Film Front Online

... PROJECTS ::

"The teacher grows geraniums. Her student grows pot. 

Margaret and Deirdre. So far apart, they're bound to collide."  

Saint John, April 2006 - It's Saint John's first-ever locally written, produced, directed, and filmed feature, and it's a film worth seeing. Over the course of several months, this weekends-only shoot utilized the skills of local crew and cast, and accomplished something quite special; something worth supporting. With a tremendous degree of care and commitment, Writer / Producer / Director Gretchen Kelbaugh carved a path for others to follow, providng an opportunity for local crew to gain experience, and a qualitiy project on which to hang her professional hat. She lived a lifetime during the completion of her project, and now it's our turn to encourage this type of activity in our city -- to show artists like Gretchen, who are pursuing their passion and helping stimulate and build our creative industries, that their efforts are not unnoticed.

For details on screenings of Margaret and Dierdre, click here for the Dates 2 Know page of this website. For a look at the trailer, visit Gretchen's website at www.storyfirstproductions.ca

Photo courtesy Story First Productions, Inc.

 ... MARGARET & DIERDRE IN PRODUCTION, 2004 ::

The tutor grows geraniums. Her student grows pot.

Margaret and Deirdre..... so far apart, they're bound to collide.   

Logline from Margaret and Deirdre. Screenwriter - Gretchen Kelbaugh

Their animated whispers and comments bounce out into the hallway from within the cavernous depths of a former church. The film crew, on full mental alert, keeps their eyes on first-time feature director and award-winning screenwriter, Gretchen Kelbaugh.

Kelbaugh blocks one of two principal actors starring in the production. The scene calls for simple angst; an introspective moment in a church setting. With eleventh hour consultations taken care of, quiet on the set is called for.

Suzanne Short, a polished and well known Saint John actor, nails the scene. Lights, stands and other assorted gear are packed and transported to the other side of the building. Kelbaugh affords herself a brief, satisifed smile. 

With Day 1 under her belt and Day 2 well underway, Kelbaugh is managing a group of people and a tight production schedule. 

The Film Front Online speaks with Kelbaugh about Margaret and Deirdre, her feature directorial debut…

FFO:  how are things going?

Our first weekend went really well; but it was really cold! One night, we were out in cold rain for two hours, but, it produced really interesting images of street lights against rain-slicked streets.  We’re using bits and pieces of several houses to produce the right look for the two homes of our lead characters, and the owners are so accommodating. One woman even let us leave our things in the living room until the next weekend, so we wouldn’t have to keep loading and unloading! Another interesting thing about indie productions is that we all wear many hats. If there's a mix-up with catering, and there's no food, then the directing hat gets removed, and I become the caterer, or craft person. Keeping a hard-working crew happy is really important to me.   

FFO:  what’s the basic story line of Margaret and Deirdre? does it take place in saint john?

I am so confident of our two leads to convey the story well. Suzanne Short and Vanessa Furlong are so capable as actors. The character of Margaret is a prim schoolteacher. Deirdre is, well, let’s say a ‘challenging’ student whom she begins tutoring. They are so unlike each other, they are destined to clash. One is celibate, the other promiscuous; one is proper, the other profane. Margaret makes attempts to get through the emotional armour that Deirdre has donned in life, producing serious consequences. There’s a very dramatic scene at the end. It’s obvious through the film that Saint John is the location.  

FFO:  what’s the best part of producing and directing your own film?

Producing? Is there anything good about producing? Hmmm. More than concerning myself with business matters, I want to create, so directing is a natural focus for me. Also, I want to do this on my terms, as a storyteller. With me, the story comes first, thus my company name, “Story First Productions”. With Margaret and Deirdre, I am screenwriter, director and editor. So, I grow an idea into a story, maintain its vision as director, and give it pacing as editor. I’m maintaining the integrity of my vision.   

FFO:  how long will you be in production?

Probably until mid-July. I'm really hoping it's warmer by then. And, I'm hanging in there for the City Works boys to turn on the fountain in King’s Square, and, I’d really like to have some trees with leaves in my exterior shots.  

FFO:  what will you do with the film once it’s edited and ready for viewing?

Enter it into film festivals; likely the Toronto International Film Festival or the Atlantic Film Festival. I’d also like to do a test screening for it, if time allows. 

FFO:  when can we expect to see it?

Good question. Vetch will be scoring it, once a rough edit is complete. She’ll also perform the music. Check back with me on this one.