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Short film · 9:01

1UP

There is no respawn. A film by Ed Halstead.

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1UP — film artworkWatch the film on YouTube Full film · Opens on YouTube
01 / The story

About the film.

Liam leaves his video game to buy an energy drink and walks into a robbery that mirrors the game’s mission. In real life, he cannot respawn.

Format
Short film
Running time
9:01
Filmmaker
Ed Halstead
Channel release
26 March 2023
YouTube views · as of October 21, 2026
2,145
02 / Behind the camera

Meet the filmmaker.

Portrait of Ed Halstead
IMDb profile photo; photographer not credited

Ed Halstead

Ed Halstead is a writer and director from Solihull, England, who graduated from the New York Film Academy’s MFA programme in Los Angeles in 2018 with 1UP as his thesis film. His later work includes Broken Strings and writing and executive-producing Together Alone.

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03 / More from the film

Around the work.

Screenplays, production photographs, cast and making-of notes are added as they are verified. Here is what this page holds today.

04 / On screen

The cast.

Eric Pierce — publicity portrait
Photo source
Liam

Eric Pierce

Eric Pierce trained in performance at the University of Michigan. His work spans screen and stage, with film credits including The Vigilante, The Eastsider and the lead role in 1UP.

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05 / Making the film

Behind the story.

Giving the game a sound.

344 Audio created the sound assets for the video game featured in 1UP and integrated them into the film’s world. Much of the collaboration with Halstead took place remotely, with part of the work completed during a UK visit.

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06 / The people behind the film

Made together.

Written & directed by
Ed Halstead
Sources & further reading 6 references

Release and profile information is drawn from the sources below. Photo sources are credited alongside the images.

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