Are The Stars Alive?
Director: Quinn Thomashow
Cast:Sophie Becker
Crew:Writer: Paula Da Silva. Producers: Yoko Chen, Tori Ichikowitz. Story by: Jefferson Everest Crawford, Quinn Thomashow; Score by: Ethan WL; Cinematographer: Quinn Thomashow; Editor: Sophie Becker; Production and Costumer Designer: Jessica Burnam
Email:qthomashow@afi.edu
Synopsis
Are The Stars Alive is a 3 minute, 35mm visual poem about the importance of curiosity and personal growth. It follows a woman who begins to trust her own instincts as she tries to understand the complexities of the universe, proving the answer to many of our questions lies within us. It also pays tribute to pioneering women, like astronomer Maria Mitchell (who the film is loosely based off of), and the women who painstakingly hand colored George Melies’ masterpieces from the early days of cinema. These women painted stories in the stars, and laid the foundation for all of us, allowing our curiosity to bloom. By hand cutting and coloring our film, frame by frame, we hope that we can honor the nameless women who inspired us to become storytellers and rebels.
About the director
Raised in Rural Vermont, Quinn Thomashow is a filmmaker and cinematographer whose work is deeply rooted between experimental form and narrative structure. After honing her craft at Hampshire College - contributing to projects by Ken Burns, Jodie Mack, and Alex Gibney - Quinn earned an MFA in Cinematography from the American Film Institute. Her latest short, Are the Stars Alice? showcases her commitment to tactile storytelling. Quinn is now based out of LA and NYC and is passionate about fostering collaborative, inclusive film sets and using unique visual techniques to tell unconventional stories that inspire empathy and imagination.