LA ShortsFest - The Ballerina, Her Shoemaker and His Apprentice
1930s London, a lost young man George stumbles into the refined world of ballet pointe shoemaking and learns to earn his name.
Interview with Writer/Director Eva Ye
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Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I studied ballet through my childhood and early teen, I made this movie to say a formal goodbye to it.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This film is a celebration of art and craftsmanship, of the hard work one puts in to support something beautiful and flawless on the outside, I believe many of us can relate.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
It started from a very dry piece of story about a dedicated ballerina, a much cheaper and shallower version of The Black Swan, to a story about the shoemaker who makes pointe shoes for the ballerina. And rather than heavily implying the love interest from the shoemaker to the ballerina, the story instead evolves in a more platonic way to keep things more imaginative.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It's a very visually appealing piece. It's very subtle.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Not really, but I believe I haven't really dug out what people really think that needs work, sometimes people are just too polite to give harsh criticism.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Thank you for having me. I hope more people will hear about this film and be interested in knowing more about the world this film is built upon.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I'd like people to go see some ballet, to pay more attentions to the craftsmen who make your boots, wallet...
What are you developing or working on now?
The writer/director Eva Ye is working on a feature length story with the Anthony Meindl Acting Studio. She is also going to work on the new season of Scream Queens's directorial team in the coming months.
Interview: September 2016
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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The Ballerina, Her Shoemaker and His Apprentice
1930s London, a lost young man George stumbles into the refined world of ballet pointe shoemaking and learns to earn his name.
Length:
16mins
Director:
Eva Ye
Producer:
Michael Schwarcz
Writer:
Eva Ye
About the writer, director and producer:
Eva was born and bred in Southeastern China, a scenic town of Hangzhou. She began pre-professional ballet training at the age of 9 and it has taken a special place in her heart ever since. She moved to the US in 2007 in pursuit of her B.S. in Finance and Math at University of Maryland, and she relocated to Los Angeles in 2012 to pursue her dream as a filmmaker at University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.
Key cast:
Nicholas Podany
James Oliver
Oliver Goodwill
Chelsea Paige Johnston
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
distributors, buyers, journalists
Funders:
Friends and Families.
Made in association with:
University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
Release date:
May 15, 2016
Where can I watch it in the next month?
We are screening at LA Shorts Fest on September 6 at LA Live, will let you know more.