
C’est La Vie
Project Type: Short
Genres: Drama, Horror, Thirller, Psychological Thriller, Fish Out of Water
Runtime: 13 minutes 37 seconds
Completion Date: August 18, 2023
Country of Origin: United States
After a fatal accident sends a long haul trucker into a spiral, he seeks solace in something new and exciting only to discover he wasn't the only one looking for relief from that fateful night.
Laurels
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C’est La Vie - Trailer
Synopsis
C’est La Vie is the result from what happens when a group of creatives bands together over a weekend brining all their enigmatic energy and talents to the table with the singular goal of making an incredible art film.
Originally made as part of a 48 Hour Film Festival, C’est La Vie has been re-edited and expanded on for a wider audience.
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Director’s Statement
In a director’s statement it is generally accepted that I would talk about the plot, or the things that mattered most to me going into the film, and I will, but I would be remise if I didn’t talk about what this film actually means to me and what it showed me both as a filmmaker, and as a collaborator.
This was the first time I had ever taken the 48 Hour Film challenge, and I was apprehensive to say the least. I was working with a new crew, under sever time and resource restraints with now budget. Even on some of the biggest projects I’ve worked on there have been times it felt like I was putting the cart on my back to get it across the line, and I was afraid this would be no exception. The night before production began we all met to go over the script (that was finished 10 minutes after that meeting started), and we sat there for an hour brainstorming what we would do the next day. In short order all of my fears disappeared and I was certain we were going to make something special. Each crew member was fully engaged from the word go, bringing every resource they had, calling in every favor, coming up with new ideas and running with, taking complete ownership of their roles. The experience of making this film did wonders to bolster my faith in my fellow filmmakers, and to show me a new deeper level of collaboration than I had ever felt. The quality of this film is down to the group of people that came together to make it happen, and each member of the cast and crew should be recognized for what they brought to the table.
Beyond the experience of making the film, the final locked and rendered video sits in a surreal place. A theater of the absurd if you will. A vivid and disturbing representation of our anti-hero’s view of “self” blended with the real-world unraveling of his life. It is the story of a life spiraling out of control, battered about by circumstances, where it seems like all choices are taken out of his hands as he is tossed from one soul crushing tragedy to another. I find myself at some points pitying him, and at some points identifying with him. I hope that as an audience you will have a similar relationship with our main character, and that his life will spark self reflection and conversation.
C’est La Vie - Short Film
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Credits
Directed by: Collins Abbott White
Written by: Adam Weber
Produced by: Adam Weber
Bobby Smitten: Adam Weber
Beth: Elisabeth Martin Hill
Jill Smitten: Tara Massey
Jenny: Jenny Dombrosky
Lawyer: Jim Diana
Little Girl: Eliana Massey
Circus Performers
MiiMii Beaulieu, Cat Borovicka, Stephanie Klimowych, Tim March, Monika Soctt- Rogers
Background Performers
Gennifer Gordon, Tabitha Jordan, David Owens, Avie Pyles, James Pyles, Chad Walton, Petra Weule-Lindley, Carl Woody, Paula Woody
1st Assistant Director: Heidi Kinder
2nd Assistant Director: Cat Borovicka
Director of Photography: Austin Jansma
1st Assistant Camera: Jessa Jansma
2nd Assistant Camera: Francesca Sneed
Production Designer: MiiMii Beaulieu
Makeup Artist: Jadenn Gutierrez
Wardrobe: Poppy Gillett
Production Sound: Rhodes Farrell
Editor: Collins Abbott White
Assistant Editors
Matt Helderman, Jason Massey
Production Assistant: Sarah Shoemaker