Sequoya Henry Grant Story
Sequoya Henry Grant Story
Filming an Experimental Short Film: Gender and Societal Norms
Inform the Way Young Adults Interact
Receiving the Newcomb-Tulane College grant allowed me to complete my capstone project for the Digital Media Production Major. I created an experimental short film based on the idea that gender and societal norms inform the way young adults interact in friendships, and NTC’s assistance allowed my vision to come to life. My film features two groups of friends, one group of masculine-presenting people who struggle with emotional regulation and intimacy, and one group of feminine-presenting people who struggle with individualism. As they navigate their friendship through time, audiences are encouraged to seek deeper connections in their own lives, transcending societal norms.
Directing my film was an anxiety-provoking, although wonderful, experience. I did a great job choosing crew members that would be encouraging, kind, and respectful. After every beautiful shot, they would cheer on the director of photography and actors with me. One of the actors had never been on screen before, and they were a bit worried that they would look awkward, or that the close-up shots wouldn’t look nice, but the crew understood that reassurance would help their experience, and when I would praise the actor or the lighting or the camera crew, they would too.
I learned I really like calling “action.” Being in that much control of the picture and acting was thrilling. I was nervous when I first got onto set and I was unconfident in my directing. It was difficult having to explain the actions and emotions I wanted my actors to portray because my script is largely metaphorical, but the experience I gained was priceless. I look forward to getting the opportunity to further improve my skills in directing outside of Tulane. I also learned that I enjoy the pre-production process.
Being able to register my film with the actor's union SAG-AFTRA not only gave me confidence in my organizational and communication skills but steered me toward the production jobs I want to pursue in the future. Above all, I’m most proud of being able to connect people who didn’t know each there, yet had similar experiences. All of my actors and some members of my crew shared the experience of being nonbinary, and it was wonderful to hear the actors saying they should “stick together” because of their shared identity. Even on screen, you can tell how much fun the actors are having with each other, and most had met just hours before the camera turned on. Making a film about friendship facilitated friendship, and that is more than I could’ve ever hoped for.
