The Muse in Langford Park

I did a second sketch as scenes were shot for “The Muse” in Langford Park by Ragtag Troupe Productions. The director Mathew Carroll was always behind the cameraman to see how the scene was being shot. Actress Kelly Wilson who plays Rose was asking Theodore the Magnificent if she could help. She kept asking until Theodore blew up and started shouting at her. In the distance several other actors stumbled into the scene.

Just outside this staging area, Kelly’s mom noticed a pile of dog droppings. To help the cast and crew, she decided to mark the spot by pressing a stick nearby as a marker. When she put her weight into pressing the stick down, it snapped and she almost fell face first into the landmine.

While the establishing shot was being filmed for this scene, a mother and her children wandered into the shot. The cast and crew waited but she stayed in the shot. Finally the stage manager walked over to the family to ask them to move. They did, but the mom must have decided she had every right to be in the shot and she was back five minutes later. Any time a car drove by, the shot had to be redone as well. That is one small advantage of a sketch, if I don’t want something in the sketch, I can just ignore it.

“The Muse” Brings the Magic of Fimmaking to Langford Park

On June 16th, I went to Langford Park, (1808 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL) to sketch a film shoot. The Director, Matthew Carroll invited me to sketch a day of filming. The production company, Ragtag Troupe Productions is managed
by its founders, Mathew  and Amy Jo Bursley. When I got to the park I walked to a small wooden amphitheater following props and the sound of conversation. Actors chatted with each other but I didn’t see any film equipment. I explained that I was there to sketch the production and they pointed me towards the children’s playground. I joked that this must be the green room and and actor exclaimed that “It doesn’t get much greener that this” as he gestured towards the sun filled trees with a flourish.

Near the playground I found actor Will Warriner and young actress Kelly Wilson seated under a tree with a film crew surrounding them. Will played Hank, a ragtag performer who was sharing his life experiences with Rose, a young girl who finds herself in a surreal world. The main action in this scene involved Rose limping into frame using a crutch, she leans the crutch against the tree and crouches down to talk to Hank. During his monologue he hands her a balloon. Because of the camera’s view, he had to retake several shots and choke in his hold on the string to keep the balloon in field. The scene was performed multiple times with the camera moved between takes to allow for multiple shots when it comes time to edit the scene together.

The film, called, “The Muse” is an artistic short film
inspired by the works of Terry Gilliam. The story is a coming of age tale about
a little girl, Rose, who escapes to her fantasy world after hearing an argument
between her parents about money. Once there she meets a traveling troupe of
street performers, each representing a different art form, who pledge to help
Rose on her quest to find this money in order to keep her family together, but
all isn’t what it seems.