Creating Inspiring Media
Back in October 2010 I was asked to create a documentary about refugee students in my hometown, Lowell, Massachusetts. That documentary turned out to be Hard Truth, Levity and Hope. After over half a year since its completion in June 2011, it is now available online.
Please share this 26-minute documentary with others to spread the word about the current conditions for refugees in the United States. You can also view Hard Truth, Levity and Hope in my portfolio.
Sunday, January 8th, 2012 was the first day of filming our short film, Reality Check. While it got off on a rocky start, the shoot went really well! One of my teacher’s former students, Georgia Pantazopoulos – who worked on several films such as The Invention of Lying and The Fighter – stopped by and was tremendously helpful! She brought her skills as a gaffer and lit the scene beautifully.
The scene we shot was actually the toughest one. It takes place at a high-class restaurant. Back in late November and early December when producer Jacquelyn Diaz and I were looking for a location, we took a look at La Boniche in downtown Lowell, Massachusetts. It turned out to be a perfect location for shooting! Plus, it was the same restaurant where a scene from The Invention of Lying was shot.
Still photographer Samantha Shemchuk was also there for our first day and took some great photos. Here are a few of them (click to enlarge photo):
One of the setups for scene four of Reality Check.
Reviewing the script before the cameras role.
Director, Connor Crosby, explaining a shot to actors Christopher Dobens and Kayena Patel.
Actor, Christopher Dobens - who places Jake in Reality Check - makes a funny face at the camera.
Gaffer, Georgia Pantazopoulos, discusses with director, Connor Crosby, about lighting for a scene.
Actor, Christopher Dobens, with makeup artist and boom operator, Molly Blier.
Actress, Kayena Patel - who plays Jennifer in Reality Check - waits patiently for the director to yell "action!"
Producer, Jacquelyn Diaz, smiling for the camera.
Director, Connor Crosby, testing the camera slider.
The food for scene four, prepared by Davira Kuy and Connor Crosby.
Actress, Kayena Patel, was cold during the shoot.
Director, Connor Crosby, operating the camera while producer, Jacquelyn Diaz, operates the boom mic.
To stay up to date with Reality Check, be sure to follow @Crosby_Studios on Twitter and become a fan of Crosby Studios on Facebook.