mae & august
During my last semester as an undergraduate, I collaborated with my friends Thomas Sochan and Juliana Schuyler to produce a short film entitled "mae & august." I wrote the screenplay and also worked as the director, casting director, and wardrobe coordinator.
synopsis
mae & august, a girlfriend/boyfriend music duo, have just been signed to Montas Records. With a debut EP in the works and a gig on the horizon, the couple has a bright future ahead of them. However, August is struggling with his vision, making it difficult to play the piano during a routine practice session with Mae. The next day, August secretly visits an ophthalmologist and is diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease that leads to blindness. The following day, the duo begin recording their EP with the iconic Nick Montas, but struggling to see clearly, August makes several mistakes. Frustrated, Nick fires August, opting to use a "professional" pianist to record the EP. Mae confronts August, embarrassed and disappointed with her boyfriend's poor playing. Their future with the label is on the fine. August reveals his tragic diagnosis to his shocked and saddened girlfriend. While at home, Mae decides she's not going to let August give up on himself and on their career. She ties her scarf around his eyes as a blindfold, instructing August to master their song without his sight. The following week, Mae and August perform their latest song at a music venue. August plays the piano flawlessly to an excited, cheering crowd.
production stills
shadow
I cast the female lead for a Pace University student film. Using Breakdown Express, I wrote character breakdowns, created audition sides, and reviewed talent submissions and Eco Cast self tapes. The film won Best Fiction at Pace University's 2018 Media, Communication and Visual Arts Showcase, an annual screening of curated student work.
forever young
I wrote and directed Forever Young and worked on the camera crew. The piece served as a collaborative final project from the production course, Cinematography One. The film follows Marty and Margie, an elderly married couple who still see each other as teenagers; they are forever young.