A Faded Star (2022)
Co-Writer/Director
Logline: In an attempt to revive her career, an aging actress retakes the stage for a final performance as she struggles to remember the lines.
Working with Director of Photography Isabella Garcia and Producer Natalia Corzine.
This project was originally created for my grandmother, a former stage actress, to be her final acting job. However, having planned to shoot in March of 2020, it was forced to be postponed. Unfortunately, before we could get production back on the road, she passed away. After this, it allowed me some time to reflect on the story. I was thinking about how to apply some of my grandmother's outlook on life in it. I always remember her talking about wanting to be remembered for her best moments and not her last moments when she felt she was at her worst. Finding a way to work this into the script helped make this film more personal. I decided to make this project my senior thesis in her honor. Making this film a reality has been very important for me, allowing me the chance to add to the legacy my grandmother leaves behind.
This production was an amazing way for us to bring 4 years of schooling to end with this senior thesis project. The crew behind this production was made up entirely of students who made the film feel like a very professionally run set.
Getting access to the 100-year-old Lucas Theater for this film was a truly special achievement. With it locked we decided to treat it almost like a character in the film, allowing its age and beauty to speak to the audience by showing it off in a few wide shots.
We also had an incredible cast for this production. Knowing this film wouldn't work without a tremendous actress to portray Elizabeth, we set out on the ambitious journey to cast. After we cast Skip Corris as Jack, he recommended an actress, Carol Dines. From the moment she entered the casting room, we knew we had found our main actress. With each take and scene on set, she only got better and better, truly bringing this film together.
With actors Hannah Smith, Jena Ziomek, Carol Dines, Skip Corris.
Directing Documents
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Genre: Drama
Running Time: 8’
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Screening Formats: 4k H.264, 4k DCP
Shot on RED Gemini 24p, original format 5K
Language: English
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Writers: Romano Natale, Jack McMillan, Miles Donihoo
Producer: Natalia Corzine
Director of Photography: Isabella Garcia
Assistant Director: Jack McMillan
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Carol Dines-Rothenburg as Elizabeth Baker
Jenna Ziomek as Ava
Skip Corris as Jack
Hannah Smith as Amelia