Originals. “Somehow” written & performed by Dylan Keir. All rights reserved.
MEET THE CREW
JOSHUA KEIR (Writer/Director)
Joshua Keir has been telling stories since he was seven years old — long before he ever picked up a camera. What began as childhood curiosity turned into a lifelong mission to create films that mean something — stories that are strange enough to feel new, true enough to feel personal, and kind enough to feel human.
As the writer and director of Anytime At All, Joshua set out to explore how imagination helps us process grief and find light in loss. He believes filmmaking isn’t about chasing perfection, but about finding connection — between audience and artist, between fantasy and truth.
Through his company, Play Pretend Originals, Joshua and his partner Melody Oyuki are building a new kind of studio — one where every story, no matter how small, has a voice.
MELODY OYUKI (Cinematographer)
Melody Oyuki grew up surrounded by film — watching from behind the scenes as her family worked in the industry, she saw both the beauty and the barriers that came with it. Rather than being discouraged, she made it her mission to change the system from within.
As the cinematographer of Anytime At All, Melody brought a deep emotional sensitivity to every frame. Her camera doesn’t just capture images — it listens. She believes the best cinematography doesn’t just show what’s happening, it shows how it feels.
Together with her partner Joshua Keir, Melody co-founded Play Pretend Originals to create a space where filmmaking is driven by heart, not hierarchy. Her vision is clear: help people tell their stories — especially the ones who never thought they could.
DANIELA SOPHER (Camera Operator)
Daniela Sopher is a Cal State Northridge graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Television Production and an emphasis in Cinematography. She is a director and cinematographer with a strong visual voice, known for blending technical precision with emotional storytelling.
As both an Executive Producer and Camera Operator for Play Pretend Originals, Daniela plays a key role in shaping the look and feel of each project. Her work on Anytime At All reflects her commitment to collaboration, authenticity, and the belief that every frame should serve the heart of the story.
JEAN-LUC
(Gaffer/Colorist)
Lighting and color are Jean-Luc’s canvas. A painter with mechanical tools, they bring a cinematic eye and a storyteller’s heart to every frame. A graduate of a San Diego film program, Jean-Luc has spent years honing their craft in both narrative and technical filmmaking — from writing and directing independent projects to shaping the visual language behind others’ stories.
As the gaffer and colorist for Anytime At All, Jean-Luc’s work transforms raw footage into emotion — crafting images that don’t just look beautiful, but feel unforgettable.