by Jaclyn Gramigna
My newest film, “Downtown,” is a registered film in the Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival! At a running time of just under 3 minutes, this super short film poses the question, “what if a girl has a very private moment, in a very public place?” Despite its length, “Downtown,” takes its audience on a roller coaster of feelings. Beginning with a touch of confusion (which quickly turns into heated desire) the film challenges its audience’s comfort zone and makes even the most self assured blush.
The film features up-and-coming starlet, Aurora Heimbach, who’s openness and commitment is much of what makes the project successful. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Aurora moved to NYC just over a year ago and has already graced the stages of more than a few of its theaters. Viewers of the film have said that she is a sure star in the making; don’t be surprised if you find her lingering in your thoughts. Another up-and-comer, Benjamin Frankenberg (also a graduate of SCAD), plays an enthralling counterpart to Aurora’s spark.
I’m delighted to say, that the film was shot, on location, in Brooklyn, NY. My cinematographer, Caitlin Machak, and I made the decision to shoot on 35mm film and, though it increased our budget (between processing, telecine and professional color correction) it was well worth it. This was my first opportunity to work with 35, and as film stock is disappearing from the film industry, it might be one of the only chances I get; needless to say, I went for it. The shots, themselves, give a beautiful, floating, view of the action and these days, short films are rarely shot on film, so the look definitely sets it apart from the crowd.
It has been a great journey, making this film, and to see it garner such a wonderful response, thus far, is fantastic and incredibly humbling. I have begun submitting it to festivals around the world and am very much looking forward to representing it at Cannes this May! Look out for “Downtown,” at a film festival near you!
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