The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Film spins a tale of the apocalypse

    Student Emmy Award winner, Sarah Barbier, released second film that includes
     Southeastern theatre professor Jim Winter playing the Hooded Man. Bennett
    applies makeup to Winter before shooting.
    Courtesy of Rachel Taylor

    Editor's Note 12/08/15: The cutline has been corrected to provide correct names
    with title and role. 

    Alumnus MJ Ricks played Percy in Barbier's second film "Fugue," which is based on a
    story written by alumnus Cody Love. Ricks has played multiple roles in past productions
    in Vonnie Borden Theatre. 
    Courtesy of Grace Jovanovic

    Editor's Note 12/08/15: The cutline has been corrected to provide correct names
    with title and role.

    Fugue” is a tale of mystery and survival following the destruction of the modern world.

    Senior communication major Sarah Barbier wrote “Fugue” based on a story written by Southeastern alumnus Cody Love. Barbier, who is a videographer, video editor and producer for entertainment shows on the Southeastern Channel such as “Cinematheque” and “College Night,” has worked on music videos and other promotional videos at Southeastern. 

    According to Barbier, “Fugue” is a “surreal battle of wits, worries and weapons in the shadow of modern society’s collapse.”

    Although Barbier has experience producing, “Fugue” is her second film-style work. Her first film, “Emma” resulted in her winning the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Suncoast Regional Student Emmy in the directing category. 

    “I was extremely surprised when I found out that I had won a student Emmy,” said Barbier. “I’m really proud of the film, but I know that I have grown a lot creatively and in my camera and editing techniques since I finished ‘Emma.’”

    According to Barbier, she wanted to create an independent, full-length project to show to potential employers but accredits Love with the majority of the creativity and inspiration for “Fugue.” 

    “I really enjoyed working with him, and I read part of a fiction book he was working on,” said Barbier. “So, when I decided to take on an Independent Study, I asked if he was interested in writing a script for me. I did not expect to get something as detailed and ambitious as ‘Fugue,’ but production went well and post-production is underway.”

    According to Love, his story is based on three people whose lives and personalities change dramatically when society falls apart. The characters are based on the lives of three English romantic writers George Gordon Byron, better known as Lord Byron, Mary Shelley and Percy Shelley.

    “I set out to write something that was hopefully entertaining and interesting,” said Love.

    Love, who was born in Gretna, Louisiana attended Fontainebleau High School where he met Barbier. After acting in Barbier’s last short film, “Emma,” Love was approached by Barbier and asked to write his first script. 

    “I like the way she approaches directing, so I was happy to work with her,” said Love.

    According to Love, he provided Barbier with details about the clothing, setting and character details while writing the script.

    “I wanted to help them as much as possible see the picture I had in my mind when I was writing the story,” said Love. “I’ve always been really interested in the way movies are written and put together on a page before they come on a screen. I wanted to produce something that the sights and sounds would be important to the story, more than just the words.”

    The cast will consist of nine actors made up of past and present Southeastern students and faculty members including MJ Ricks, who featured in multiple productions in Vonnie Borden Theatre, Logan Viverito, Jim Winter, Alexis Durante, René C. Petz III, Judah Fabré, Aaron Manguno, Caleb Parr and Grace Jovanovic.

    According to Barbier, she held auditions for “Fugue” in September. final divisions for the cast, but I had a lot of help,” said Barbier. “I’m really happy with the cast.” 

    Sophomore English creative writing major Durante plays Mary, a wounded ex-marine, in “Fugue.”

    Durante immediately knew she wanted to be a part of the cast after hearing that Barbier was directing the film and after meeting fellow cast members. 

    “When I read the script, I found my character to be very strong and powerful, but still vulnerable and emotional,” said Durante.  “It was an amazing script.”

    Durante describes Mary as having a fiery temper and a big heart.

    “She has a prosthetic leg because she lost her own leg in combat, and it’s a big physical and emotional struggle for her in the film,” said Durante. “I love this character because even though she is strong, physically and emotionally, she is also able to be soft and gentle.  She’s a very real woman. She’s powerful and human.”

    Barbier hopes that the audience will be entertained during her film, but also learns valuable lessons.

    “I hope that this movie makes the audience think about the decisions that the characters made and hopefully feel something for the survivors and about the outcome of the movie,” said Barbier. “I also hope that they are impressed by it or at least have an enjoyable time watching it.”

    ‘Fugue’ is expected to be released via Internet in June of 2016. 

    For more information, visit the film’s Facebook page or www.fugueanindependentfilm.weebly.com for updates.

     
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