The Third Law
Writer / Director / Choreographer / Producer / Editor / Sound Engineer
We don’t talk about the violence that can surround stillness in the wake of trauma. Newton’s Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. You will see how this takes shape in the lives of the women in this film.
THE PROCESS
As a senior creative writing & film studies student at Emory University, Dana chose to spend her final year making her first short film in tandem with an honors thesis in poetry. A friend and colleague asked her, “What does the film of your poetry look like?” What began as a PSA for sexual assault became a poetic movement investigation and visualization of something more visceral. Dana dove into her personal life and work to uncover how language could transform into movement and imagery.
Built support network: selected informal biweekly film advisor, Professor Eddie Von Mueller; built crew and selected talent from student body; encouraged fellow photographer to collaborate as a DP for his first film project
Transformed her poem into a script
Created storyboard
Recorded, directed, and edited voiceover audio session
Selected, licensed, edited and mixed music
Built production schedule, hosted rehearsals, and scouted locations
Led production design and sourced props
Directed scenes
Learned Final Cut to edit and color correct the film with accompanying text graphics
Hosted premiere showcase, designed all marketing materials, and conducted outreach and street marketing
Today, the piece stands as a commitment to herself to make the work she wants to see made.
