Morgan Everett
Research Mentor: Matthew Solomon
Mentor Department: Film, Television, and Media, LSA
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 4 (1:00 PM – 1:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Creative Project
Abstract
This research project seeks to recreate and adapt the films of iconic 20th-century French filmmaker Georges Méliès. Centered on his film La Parapluie Fantastique, or the English title “10 Women from one umbrella.†Our research is comprised primarily of 3 parts. The first being studying and analyzing the films and methods of Georges Méliès. As well as the historical context that he and his films developed in. Mainly facilitated through our primary literature source, his authorized biography written by his great-granddaughter. The second part includes the actual reenactment done by a student cast in the Duderstadt video center. Where we employed historically accurate costumes and a hand-painted background to accurately portray our film, shot on 35mm film, just as the original was. These methods are used to create a culturally accurate and competent remake. The final part of the project will take place over the summer, where we will be presenting our film at a Colloquium in France hosted by The International Cultural Centre of Cerisy. There we will also be presenting a short documentary of the filming process, of which was my undertaking as a research assistant. It consists of behind-the-scenes footage, as well as interviews from some of my fellow team members on the making, importance and impact of our project. I will be subtitling the documentary in French to facilitate understanding for our French audience and provide translation when needed at the conference to facilitate cross-cultural connections.
