Childhood
Dreams
A Visual Experience directed by April McLaurin
My role: Artist/Illustrator, Lead Dancer, Model
April McLaurin: Director, Producer, Choreographer, Lead Dancer, Graphic Designer
James Realubit: Assistant Director, Cinematographer, Set Operations
Sakarah “Saky” Hall-Edge: Lead Dancer
Tatyana Kiahra: Photographer, Set Operations
Travis “Skitz” Simmons: Set Filmographer, Graphic Designer
The Brief (summarized)
“Plato argues in his ‘Allegory of the Cave’, that Forms are non-physical, eternal, perfect, and non-changing. Elizabeth Gilbert’s (Author of Big Magic) theories say that ideas are sentient beings/objects. These little idea beings that we crash into - or more like they crash into us. They pester us, take over our minds, make us think about nothing but the idea. They’re waiting for you to decide whether to agree to enter a contract with you. And once human beings agree to work with the ideas, we help make them realized in the physical realm.”
“Often this feels like a relief, that you finally have decided and you’re excited about beginning. But at the same time, there is pain in the work. Like the saying goes by David Bayles (Author of Art and Fear): “Artists don’t get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the pain of not working.””
“Childhood Dreams is my first exploration into whatever my why is. I know deep down it’s a way to express or understand myself. But sometimes it feels outside of me. When they hit me, it’s like a targeted swarm - It’s like I can’t rest until I address it. Once I do, it begins to settle. I think there’s a world that needs to be realized.”
“The world is blurry, far away or out of my grasp. But the more these ideas attack me, or enter the physical realm in my brain, the closer I’ll get.”
Concept Illustration
“They need to feel almost like the energy and intensity of the flying keys in Harry Potter; a swarm of bees, the soot creatures from Spirited Away, like there’s a ton and they’re flittering, flocking, swarming, etc. Despite these movements, it’s still smooth; it’s still predatory. It’s a curious creature, but it also knows what it wants - an idea that is coming to attack you.”
“It can fly, but I’d almost prefer it to not have legitimate wings. However, I like the intense, sudden, isolated movements that birds have. It’s almost like insects.”
“I want something ominous yet approachable. A little evil yet inviting. Off-putting but cute.”
Concept Photography
Behind The Scenes
"Yay!"
Camera shy blooper
Solo shot
Expectations
vs. Reality
Spooky poses
Like edamame
In sync
Rehearsal stills :)
+ Credits
Supporting Dancers – Isa Lemus Lemus, Sage Alex
Makeup Direction – Akilah Edwards
Song Credits – “Childhood Dreams” – ARY
Location – Creative Camp Studio
Special Thanks – L.A. Dance Studio