Katie Wahl

I created two videos pertaining to the soul: one to investigate, one to inspire. The first, Soul Searching, was a four minute documentary on what I believed the soul was and the second video was a four minute trailer for Splitters, a potential film project that I hope to create with an actual crew and professional cast. This project is an exploration of the idea of a soul, and using the medium of video narrative I intend to convey the concepts of duality, humanism, fate versus free will, and the notion of choice.

Artist Statement:
My name is Katie Wahl and my ambition is too big for this tiny world. I live, breathe and dream about films. While I sleep, my dreams have dramatic camera angles and an impressive score, constantly berating my mind with inspiration. I find myself split between Hollywood conventions and artistic influences. Since I am aware of both styles, I will one day be able to meld them into a whole new style; one that appeals to the idea of “entertainment” yet will hold more sophistication and ideals than an egg cup.

Resume:

Resume

Selected Images:

Process and Learning

At first, this project was a rocky road. It seemed like nothing would work out; from actors disappearing, storyboards not working, and the script being a huge mess, it seemed everything was going wrong. The original idea to have the first fifteen minutes of my planned film (Splitters) was thrown away at the midpoint, and replaced with the idea to make a piece about what I think the soul is (later this became “Soul Searching”) and a three to five minute trailer about Splitters.

It was incredibly difficult to do all aspects of a film, even two so short as these: writing the scripts, making the costumes, scouting for locations, auditioning actors, doing photo-shoots, planning camera angels, making storyboards, designing characters through sketches…in an essence I was a one person film team. Making a trailer for a film that did not exist was also a mind-blowing task, inasmuch as I had to somehow think of all the scenes in something that wasn’t even conceived.

I learned that weather, especially Michigan weather, is incredibly unpredictable and forces a person to think more creatively about how to solve a location problem. Since time was of the essence, shooting had to be done quickly. We (the group of actors and myself) found a place to shoot that was not as damp as others, and I had to modify a plastic bag to keep the camera safe from rain. As a learning experience on the whole, it was amazing to actually delve into every aspect of film and video making. Finally I got a taste of being a director…and I loved it.

After over 38 hours of editing, the piece ended up coming out fantastic. I learned about the flimsiness of unpaid actors, the tediousness of script editing and storyboard making, and how to bring a concept more concisely to life with perfect planning and organized thoughts. I have never written a script for any of my videos prior — I would simply improvise the words on the spot. But seeing the ease that writing a script created, I now know the value of it and will use this skill for my future.

Above all else, I gained a pride in myself; knowing that I can do every aspect of making a film is one that lifts a huge weight of doubt off my shoulders, and places me high on a pedestal of self confidence and sense of self worth.

All voice overs have also been finished.

Now to special effects and editing. D:

The weather was beyond poor last weekend, and it looks like the weather might want to try that nonsense again this weekend…so we’re going to try and film as early as possible.

The key is to get as many of the outside scenes done both in the sunlight, and during the day. However, if clouds roll in and it starts to get dark and mysterious, I can use that too. On the other hand, I have good equipment rented from the Digital Media Commons in the Duderstadt that I don’t want rain to ruin.

Here’s hoping that my actors arrive in time.

I started playing around with a few of the images, and here was the rough photoshop.

As per shooting, hopefully it will all be done this weekend. I have no doubt in my mind that we shouldn’t be able to. Please weather, don’t crap out on us again.

If I am going to change anything, it will be to cut out shapes from the deep black parts. Ex: fire from within the fire one or lightning bolts, etc.

I bought the robe at Wal-Mart for $10 (each), and bought different hoodies. I removed the hoods from the hoodies (each $20) and attached them via sewing machine on to the robes. The overall effect is really pleasing and I feel that it looks similar to the drawings I made.

There is a zipper, two pockets, and now a hood. I will be adding the symbolic decals over the next few days.

Note: This is just a trailer for Splitters, and as such doesn’t really contain detailed shots. I apologize for the crudity of the drawings.

If anyone would like a copy of the script (for the trailer) please let me know.

The rest of the story is in progress.

Looking for cheap wigs, robes, and vine props.

I met up with the video studio coordinators in a conference room in the Duderstadt at 4:30 pm. There were lots of people that I worked with from Pat Oleszko‘s “Gulliblurr’s Travels” performance piece who remembered me and were eager to hear my idea.

This was the first hard step towards getting the ball of progress really rolling. It was fantastic to feel respected enough to have five different people (including Jeff Alder, and Jacques Mersereau) in a committee sit down and have a meeting just for me and my project.

I even have a professional screenwriter who wants to look at my script (Jacques) and give it a once over. It was a high compliment that he seemed so interested and excited for my project.

The purpose of the meeting was to set up the “professional” auditions that will take place in the video studio in the Duderstadt. I got times and places settled and many of the logistics (such as how much time people need and how much of their body will be showing, what will be behind them, etc). I will have access to a high grade HD camera and fantastic sound equipment.

All of that aside, I also had a third audition today. Thus far there have only been females. I hope that I can get at least two men to balance it out. The theatre students give me great performances. This last one from Sango Tajima was really chilling…in a good way.

So, overall a productive day. I just have to finish that script…and soon!!

Both auditions were recorded on camera, and both were on separate days.

This was the key information to the auditions:

What to Bring:

-A short (3-5 minute) monologue (preferably dramatic, can be comedic, dark, etc)
-A physical copy of your face shot with your name under it
-An idea of possible characters sought to play

Information:

-Attire is not important
-You will be recorded on camera
-Keep monologue under 5 minutes
-Send in approximate availability times on audition dates the week before
-If applying for Lai, memorize the attached section
*Note: Currently accepting male or female actors for part
-Please see the following pages for current roles desired.

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This is a look at the characters:

Real World:

Gail An 18-22 year-old girl born in the heart of Detroit. She grew up with an abusive father and an alcoholic mother. She has a younger brother and a younger sister and took it upon her young shoulders to take care of them. To deal with her problems at home, she developed a taste for petty crime. Little did she know, each misdeed tore bits of her soul apart.

Jack and Liz Gail’s younger brother and sister. Ages 8-16.

Harassed Teacher (Age 20-40)
Students (Ages 18-25, approximately 20-30 needed)
Bullied Kid (Age 18-25)
Cronies (Ages 18-25, approximately 2-5 needed)

Splitter World:

Lai A “Splitter” who remembers the day of “its” creation as “waking from the
(“Lie”) darkness”. “It” comes into being in the middle of a meadow at the edge of a forest, wondering who “it” is, and simply exploring “its” body. Lai doesn’t feel emotions, but has memories of them from its “Donor,” Gail. “It” has white-silver hair, and bright blue eyes. Lai is our protagonist.

Caje A “Splitter” whose power is the element of lightning. He finds Lai and
(“Cage”) takes it back to the main headquarters of the Phoenix, or an elite order of Splitters. Caje is a battle-hardened brute on the outside, but has the heart of a loving sibling on the inside. He has ear-length dark brown hair with hints of blood red in it. His eyes are pure black.

Lord Sulex A “Splitter” who chose a graceful form. He is the leader of the Phoenix
(“Soo-Lex”) organization and has power over the element of earth (or terra forming). He comes off as a kind man, but ends up being cruel and merciless. Sulex is obsessed with his appearance, and his main hall is lined with mirrors.

Varying Splitters (3-5)

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So, the auditions are coming up the 18th and 19th. These two auditions were a great start.