Every great creative starts somewhere. Before they established their names and built a reputation, these artists first got their feet wet in all kinds of projects that, while seemingly small at first, helped build the foundation for their talents. For rising actor and honorary Filipino Hudson Williams, that was in short films. Most may know him these days for his breakout role in Heated Rivalry or his outgoing and interesting personality, but as recently as last year, he was a young actor from Vancouver, Canada, trying to make a name for himself in the industry.
Hudson, who earned an acting certificate from the Film Arts program at Langara College in 2020, has acted in over two dozen short movies, some of which he also wrote and/or directed. Some of these movies were made while he was still in school, while others were as recent as just a few months before Heated Rivalry started airing. However, they all showcased the many sides of his acting capabilities and the passion of a young actor now achieving his dreams.
The best part is that many of the shorts he’s done were with a circle of friends, classmates, and other creatives he’s built relationships with in Vancouver. Whether you’ve been smitten by the Gen Z actor or are curious to know more about a rising star, check out a selection of Hudson’s short films below.
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SUPER SUPPORT – Even Superheroes Need a Support Group
This comedic short centers on a group of people part of a support group for former superheroes who have lost their powers. Hudson plays the interestingly named Land Leopard while dressed in a sleeveless leopard print top and short shorts. As the group tries to find a new purpose without their powers, things get naturally wild with Hudson giving it his all as a scantily clad former superhero. It’s dumb fun in the best way possible and feels like a segment from an episode of The Office. The sequel, meanwhile, introduces the concept of former supervillains who lost their powers, and the result is as chaotic as you’d think it is.
CHAD GPT – Having Your Own Servant Bot Is a Good Idea, Right?
Think of an episode of Black Mirror, but make it comedy, and that’s the premise of this short about a couple who get an AI-powered humanoid chatbot for their home named ChadGPT. The short doesn’t take long to showcase its irreverent side, with a naked Hudson making a strong first impression, but it also features a funny story in how the wife and ChadGPT start developing feelings for one another.
Buttons – The Lover Archetype Explored Through a Pussycat Dolls Odyssey – Buttons Is a Bop
If you thought Shane Hollander was an out-there role for Hudson, then you need to watch some of his short films, such as this short he starred, wrote, and directed. In it, he plays Albert, a young man who seemingly can’t excite his girlfriend, Esmeralda, anymore. That is, until he meets his alter ego Fab, and with the help of Buttons by The Pussycat Dolls, Albert learns to unleash his inner sex drive. Hudson delivers a dual performance here that showcases his stoic and wild sides quite well.
Snow Angel – A Young Drug Dealer Tries To Make It Big
Sex and comedy aren’t the only genres Hudson Williams is good at. He can also deliver more mature and dramatic roles, such as this performance in this short crime-thriller. Serving as Hudson’s debut as a short film director, the movie centers on a young drug dealer named Trevor, hoping to make a name for himself in the industry. But ambition and overconfidence take over as he quickly finds himself in deep trouble over the course of one night. What’s notable about this short is that Hudson gives Trevor a disarming charm when we first meet him, but then reveals a hidden darkness that would make for a great villain.
Off Objective – Hudson Williams in His Spy Era
Hudson has made it no secret that one of his dream roles is playing Nightwing. And if you wanted to know how he’d fare in an action role, this short gives a taste of the potential. Hudson plays a spy on assignment to free a hostage, but he soon realizes that he may have gotten his order wrong. The movie has a student film charm to it while delivering an effective and comedic plot twist.
Hold your Back – A Relationship Turns Toxic
Showcasing a more dramatic turn from Hudson, this short film is about a couple’s breakup that quickly turns violent. It gives a peek into how emotionally chaotic toxic relationships can be, with hate and resentment in one moment and love and forgiveness in the next.
DOGGING – Man’s Best Friend
If there’s one thing Hudson will do, it’s commit to a role, like the time he played a dog (yes, really). Shot in the style of a Vice documentary, the short follows a journalist interviewing people who do dogging, which is described as the act of humans pretending to be a dog for a variety of reasons. Hudson plays one of the human dogs, and he gives it his all while dressed in nothing but underwear and a dog collar. The short is a good example of Hudson’s skills with physical comedy, in how he doesn’t need dialogue to get people laughing.
Over the edge – A Man’s Struggle With Mental Health
Mental health takes center stage in this short starring Hudson as Cory, a young man having dinner with his best friend, Shawn. Over the course of the movie, we learn that Shawn has been spending less time with Cory because of his girlfriend, and it’s a problem exacerbated by Cory’s mental health problems. Hudson gives a performance that’s equal parts stoic and broken as Cory becomes the vessel for the importance of being there for your friends.
Photo and Featured Image: VANITY FAIR (via Instagram) and CRAVE
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