The Hatbox

A concise, wordless debut from Greg Mottola—who would later helm *The Daytrippers*—this 1985 student short was crafted during his time at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, where he handled direction, cinematography, and editing. The film stands as an early, stripped-down experiment, showcasing the visual instincts he’d refine in his feature work. With no dialogue to lean on, it relies purely on image and rhythm, offering a quiet glimpse of a filmmaker finding his voice behind the camera.