I've realized that the ability to change someone's perspective through artistic expression is one of my most powerful, driving forces in this lifetime. I hope you enjoy some of my favorite moments and projects from the past year of my filmmaking journey. It's truly incredible what can be created in just 12 months.
I am the Writer, Director & Executive Producer for the short film, "Lucy's Kingdom". This particular trailer still needs color correction & the final musical score is different. To be finished within the month.
A Human Canvas is a process documentary assignment that I produced, shot and edited for a documentary production class in Fall, 2018.
Above is my first independent videography project. I directed, shot and edited this promo over the past month for a Vegan Food Tour in Tokyo called, "The Veggie Trail". This was my first experience working one-on-one with a videography client.
"Crystal Eyes'd" Shot & edited a short, simple story for my editing class.
Below are 15 photos of my photography to showcase my style and creative vision.
Visual Storytelling (Storyboard through photographs)
Writing Sample
Excerpt from “The Field”
FADE IN:
INT. OLD WOODEN COTTAGE - LATE AFTERNOON
We follow behind a frail old man to see his cluttered, cozy study. His desk is centered under a large, dusty picture window with golden light flooding through crevices. Racks of hundreds to thousands of brass lockets extend from wall to wall. The old man, HENRY, 60-70, open ethnicity, shuffles in while polishing a locket. He reaches the racks nearest to the window and presses a button. The racks creak & rotate until he finds the correct section. HENRY scans the top of the rack with a crooked finger until he lands on the right year and letter. Facing his left profile, we see him smile, quietly chuckle, and close the locket. He puts the locket on it’s hook. We now see his face for the first time as he scans the lockets once more. His hand lands on a new locket. He closes his eyes as he holds the locket and takes a breath. Glowing, golden light seeps through his fingers. He opens his eyes. They twinkle and are bright with inspiration. HENRY takes it off the rack and sits down at his desk. He opens the locket and jots a few things down in an open journal. There is a large, complex Rube Goldberg machine on the desk. He takes out a small, iridescent marble from the locket and studies the way the light dances through it. He places it at the top of the machine. As the camera follows the marble through the contraption, opening credits play.
EXT. BUS STOP - DAY
A city bus opens its doors to a dreary, gray, windy day in Chicago. Horns honk, steam floats away from the bus. Two patrons exit the bus before we see LORNA, 47, African American, zip her jacket to protect her from the cold. She hasn’t bothered to change out of her scrubs. She steps out from the bus and a flier hits her leg. She glimpses at its words briefly, which read, “Have you smiled today?” She frowns, crumples the flier into a ball, and tosses it in the trash. Tired and introverted, she weaves her way through the busy sidewalk.
MAN(O.S.)
CHICAGO TRIBUNE! Local woman finds
happiness through community and love.
Don’t miss out! You can find it, too!
LORNA looks over to the newspaper man, bothered. HENRY, now dressed in a tan trench coat and black fedora, smiles at her and offers her a newspaper.
HENRY
Miss?
LORNA
Oh, no thanks, I haven’t got any
cash.
HENRY
No bother, miss, here’s one on me.
LORNA
No really, it’s okay.
HENRY’s eyes sadden. He extends the paper out further.
HENRY
Please.
LORNA diverts her eyes to the people swimming by, then
snatches the paper. She looks at Henry, perplexed.
LORNA
Thanks.
LORNA stuffs the paper in her bag and turns to continue walking. HENRY calls after her.
HENRY
It’s a great story! You might even
know the lady inside!
LORNA is weirded out. She looks back at him.
HENRY
(shouting above the city noise)
Have a beautiful day!
LORNA turns forward and walks further down the street. Shakes her head. Her phone rings. She pulls it out of her purse. It’s her sister, DELLA, 43. She answers.
LORNA
Hello?
DELLA
Hey, sis. How are ya?
LORNA
Tired, but I’m hanging in there. I’m on my way home, now.
DELLA
It’s 8AM! How long were you on shift?
LORNA
13 hours. Covered an overnight. Nothing too crazy, though.
DELLA
Alright, well, get some rest because I’m cooking up a real nice meal for you and the family tonight. Nina wants to celebrate Anthony’s birthday.
LORNA
Honestly, Della, I’d rather not. I’m not feeling up to being around people right now…
DELLA
No, Lorna, you need to be around people today…
LORNA slows down and stops. She looks out to a park with children playing on a playground. She is lost in thought.
DELLA (Cont’d)
Lorna? You hear me? Just come over tonight. My kids can’t wait to see you. Nina won’t stop talking about how she wants to show you her new paint set and I think she even—
LORNA
Yeah. yeah.
(beat)
I’ll make it work. I have to drop off the hospital donations at the women’s shelter tonight, But I’ll—
Lorna swallows as she tries to push down her swelling emotion.
LORNA (cont’D)
I’ll see you tonight.
DELLA
Okay, honey. See you. Love you.
LORNA
Love you too.
Lorna hangs up the phone and keeps walking. She glances in a cafe window where a dad sits with his children, drinking coffee and hot chocolate. A young child smiles at her while he/she licks his/her lips. LORNA half smiles back, and turns the corner.
EXT. CITY STREET - DAY
The wind gusts on this street and she grabs her clothing to brace herself. Another flier flips through the air and lands on her chest. LORNA groans. She rips it off her chest and tosses it aside as she walks. Another one flies and hits her in the face. She bats it away.
LORNA
Jeez!
LORNA looks up to the sky, which looks like it’s about to rain.
LORNA (CONT’D)
What?!
(Beat, quietly)
What do you want from me?
A passerby looks at her, concerned. Lorna notices their stare. Embarrassed, she picks up her pace. She finally reaches the front steps of her house. She sees a flier rolled and stuck through her doorknob. Lorna looks at it for a moment before she grabs it and opens the door. As she shuts it behind her, she looks into the house. We see that it is dark, simple and quiet. Lorna sets her things down on the side table and flops onto the couch. She rubs her face with her hands, turns on a lamp, and sees a photo in a frame. It is a photo of Lorna with her son ANTHONY, 8 and Husband MICHAEL, 42. They are happy and smiling. She sadly smiles at the photo, remembering that day. She clutches the frame to her chest. Emotion wells up and she turns on her side. LORNA stares out to the emptiness around her while a tear runs out of her eye and sideways to her hair. She blinks her eyes slowly until she falls asleep.
Thank you for your time and consideration!
