Perla's Story
Project: Perla: The Last of the Seven Dwarfs
Client: Director Debbie Brukman
Type: 50 minute film.
Clip: I chose this clip follows Perla in her daily routine, however, this time she is getting ready for the last interview of her life.
Credits: Creative Collaborator, Editor
Storytelling Challenge:
It was my responsibility to turn 70 hours of raw footage into a one-hour story for film festivals.
Process:
I discuss with film director what the anticipated outcome and audience of the film is. I investigate all the available footage for clips that will add to the story. I decide on following the story of Perla Ovitz. At the time that the film was produced, she was the only surviving dwarf (self-proclaimed) out of a family of seven dwarfs. Despite the fact that there are hours of footage of other characters, it was important to stay with Perla's story.
Outcome:
Perla: The Last of the Seven Dwarfs won best film at the 2005 Fire Island Film Festival, and won Best Direction at the Detroit Jewish Film Festival. The film was screened at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival and at the New Jersey Jewish Film Festival. The film was screened as a program for the 2006 National Holocaust Education Week in Toronto, which I presented the film with a Q&A after the screening. I was nominated for a 2006 Nell Shipman Award for Excellence in Editing.