Tempest’s Edge | Film
The inspiration.
When the world became virtual with covid (2020), in-person dance classes and rehearsals moved to the digital space too. Although beautiful in theory, the reality was often stark and disconnected.
Tempest’s Edge was my active declaration that digital media could be used for connection and storytelling.
I wanted to make an aesthetic dance film that spoke through a 2D medium. Seth Williams worked hand-in-hand with me to flatter the dancer’s movements and authentically convey the characters in grief.
The story.
This film speaks about the collective loss we faced during the pandemic and my own personal journey through grief.
Tempest’s Edge encourages the viewer to be patient with themselves. Loss can be something as huge and profound as losing a loved one, seemingly small and insignificant as a broken pencil, or abstract and intangible as the death of a dream. This was my experience with grief as a child-young adult, especially that grief follows no particular order. I would often experience emotions in random unexpected ways.
The creation.
After receiving funding from the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Emerging Artist Grant, I reached out to several videographers and musicians to collaborate.
Jenna Yeager composed and arranged the score. Seth Williams shot and edited the film.
My initial vision for the film was an overhead shot of a dancer lying on the floor, sinking into blackness - still, except for slight movement from the camera.
Seth ran with this idea. The camera truly plays a role. Jenna ran with this too, writing a melody that ends in hope.
I choreographed four separate pieces of movement for the dancers - Jessie Arnold, Sarah Anne Dinkins, Annie Ross, and Hannah Williams. Most of our rehearsal time was spent workshopping, improvising, and playing into the “acting” role of each character.
Each costume was thrifted, designed, and/or sewn by me, with the help of my grandma (and seamstress), Amelia Preiss. Each color choice, rip, fabric, and texture is intentional.
We filmed in a carpeted university classroom, transformed into a performance space with transportable marley flooring, window black outs, smog machine, lights, and lots of help. So thankful for those who lended supplies, space, food, and prayed for this project. Grateful to the dancers, Jenna, and Seth for the beautiful collaboration we made.
Tempest’s Edge was complete May 2022.
From the Process.
