Danny Groh

Screening 10/15 at Stuart Cinema in Queens, NY as part of New Shorts On The Block at 7:30pm. TICKETS!

Every sticker tells a story. This is Stanley’s. Watch trailer here!

Danny Groh (Never Change!) wrote, produced, directed, and stars in Extreme Dream alongside Micah Sterenberg (Never Change!), Thomas Kelly (Monuments), Maggie Winters (The Righteous Gemstones), Devin Bockrath (Joe Pera Talks With You), Annie Donley (Joe Pera Talks With You), Joey Dundale (Party Time Party Time), Joey Dundale Jr (Coreys) and Carter Breeden-Villacorta (Stalled).

Additional Cast: Nick Woski, Sean McCarthy, Shelly Kangas, Roo Schurman, Ricardo Tenorio, Allison Calteux, and Calleb Lollis

Crew: Director of Photography: Diya Mark / Editor: Kevin Ralston / Production Design: Jolee Mallmann / Assistant Director: Adam Smith / Sound: Walter Barry / Still Photographer: Bailey Laird

It was New Year's Eve 2025 and I felt creatively inspired to begin a new project. However, I wasn't sure which of the many things I was developing was right since much of it was pretty dark and I didn't want to go in that direction at the moment. On New Year's Day 2026, it hit me like a blast of light and I returned to the concept for my first short film, Danimal, which originated from a Google Docs deep dive into my character archive. I rediscovered the first character I had ever performed in Chicago at Holy F*ck Comedy Hour at the Annoyance Theatre, Sticker Stomp'N Stanley, a failed extreme athlete. I wrote the outline and set off to find a team to work with on the film. At the time I was in Wisconsin and had always wanted to film in my home state, so I found some amazing local indie filmmakers and production began in February. After wrapping production in Wisconsin, I sent the footage off to my fellow filmmaker and friend Kevin Ralston to start editing. After watching the footage he had some really cool ideas for additional scenes which he wrote and helped direct in New York City.

Extreme Dream takes you on an inspirational journey through one man's rediscovery. It shows us that no matter what you've gone through in life or how old you are you can still achieve your dreams.

I wanted the filming style to create a visceral feeling, as if the audience were moving along with the subject through mostly handheld camera work. This also lends itself to the fast pace of the character and his journey, which takes place within a single day. Music is so important to me in setting the mood of each scene, which is why it is used throughout the entire film: see it, hear it, feel it.

I embody all of my characters with truth to my own life's journey, which is why I wanted to direct this project. I feel it is so important to tell stories like this to show the world that no matter where we are in life we have the inward strength to do anything.