An Interview with Sam Pinnelas, Director of Trevor Hurt Someone

by Mike Haberfelner

February 2026

Films directed by Sam Pinnelas on (re)Search my Trash

Your new movie Trevor Hurt Someone - in a few words, what's it about?

It's a short film about a confrontation between two best friends, one of whom doesn't remember sexually assaulting the other the night before.

What were your sources of inspiration when writing Trevor Hurt Someone, and is any of it based on personal experiences or the like?

It is unfortunately based on true experiences and conversations. but amalgamated into a single event.

Trevor Hurt Someone was pretty much entirely filmed at just one locatiion - so what were some of your techniques to keep things visually interesting throughout?

First it was important to get an incredible cinematographer, Matt Kleppner. The way he and his team lit and filmed the bar made it 100% more interesting. And keeping the visual language simple but actor-focused was the goal so that we didn't have to do any tricks to keep attention, just let the guys do their thing.

Do talk about your overall directorial approach to your story at hand!

Most of the directing was in the prep work. We got the actors together to talk about their characters, and we had a good plan with the camera team to shoot it. Everything came down to letting people know what I wanted ahead of time, and then I don't get in their way when it's time to execute.

What can you tell us about Trevor Hurt Someone*s cast, and why exactly these two?

Alexander Aguirre and Nikolai Soroko are incredible, and they should be on their way to stardom (if I had my druthers). Niko had the tougher job because his character can be played in so many ways, so when looking at auditions, we had to figure out who we thought had Trevor in his bones from the start. Alex was the only person whose audition made us cry, so we were pretty certain on his casting right away.

You of course also have to talk about the bar Trevor Hurt Someone was filmed at, and what was it like shooting there?

We filmed for 2 days at NoBar in North Hollywood, California. It is a wonderful space owned by a great guy named Paul. We didn't have to worry about any additional set decoration or props, since the bar had everything we needed. It was the perfect cross between a dive bar and a lounge, kind of like the place you'd have a rowdy drunk birthday party at night and then a calm beer the next afternoon.

A few words about the shoot as such, and the on-set atmosphere?

Because we only had 2 days, the shoot pace was fast and workmanlike. However, despite the serious subject matter, we had a lot of fun and laughed a lot. In a way that respects the material, I like to have fun on set, especially when people are going through it. That said, when Alex had to go to some deep dark places, so when he needed his time to get there, we all made sure to be quiet, calm and respectful.

The $64-question of course, where can Trevor Hurt Someone be seen?

It is currently unavailable, but I am hoping to make it available to the public soon. Keep an eye on the socials for Too Lemon for updates.

Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of Trevor Hurt Someone?

Every audience takes something different away. One crowd really honed in on Alex's work and especially his turn in the the third act, while another more technical crowd shared kind words about how much production value there was considering the nature of low budget short films. But almost all the feedback I've heard has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive.

Any future projects you'd like to share?

Going in the complete opposite direction, my team and I are producing a live theatrical sketch comedy show that will be going up on March 17th. Once again, keep an eye on Too Lemon socials for that.

What got you into filmmaking in the first place, and did you receive any formal education on the subject?

I always loved film and TV, more than just a regular kid who wants to be entertained by cartoons until bedtime. When I was 13, I watched The Dark Knight opening weekend, and I realized where art and commerce met. Finally, around 16 I fully committed to film as a discipline when I had to start looking into colleges to apply to. I went to Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, which was a wonderful place to cut my teeth and figure out exactly what art is out there and where my voice can fit in.

What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to Trevor Hurt Someone?

Besides a dramatic short film I made in the heat of the 2020 lockdown, also set in 1 location with minimal cast, most of my work has been comedy short films or sketches. I was even the lead for the creation of comedic advertising material for the animal-free dairy brand Bored Cow. My paid work came from mostly post production jobs on TV like The Goldbergs, Upload and Shogun, among others.

How would you describe yourself as a director?

That's a question for my collaborators. But if I had to say something, I'd say I take my work seriously but not myself.

Filmmakers who inspire you?

I got into this because of Christopher Nolan and Adam McCay; I've stayed in this because of Chloe Zhao and Kelly Reichardt; and I want to persist into the future because of Yasujiro Ozu and Steven Spielberg.

Your favourite movies?

My Letterboxd top 4 is The Dark Knight, Spotlight, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Tokyo Story. If I can have a second top 4, then I'd say Up, Ikiru, Columbus and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.

... and of course, films you really deplore?

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Sam Pinnelas at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Sam Pinnelas here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai

Your/your movie's website, social media, whatever else?

You can follow me @Pinnelas on Instagram, and you can follow my production company @TooLemonProductions or go to our website TooLemon.com

Anyting else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

I want to give an enormous shoutout to my friends and colleagues at Too Lemon, and I couldn't have made this film without my life (and sometimes work) partner Julie Meghan Brown.

Thanks for the interview!

© by Mike Haberfelner

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