"Forget-Me-Not"

Short Film #3 Behind the Scenes

Dear Reader,

Last month I was gearing up to direct two short films back to back (read that newsletter here). Well, both short films are shot. VICTORY!!!

We are in the post-production stage with both projects, and both are headed to festival submissions. For this newsletter, we’ll focus on Short Film #3:

“Forget-Me-Not”

Afraid of being forgotten, classic literary characters kidnap an influencer to up their marketing game plan.

Top row left to right: Bea Ochoa (actress), Robbie Valentine (actor), Molly Rose Meredith (actress), Paolo Masella (PA), Nora Hermez (actress), Lauren Skemp (actress), Marcus Doyle (actor), Christine Moutan (DP). Bottom row left to right: Sarah Sumpolec (producer, writer), Mercedes Khali (1st AD), Shayla Durbois (director).

The cast and crew for the 10-page short were phenomenal, and I absolutely would work with them again. Follow us on Instagram for updates on the progress of this short film. And now… behind the scenes!!!

ACTION!

Christine Mouton sets up for a dolly shot of Nora Hermez.

The actors were a delight on set, keeping the energy high in between takes.

Mercedes (1st AD) keeps us on target with our ambitious shot list.

Writer, Producer, Stunt Coordinator: Sarah does it all. Marcus makes it look easy.

Our fearless crew rigs up a practical light on the iPhone for some “found footage.”

Grace Shi, script supervisor (and fellow Harvard grad) keeps us on target with each shot. Scary good at her job, she found even the errors I tried to hide.

Does this photo even need a caption?

Christine Mouton gets all the angles. Gotta love our dolly shots!

Our sneaky producer got these shots of us in action.

Some outdoor shots.

Wrap Party! We earned it.

Directing this short with such a talented cast, brilliant crew, and phenomenal producer, was nothing less than incandescent. Personally, it set the bar high and I hope to repeat the experience on future projects. Sometimes, however, the stars align, and we have to just bask in the glow.

Adventure Awaits,

~S. C. Durbois

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The First Paper Cut: An Anniversary to Die For

Want to read a fun novel about the Hollywood lifestyle? I highly recommend this book by fellow Harvard Alumni, Camille Cabrera.

Vivienne Whittemore has the perfect old-money Hollywood lifestyle. She’s a blossoming actress in her prime with a husband widely regarded as one of the best screenwriters in the business. Life is good. The recently married starlet can’t wait to celebrate her first anniversary happily married to the man of her dreams. Of course, the only problem with dreams is that you eventually wake up.

The newlyweds sneak away to a cabin in Northern California to escape the prying tabloids. Before long, a freak snowstorm pummels Yosemite National Park and leaves the honeymoon party indefinitely stranded in the middle of the forest with limited power and dwindling supplies. Careful, the wildlife and unforgiving cold are the least of the perils lurking in the mountains. In order to survive, Vivienne must take on the most challenging role of her life, a dotting wife.

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S. C. Durbois Newsletter

• 1st Saturday every month: a new original short story.

• 3rd Saturday every month: a writerly check-in with updates.

• 4th Saturday every month: a new chapter from “Bohan the Mage,” a dark academic fantasy novel. Subscriber access only.