Summer 2017 Week 10 & 11: July 16-July 30, 2017

Dorset, Vermont!

I had the greatest time shooting Silver Farm - a short film that incoming senior Juilliard actor and actress Scout James and Manon Gage organized/produced/wrote/directed. The action of the film takes place in a farm in Vermont where a cult who specializes in astral projection lives. We were in Dorset, Vermont from July 20-27, 2017 and we stayed in a beautiful house that overlooked the mountains. The shoot location was also in Vermont in a house and farm owned by Meadow Squier [@breezymeadowsorchards].

The shoot location was in the home and farm of Meadow Squier at Dorset, Vermont. http://www.breezymeadowsorchards.com/ Photo by Mairi McCormick

I wasn't expecting to act this summer. I feel as if I get slightly traumatized from all that intense work in Juilliard Drama so I really want to use my breaks to take a real break. However, this shoot would only take 7 days, unlike a production that usually takes 4-6 weeks to put up. Plus, I have always wanted to act in films. I just never had the safe space to explore and make mistakes in this medium. So when I was told that: 1) This project was conceived so that people can to learn to make a film without the pressure of turning it into any specific award-baiting thing; 2) Learned that I would be working with people I like which means it would be a safe space for me to learn and make mistakes; and 3) Was told that Vermont is a beautiful state filled with nature - I realized this confluence of circumstances was rare and I should take this opportunity. I'm so glad I did!

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Pictures of the house we stayed in, as well as the farm and house we used as our set, and some very well-behaved animals.

Lodging of the cast and crew of Silver Farm!

The view from the porch

The "attic" of the farmhouse.

Napoleon!

Anya (top) and Louie (bottom)

Various cacti at the back porch

The view from the farmhouse's back porch

Silver Farm set-up for the first exterior scene

Getting ready for Day 1

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I think working on this film made me realize the kind of people I want to work with, how I want to be treated in the work (and in life in general), and the kind of atmosphere that is conducive for my best work.

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The people of Silver Farm

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Most importantly, this experience helped me gauge where I am at and how I feel about myself in the craft. I'm noticing that the training has been more deeply embedded in my system compared to last year. There are less things I have to consciously "hold-up" as some aspects of the training have become second-nature. And that I'm slowly gaining more ownership of and independence in my process.

#SilverFarmFilm