Films

The Spotlight Within

A Musical Short Film

 

Synopsis

Emilia is a High School Senior who longs to be an Actor. She's creative and driven. So much so that she wants to Write and Direct her own One Act Play, for her Drama Class senior project. She has the support of her Teacher, and her closest friends, but her Dad feels that she needs to focus on a "real career," and her ambition may have caused her to bite off more than she could chew. The question is, can she put together a memorable production, and gain her Dad's support?

Director’s Statement

The Spotlight Within was born out of a desire to challenge myself to do something completely out of my comfort zone, and to create an opportunity to work with some extremely talented artists that I’ve never worked with before.

I love musicals, both in film and on stage, and have always wanted to create my own that hit the emotional arcs, both in story and musically. Like with any film, the challenges were many, and I learned quickly that jumping into a musical with original songs and choreography, brought all kinds of challenges that I’ve never faced before. This meant that I had to ensure I had a clear vision, while collaborating with so many talented artists including our Composer, Choreographers, Actors, Singers, Dancers and Crew.

I wanted to explore the relationships between parents and their kids, and the struggle that many new artists face, especially when surrounded by people who do nothing but tell them to get a real job. Through our main character, I want the audience to experience the uphill battle of getting a project off the ground, and the incredible feeling it gives to create something, even when it’s not perfect.

Ultimately, I wanted to tell a story that left an audience uplifted, inspired and wanting more.

Read the Script
 

Cast

  • Alexis Moreside as Emilia Cohle

  • JM Amurao as Caleb Potter

  • Katie Calder as Isabella Gordon

  • Piper Roberts as Ava Lindon

  • Emma Van Hyfte as Max Spaen

  • Theo Hubert as Logan Holder

  • Justin Lewis as David Cohle

  • Starlise Waschuk as Shari Cohle

  • Wanda Oler as Miss Sachs

  • Tom Bradshaw as Mr. Charlston

  • Jason Steele as Barry

  • Avalon Green Oleson-Rinehart as Young Emilia Cohle

Crew

Camera Operators

  • Mitch Fraser

  • Nathan Rogers

First Assistant Camera

  • Treton Karlson

Second Assistant Camera

  • Keaton Whitbread

Boom Operator

  • Chris Hummel

Script Supervisor

  • Alahna Mallett

Key Grip

  • Damian Blunt

Gaffer

  • Nathan Rogers

Grip/LX

  • Garrett Hykawy

  • Ethan LeQuyere

  • Kaelin Mcinnis

  • Maui Ga

  • Tanner Davis

  • Gage Schatschneider

Art Design

  • Makenzie Grieve

  • Ariel Rogers

  • Kara-Lynn Wildeboer

EPK

  • Dion Wiebe

Produced By

  • Richard Pye

  • Jason Steele

  • Ryan Hawley

Executive Produced By

  • Justin Hubert

  • Russell Janzen

Composer

  • Morgan Mckee

Director of Photography

  • Mitch Fraser

Production Designer

  • Tracey Dodd

Costume Design

  • Tori Janzen

Hair and Makeup

  • Hailey Sutherland

Casting Director

  • Jason Steele

First Assistant Director

  • Cassandra Hinnegan

Second Assistant Director

  • Kori-lyn Berry

  • Jason Steele

Choreography

  • Hannah Peacock

  • Jaimie Bingham