Screenplay
Lark (work in progress):
LOGLINE:
A rigid classical violinist battles the traditions of her family in order to become a successful musician and develop her own voice.
Courcelle Durand, the daughter of prominent jazz musicians, is a rigid classical violinist who plays by all the rules. However, since her acclaimed violin teacher died, she has bombed out of her promising career as a concert violinist. When her teacher’s widow breaks her arm and can no longer teach at the Durand’s afterschool music program, Courcelle’s headstrong mother demands Courcelle lead the rag-tag group of kids. Courcelle must battle her mother’s vision, the traditions of her family, and her own vulnerabilities as a woman and artist to become the singular violinist she is meant to be.
Film Work
Artist Statement
The stories in my 16 mm narrative films unearth resonant human moments, through drama and humor, to find sense in the world. In my past work, I placed children in significant roles because I am interested in the power of children’s “work,” which is play. Through play children decipher life’s rules, joys, and pains by testing how different choices work or do not work. This process structures one’s worldview and patterns one’s adult life. Thus, the presence of a child’s perspective in my work spurs the viewer to interpret a moment as if for the first time, reinforcing my fundamental filmic purpose to capture the simple challenges and beauty of ordinary life.
Neil and the Nun
2004, 28 minutes
Pelican d’Or Short Film Festival, Silver Award, fiction
New Orleans Film Festival
Long Island Film Festival
Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival
Cleveland Independent Film Festival
Columbus International Film and Video Festival – honorable mention
Rode Island International Film Festival
Neil and Suze are two rascally fourth grade detectives who spy on their cantankerous teacher, Sister Mary Myrna.
Feeling picked on in class, Neil and Suze retaliate by nosing into Sister's private life. Covert investigations, "expert" spy techniques, vengeful behavior, snide classmates, and an unfair teacher all contribute to a fun and serious film on growing up. (27:34)
Stills from Neil and the Nun
La Cuoca (The Cook)
2002, 29 minutes
CINE Golden Eagle Award
New Orleans Film Festival
"Why aren't I blackberry jam?" Young Audra's listless lack of purpose meets the aimless seclusion of the older widower, Charles.
In La Cuoca (the cook), these two from different cultures and generations move one another to take the first steps to new lives in new worlds. Charles offers her a reinvigorated identity through cooking. Audra motivates him to new purpose. (28:27)
Stills from La Cuoca (The Cook)
Other Selected Film Work
as Assistant Editor to Tim Watson of Ariel Montage
Assistant Editor
Member of the Club promotional trailer
By Invitation Only directed by Rebecca Snedeker
Additional Editor
Walker Percy: a documentary film directed by Win Riley
The Music’s Gonna Get You Through directed by Gabrielle Mullem
Land of Opportunity directed by Luisa Dantas
Vows of Silence directed by Jason Berry
Member of the Club directed by Phoebe Ferguson
Grants
2010 Creative Capital Professional Development
2009 Louisiana Division of the Arts
2009 Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation