Pursuing Film - A Portfolio of an Emerging Filmmaker

ONCE UPON A TIME A CLOWN FELL IN LOVE WITH A BALLERINA

SYNOPSIS

A curious toy clown discovers a box while sweeping the floor one day. Innocently investigating he clumsily discovers that it is more than just a box it is opened revealing a dancing ballerina. The clumsy clown drops the box but claims it and retires with it to his room for repair. The sudden discovery seems miniscule when he stumbles upon an even greater sight through the curtains backstage. A real toy ballerina! She dances for the audience and the clown has never seen such beauty. Within the confines of the toy maker’s circus the ballerina is the star attraction. Her life seems limited until one day she too is curious to make the acquaintances of the clown. Marveled and enchanted the two get along.

The meeting does not excite the toy maker that not long ago finished creating the ballerina and has become quite taken with her.

The characters question their lives owed to their creator and try to follow a faithful existence while unable to ignore their feelings of love for each other. Against the toy maker each must face as their feelings for each other cause them to choose their fate. The clown attempts a brave duel over the one he loves but the toy maker proves too powerful for the clumsy toy controlling the clown’s every move until finally destroying him. The toy maker spins huge promises of stardom around the ballerina but as much as she wants them she can’t ignore her brave clown who fought to be with her.

With a wink the ballerina flirts and plays with the toy maker. His attention is all hers while she smiles and dances, stopping to almost kiss him each time closer and closer. The toy maker blinded by the ballerina fails to catch the final act that he never sees coming.

The toy maker now limp and lifeless like a toy without love is only a backdrop to the ballerina and her clown.

CAST BIOS

Anita Nittoly - Ballerina

Anita Nittoly is a graduate of the Humber Acting for Film and Television program. She started her career as a dancer and choreographer, and during her time in college found a natural talent for film combat and stunts. She attained her Advanced Actor Combatant certification from The Academy of Dramatic Combat and has since undertaken film and television stunt work, as well as theatrical fight direction with Havoc Stunts. Her recent credits include “Blood”, “Boss of Me”, Book Club”, “The Statement”, “Charon’s Obal”, and “Under”.

James Snetsinger - Clown

Mark Dwyer - Toy Maker

As a Graduate of Humber College in Graphic Design, with some acting school classes under his belt, Mark could not ignore his desire to become an actor so after graduation he took a Pre-Theatre course at Humber College and began working in the Canadian Film Industry.

He has appeared in such productions as Jasper Texas, John Q, Mean Girls, A New York Minute, Assault on Precinct 13, Four Brothers, The Sentinel, Fringe, Repo Mombo, The Incredible Hulk, Da Kink in my Hair and The Boarder, just to name a few.

He has been in many Independent and Student Films as well, such as Scoundrels of Faith, Piaco Beach and Under Wraps, The Bloody Parchment of Bosh, Vampire Trials, Passing Reactions and Star Searcher. Mark has even appeared in commercials for Satellite Radio, Verizon Wireless, Coke, Showcase Television, Captain Morgan Rum and many more.

"My aim is to do the best that I can with my characters which simply means pushing them as far as possible".

CREW BIOS

As a young filmmaker Christine is hoping to emerge into the Toronto film industry as a scriptwriter and assistant director. After her graduation from Humber College’s Film and Television Program she is hoping to develop her own independent projects, including a feature length documentary and several shorts. Christine has volunteered for the annual Toronto Screenwriters Conference 2 years in a row sponsored by Meridian Artists. She has also worked as a student mentor story editing for her classmates assignments and personal projects.

Christine Nixon - Assistant Director

Michael Szczucinski - Director of Photography

Since High School, Michael Szczucinski has had an interest in filmmaking. Finding his place in camera operations and cinematography, he hopes to continue on to become a camera assistant and eventually a director of photography.

Steven Field - Camera Operator

Steven found his calling taking photos and short videos of his friends at the local Skate Park. He continued into editing his skate videos eventually pushing him to immerse himself in every media studies program available while attending Turner Fenton Secondary School.

With a film studies elective in the 4th year proving inspiring, Steven pursued Humber College's Film and Television Production Program, interested in what else film had to offer. At Humber College he worked on many different films in rolls covering all departments of the film creating process. A recent graduate of the program he has held onto his love of film production with an advanced skill set in camera assisting and operation, cinematography, picture editing, sound design, sound recording, dialogue editing and mixing.

Jessica Odendahl - Art Director

Jessica Odendahl has always loved movies and wanting to have the experience of the many facets of production, Jessica enrolled in Humber College's Film and Television Production Program. It was here that she focused on production management and producing. Stepping out of her usual management role, Jessica tried her hand at art directing for a silent short film, "Once Upon A Time A Clown Fell In Love With A Ballerina". Having the opportunity to work creatively was a welcome break from all of the usual paperwork and working with such a passionate crew made the experience unforgettable. Now graduated from Humber College, Jessica plans to pursue working in the management of film production.

PRODUCTION NOTES

Filming was done over an intense four day period. The set was produced from scratch in the studio where it was to be shot. The theatre stage was constructed from 5 sections of table fastened together and reinforced with wood. Toronto carpenter, Dave Gerencer, constructed corners that rounded the section of tables and with the addition of a snap-together wood floor and red velvet curtains, the toy maker's circus was born.

Once the stage was assembled, vintage red velvet theatre seats were positioned before the stage completing the theatre set.

The "backstage" actually had to be constructed behind the theatre seats, in the same room as the theatre. The rest of the wood floor was positioned and lengths of black curtain were used to act as walls. The make-up mirror with all of the ballerina's props and the toy maker's table, tools and trunk were then added creating the toy maker's shop.