Private Project

Wasted Talent

“Wasted Talent” follows four high school teens who are thrown into detention after a fight. These boys from different worlds come together through their love for music and songwriting. However, their newfound bond is brought to a halt by the harsh reality of the world they come from.

  • Derrick Benton
    Director
  • Derrick Benton
    Writer
  • Derrick Benton
    Producer
  • Sonia Conlin
    Producer
  • Alexis Lisa Rivera
    Producer
  • Chetan Cutting
    Key Cast
    "Marcus"
  • Amber Janea
    Key Cast
    "Natalia"
  • Ahmad DeChalus
    Key Cast
    "Louis"
  • Dexter Phillip
    Key Cast
    "Jashawn"
  • Omari Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Dario"
  • Ines Gowland
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 7 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 7, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    40,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4:3
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Syracuse International Film Festival
    Syracuse, NY
    United States
    October 22, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Nashville Film Festival Screenplay Competition
    Nashville, TN
    United States
    October 5, 2021
    Finalist
  • Lake Placid Film Festival
    Lake Placid, NY
    United States
    October 22, 2021
    Finalist
  • Silver State Film Festival
    Las Vegas
    United States
    October 28, 2021
  • Snowtown Film Festival
    Watertown, NY
    United States
    February 19, 2022
    2022 Best Narrative Short
  • Lonely Wolf International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    April 29, 2022
    United Kingdom
    Nominee
  • Blackbird Film Festival
    Cortland
    United States
    May 20, 2022
    Award Winner
  • BGR Film Fest
    Washington DC
    United States
    July 2, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Montauk Film Festival
    Montauk, NY
    United States
    July 26, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Florence Film Awards
    Florence
    Italy
    September 5, 2022
    Italian Premiere
    Honorable Mention
  • AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM MARKETPLACE AND S.E. MANLY SHORT FILM SHOWCASE
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 19, 2022
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Derrick Benton

Derrick is a Brooklyn native and graduate of SUNY Oswego with a B.A. in Cinema Screen Studies. He dedicated most of his coursework to film theory, philosophy, and storytelling through the medium of screenwriting. In 2018 Derrick received an award for outstanding screenplay at SUNY Oswego for his Senior Thesis script “Acid Rain”. His stories often explore themes of identity, existential anxiety, and social inequality.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I first thought of a "Wasted Talent" I wasn't sure what that phrase meant to me. I sat down for days trying to muster the words on paper. I remember sitting with my friend Pete one afternoon, we talked about dreams and how everyone has them but only a few pursue them. Borrowing from Will Smith, 100% of people have dreams but 99% of people won't put in the work to make their dreams come true.

I thought back to my days in high school- the time that would shape my future. This normally is an exciting time for young adults, but when your path is uncertain or takes a turn, it can make or break you. I chose one path and it brought me here but there are many kids out there, talented & bright with dreams they struggle to obtain because of the systematic obstacles placed in front of them. This story is for them and all of the marginalized kids who were told they can't amount to anything.