Porch Light
Directed by Ned Farr
Directed by LA-based filmmaker Ned Farr, Porch Light sits at a crossroad between narrative and dance film. The short is simple, yet clear in its purpose. Through a carefully crafted series of movements, we are invited to take part in the journey of a young woman needing to move forward.
We spoke to Farr about his work and approach.
What inspired you to direct Porch Light? Why did you feel it was important to tell this specific story ?
Meeting Mya the main dancer was my primary inspiration. There was something about her that projected a kind of tough innocence…And I wondered, what makes innocence tough? Having one's home life disrupted at an early age can certainly do that, and as that is my story as well, the theme resonated.
How involved were you in the movement direction? What was your approach?
The movement from the curb to the porch is a journey that involves shedding baggage, actual and emotional, so those moments needed to be sketched out first, and then the choreography could develop around those story beats.
Can you tell us more about your background and how you became involved in the world of dance and specifically screen dance ?
I wrote and directed a feature film called The Gymnast that included many scenes featuring two aerialists. This kind of “dance in air” was fascinating not only to watch but to help craft for the camera, and it gave me enough confidence to blunder my way through a dance film residency several years later. My confidence has grown since then, having now made at least 5 more projects that involve dance choreography.
Recently there seems to be an increase of content focused on dance. Why do you think that is and what other trends are we moving towards?
Dance is a universal language, so that certainly helps content move from country to country, culture to culture. And producing great looking images is far more achievable these days with gimbals and digital cameras. It also takes advocacy in the dance film world to create a supportive community, and that certainly is on the rise, so this all goes to explain the flush of dance content. And of course TikTok, may have helped.
What are you working on next ?
I’m shooting two more dance films in the coming month, and then will set my sights on my next feature film.
“I met Mya at a unique dance film residency and was immediately struck by her talent. I then let go of the film idea I was originally planning and instead searched for a story that could combine both Mya’s fierceness and the quiet innocence I saw on display in the workshops we attended. ”
Director: Ned Farr
Writer: Ned Farr
Producer: Cat Rider
Cast: Mya McClellan, Lauren Raynor, Victor Holley
Cinematographer: Alexandre Naufel
Choreographer: Mya McClellan
Choreographer: Kelly Bartnik