At the end of a hot and buggy Michigan summer, a small group of friends and collaborators came together to make a short dance film. Dancer Yuka Oba of the Grand Rapids Ballet lent her graceful talents to the project and pulled together an improvisational choreography on the day.
Watch the film unfold below.
We conceptually thought of Yuka as an alien arriving on a foreign planet, her initial response is one of anxiety and fear. She is overcome and falls to the forest floor. From there she awakens to the beauty of nature and curiously explores her surroundings. As she progresses deeper into the forest, she becomes one with the earth, the sun and water. Only then does she bloom and share the beauty of this gift.
Yuka Oba awakening to her natural surroundings. Photo by Philip Carrel
After shooting this film, I asked Eric Tempelaere of Bronze Wolf to compose music for the project. As our collaboration progressed he was inspired to put lyrics in the composition. He bounced the idea off of me and I was interested to see where it would go. The resulting track is a nostalgic and poetic journey, that gracefully sweeps you off your feet.
Art Director Loralee Grace keeps the dress looking fresh between takes. Photo by Philip Carrel
Yuka Oba dances in the filtered forest light. Photo by Philip Carrel
John Hanson captures Yuka’s hand movement in the golden light. Photo by Philip Carrel
John Hanson perched on a rock composing the shot. Photo by Philip Carrel
Yuka becomes one with the river Photo by Philip Carrel
With the many unknowns of weather, shooting on film, and dancing on uneven ground, the chance of things going awry was just one misstep away. Luckily the shoot went smoothly and we all enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in the woods, Wrapping just in time for dinner plans.
Watch the behind the scenes below.
When you collaborate with talented individuals you end up saying yes a lot. It’s exciting to come in on the same page and create something beautiful while sharing ideas and strolling through nature. I also really love the sound of film rolling, nothing quite like it, combined with bird song, bugs, and rushing water, I think I am in heaven.
Cast and Crew
Dancer - Yuka Oba
Director / Editor - Philip Carrel
Cinematographer - John Hanson
Art Director - Loralee Grace
Production Support - Dan Muschiana
Colorist - Josh Maczinski
Music - Bronze Wolf
Special Thanks - Ken Schmidt