MEDIA
As Producer
Original musical films written and produced with Art Beyond the Ink
Guided by the belief that music tells stories, each film’s plot is directly inspired by the music, thinking about questions like:
Does the music make us think of a color, an image, or a character?
How does the piece make us feel, and does it have an emotional arc?
If this piece were the background music in a movie scene, what would be happening?
These films primarily serve as visual tools in community workshops on creative listening and musical storytelling, but they have also been screened independently for audiences.
Watch our current films below:
Sketches of Love
Each day, a shy artist visits her favorite park to sketch her beautiful surroundings. When she notices a girl on a bench across from her, she lets her mind wander. Will she gather the courage to talk to her, or will they only dance in her daydreams? Listen along as the violin and piano bring to life a charming, art-inspired romance.
Music: Violin Sonata in A Major, mvmt. 1 by Cesar Franck
Director & Editor: Em Messana
Director of Photography: Claire Haughey
Dancers: Izzy Hanson-Johnston & Julia D'Angelo
Musicians: Edward Li, violin + Artyom Pak, piano
AD: Lu Fine
Sketch Artist: Isabella Roca
Sketches of Love was screened at the Backyard at Hudson Yards in June 2021 for Pride Month.
Find Me in The Clouds
Find Me in the Clouds animates the dream of a young girl and her mother as they climb up into the clouds before facing the world down below, based on Nizar Bredan's piano solo, "Journey". Music: “Journey” by Nizar Bredan
Musician: Nizar Bredan, piano
Director of Animation: Jorinde Hol of Studio IJlie
In support of SHARE, an organization for women's cancer support
Find Me in the Clouds was selected as a finalist in the 2022 Canberra Short Film Festival and was screened on November 15th at the Smith’s Alternative in Canberra, Australia.
Mouse Trap
Mouse Trap pairs Katie Jenkins' duo for flute and piano "Constructions" with dance to comically depict protagonist Ruby's irrational fear of mice and her panic when she sees one in her kitchen while preparing for an anniversary dinner. Music: “Constructions” by Katie Jenkins for flute and piano
Director & Director of Photography: Kenneth Sousie
Dancer-Choreographers: Jessica Ferretti and Jake Vincent
Musicians: Ji Young Kim, flute and Lucia Li, piano
Assistant Director: Baylee Brown
Production Designer: Kayley Saade
Gaffer: Claire Halloran
Editor: Lu Fine
When The Bell Rang
Inspired by Ziyi Tao's "收铁人" (Ironware Collector) for solo guitar, When the Bell Rang recounts the story of a young man who returns to his childhood home, only to find it abandoned.
Music: “收铁人” (Ironware Collector)* by Ziyi Tao
Director: Xiwen Miao
Director of Photography: Moss Rios Rehm
Starring: Leon Qin, Romo Lee, John Squires, Mingjie Li, Chang Liu, and Tran Nguyen
Musician: Ziyi Tao, guitar
Assistant Director: Baylee Brown Production
Designer: Kayley Saade
Gaffer: Claire Halloran
Art Production Assistant: Ella Murray
Editor: Lu Fine
The Treasure Hunters
Follow a group of young friends as they search for hidden treasure! Our friends travel the neighborhood, battling storms, monsters, and other surprises along the way in search of an ultimate prize. X marks the spot in this pirate-themed adventure - join the hunt!
Music: David Maslanka's 3rd Wind Quintet, mvmt. 1
Illustration & Stop-Motion Animation: Hazal Mestci
Musicians: Rebecca Schifilliti, flute; Yejin Kim, oboe; Emmalie Tello, clarinet; Devin Cohen, bassoon; Sarah Morris, horn
Unbreakable
Empress is an outcast. Even though she keeps to herself, her clunky, metal form sticks out in the glass world she lives in. Will she ever see that her unbreakable power is just as valuable as delicate beauty? Listen along as the bass clarinet and piano premiere Jens Ibsen's contemporary classical work, narrating a journey of self-love and empowerment.
Music: Empress by Jens Ibsen
Illustration and Storyboard Art: Rick Troula
Musicians: Emmalie Tello, bass clarinet & Yifei Xu, piano