Alumni Blog: Maura Garnett
Recent graduate, Maura Garnett has been selected to screen as part of SVA’s After School Special next month. Here she writes about making a period piece, working through the SAG-AFTRA strike, and shooting in three different locations.
I am thrilled that the SVA Theatre is once again screening my thesis film Disoriented.
On September 27th the SVA After School Special will showcase the best of 2024’s films! Disoriented is a labor of love, born from a desire to explore the raw emotions surrounding receiving bad news and the challenge of returning to reality amidst tragedy. At the heart of Disoriented lies a simple yet powerful premise: a phone call that changes the lives of three individuals forever. Each character is left grappling with the disorientation that follows such life-altering revelations of death, illness, and breakup.
The inspiration for this film came from my own experiences and observations of how people react to bad news. Growing up, I noticed that my father, while well-intentioned, had a knack for delivering unpleasant news at the most inconvenient times. This got me thinking about the universal discomfort of receiving bad news and how it can leave us isolated and vulnerable. Thus, Disoriented was born to create a story that captures the realism of pain and the struggle to cope. Setting the film in the early 90s, before the era of cell phones, allowed me to amplify this sense of isolation. In today’s world, receiving bad news often prompts immediate Google searches and text messages to friends for support. Coping mechanisms in the 90’s were limited, with only a landline at one’s disposal, forcing characters to put on a brave face and carry on amidst their turmoil.
Of course, no filmmaking journey is without its challenges.
Mine came in the form of the SAG-AFTRA strike coinciding with the week of my thesis. The uncertainty surrounding actor participation was nerve-wracking, leading to the departure of a lead actor just days before shooting. Luckily, I am an aspiring casting director, and I am very grateful to have a whole database of actors with whom I work closely. I cast Jake Phillips, an actor I’d recently reconnected with at an audition I was holding for a friend’s film. Jake seemed like the perfect fit for the role and, luckily, agreed to step in at the last minute. My shoot was not postponed, thanks to Jake, and this became a remarkable film I am very proud of.
Filming Disoriented over three days in July 2023 was a whirlwind experience.
Each day presenting its own unique set of challenges and rewards. We shot the whole film in 3 days, with one location and storyline per day. Day 1 took place at an audition waiting room with actor Jake Phillips. Jake brought a sense of youth and ending to the role. He portrays a struggling young actor with dreams of making it big. On day 2 we shot at a Spa with Ricki Lynée. Our Production Design crew, Lindsey DeLeon and Abigail Marshal, turned a blank canvas of a studio into a spa in less than 2 hours! Ricki is a magnificent actress. Her vulnerability and subtle yet thoughtful body language blew me away.
Day 3, our final day of shooting, was back in my home state of NJ at my mom’s boyfriend’s house. My family catered with home-cooked meals all day. My mother, a teacher, helped me get around 15 children extras for the birthday party scene. This day was very special to me. I spent it with my friends and family and introduced them to filmmaking. Pëtra Denison played Julie, a mother struggling to put on a happy face for her son after a disruptive phone call. Pëtra gave me all her emotions and more; her performance was beyond moving and caused me to tear up. I am immensely grateful to my cast and crew for their dedication and talent, without which this film would not have been possible. Each actor brought depth and authenticity to their roles, infusing the story with emotion and resonance. Special mention goes to Jake Phillips, Ricki Lynée, and Pëtra Denison for their outstanding performances that breathed life into the characters of Billy, Naomi, and Julie, respectively.
Disoriented has been a labor of love from start to finish.
Receiving the J. Efros Memorial Award and James Richard Janowsky Award from the BFA Film Department and the Alumni Society was an honor. These accolades are a testament to the collective effort and passion that went into bringing this story to life. As the premiere date approaches, I am excited and excited to share the film with audiences. May this film serve as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity, and the power of connection in times of need. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. I look forward to seeing you at the SVA Theatre in September! Get your tickets here for the SVA Screening at the SVA Theatre.
Stay up to date with Maura by visiting her website mauragarnettfilms.com & Instagram @Mauragarnettfilms
