Arrival of the Starling (2013)

Griffyn learns that her grandfather has secrets in his past. Her curiosity peeks when he passes without leaving many clues for her. Griffyn journeys through a labyrinth which feels more like a dream than modern day reality. This project is part of a trilogy and is currently a work in progress. 

The Workflow

This project explores a concept that is feasible if we allow what we witness in our dreams to unfold into the real world—a dream reality. In order to further deconstruct this notion, ADC utilized our natural thirst to think outside the box. We employed many unique, but still tangible, devices to transform the screenplay into a visual menagerie.   Notably, we wanted the camera to be in some form of movement for 75% of the film. This enhanced the perspective of the dream experience; the protagonist is a voyeur with little control over what is actually happening. We utilized a dolly/jib combo and a well choreographed cast to achieve this composition. Settings change drastically, which brings further attention to the dreamlike landscape. It was pertinent for each location to have a certain color temperature so that our audience could relate to the illusion of experiencing either a dream or a nightmare. Arrival of the Starling was part of the 2013 Intermediate Film Production curriculum at the University of California, Irvine. Lecturer, Liz Cane, served as the faculty advisor who monitored the creative development of the entire project. There are numerous symbols within the film. We did not want to have a concrete ending, as this project is part of a work in progress. Arrival of the Starling is the last installment to this cinematic trilogy, so we urge you to keep watching! Arrival of the Starling garnered much acclaim in the festival circuit and was part of the 2014 Official Selection of ITSA Film Festival.   THE TEAM: Director/Writer: Abbey Abeynayake Executive Assistant: Kelley Choi Director of Cinematography & Cinematography (Unit 1): Neil Abeynayake Cinematography (Unit 2): Brocton Jobin Crane/Jib Operator: Sean Abeynayake Gaffer: Robert Wills Script Supervisor: Nua Watford Cendra Sound/ADR: Christina Hernandez Boom Operator: Alonzo Johnson Production Assistant: Erik Funke Casting: Gypsy Media Studios Color Correction: Abstract Digital Cinema Composting/Vfx: Mystique Pacific Editor: Abbey Abeynayake UCI Advisor: Liz Cane UCI Support: Matt McCabe & Eva Yonas Set Design: Jessica Schmedes Lead Stylist: Naghmeh Ghafourian Hair/Makeup: Vania Fernandez & Ashton Kaufman Catering: Deepika DeSilva Page Text Editor: Christina Hernandez THE CAST: Griffyn: Autumn Harrison Grandfather: Bob Crouch Phoenix: Kyle Johnson Extras: Joshua Hernandez & Christopher Beasley DISCLAIMER! ---- Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All photographs are copyrighted with the US Copyrights Office and available licensing in following formats. Please contact ABSTRACT DIGITAL CINEMA (Media Licensing Dept.) for fees, terms, and Photograph Use License Agreement. Unauthorized copying, publication, and/or replication prohibited. Copyright © 2013 Abstract Digital Cinema/Amanda Abeynayake. All rights reserved.