Ever hated your job? This guy literally quit his to make an indie short film about it
As a welder turned filmmaker - Christopher Ihlenfeldt discusses his indie short debut, "Bad Boss Theory" and the universal anxiety of a summons from the boss.
Welcome, Kraken fans, to another deep-dive interview! Today, we're swapping the usual filmmaker's beret for a welding mask as we chat with Christopher Ihlenfeldt, the co-director of the short film Bad Boss Theory.
Chris's path to filmmaking is anything but conventional. He started out mastering the art of welding at Everett Community College before a career plot twist led him to trade sparks for storyboards. Since plunging into the Seattle film scene in 2016, he's worked his way up through various on-set roles.
The Kraken Film Fest chatted with Chris to unravel the mystery behind his co-directed indie student project, Bad Boss Theory, a short film that candidly explores the special kind of terror that is a summons to the boss's office.
We talked about his journey, the challenges of a no-budget shoot, and the most important lesson for surviving a deserted island (or a toxic workplace).
Christopher Ihlenfeldt
By Sharon Grace Badia
Published on August 26th, 2025
Here's our top 10 questions with Christopher
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Here's our top 10 questions with Christopher 🐠
10. To start off, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background in the film industry?
A. To Begin, I started in the industry kind of late at 25 years old. Most people start earlier or go to film school. I originally went to school for welding at Everett Community College in the PNW. I finished the degree and had a change of heart in career field/dreams. I started to pursue film/tv industry. In 2016, I started freelancing in the local Seattle film industry, and haven't look back. Along the way keep taking college classes to improve my craft as producer.
9. What led you to decide to co-direct Bad Boss Theory, and how did this project come about?
A. When I started Seattle film institute, I had to make a short for a class assignment. I met Michael Neff, during the class and decided really quickly I wanted to work with this guy on the short. We bonded and worked well together. Made Bad Boss Theory as a result.
8. How would you describe Bad Boss Theory to someone who hasn’t seen it yet?
A. It explores the work life relationships of co-workers. One man’s bad day, and being called in to his bosses office. It's bit of mystery in itself to what is going on.
7. Given that this is a student project and your first time directing, what were some personal challenges you encountered during the making of this film?
A. Since neither of us had ever worked on a project like this before, we gained a real appreciation for how difficult it is to make a short film. The stress involved created a huge learning curve. Having no budget was a major constraint, but it forced me to think outside the box to solve problems. I would do it again and do it better.
6.You’ve worked on many projects in various roles—how has your experience as a production assistant and assistant director influenced your approach to directing this short film?
A. Learning from past productions taught me the standard rules, dos, and don'ts. This experience proved that time management and detailed planning are essential.
5.What was the most rewarding moment during the production of this film?
A. Finishing it and calling it my own, then showing it to a theater audience, is truly rewarding. My intention is to bring joy to everyone who sees it.
4. What was your biggest challenge on set, and how did you overcome it?
A. Budget and Time crunch to complete it.
3. How did your collaboration with Michael Neff shape the creative direction and final outcome of the film?
A. Thanks to the incredible trust and bond we shared, everything went smoothly. Without any egos, we focused solely on doing what was necessary to complete the film.
2. If your boss suddenly turned into a character from Bad Boss Theory, what’s the first thing they’d do that would make everyone scream “Yep, that’s a bad boss film”?
A. Tone and attitude towards you. No one likes a mean boss.
1. If you had to survive on an island with only one lesson from Bad Boss Theory, which one would you pick?
A. The importance of collaboration over tyranny. We would survive by working together, not by being mean to one another.
