La Sierra University film starring Oscar winner Leo to debut at L.A. Shorts Fest

The 10-minute film short titled “The Butterfly, the Harp and the Timepiece” stars Melissa Leo, a 2010 Oscar winner, and Alex Ebert, a Golden Globe winner and pop star. The 10-minute movie also features a score by producer and songwriter Alex Geringas, a 2013 Grammy winner.

The film is directed by La Sierra film and television program chair Rodney Vance, an experienced screenplay and television writer, and writer-director-producer of the 2013 documentary “Napa Valley Dreams.” Additionally, 14 La Sierra film and television majors worked extensively alongside the film’s star power in tasks ranging from production design and camera operation to acting and production assisting.

The Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, or LA Shorts Fest, is one of the most renowned film festivals in the world. This year’s festival scheduled for Sept. 3 -10 in Regal Cinemas L.A. Live, showcases 265 films from 26 countries. The films are selected from thousands of entries. In addition to its coveted opening night placement along with seven other films, “The Butterfly, the Harp and the Timepiece” will screen a second time on Sept. 8.

“The Butterfly, the Harp and the Timepiece” was filmed in Riverside and Redondo Beach. It captures the stories of three individuals whose lives are changed through their connection with a pawnshop and the objects they desire. Papillon, played by Leo, buys a butterfly pendant and through it connects to her lost child. A bankrupt wealthy man played by Orpheus McCord sells his treasured pocket watch and then attempts to steal it back, and a broke mime played by the film’s scriptwriter, Joseph Lennon McCord, tries to raise money to buy an auto harp he used to play and which is now for sale in the shop.

Filming for the movie began in October 2013 following collaboration and planning between Vance and McCord who met Vance at a story conference and liked Vance’s screening of “Napa Valley Dreams.”

“Joe had an intriguing concept,” said Vance. “He wanted to pay tribute to Charlie Chaplin by telling a story similar to what Chaplin might tell if Chaplin was telling stories now. He wanted very little dialogue, but not a silent film. This approach placed a lot of the weight of the storytelling on the director and production team capturing the visuals that told the story.”

Vance submitted the film to LA Shorts Fest through an online submission company on July 20, the festival’s deadline. He learned of the film’s acceptance on July 24 through an embargoed announcement. “I didn’t get the news that we were selected for a second screening on opening night until the executive director called me on August 18 with the news. That was a phenomenal phone call to receive,” Vance said, adding that the film’s priority placement is likely linked to Leo’s involvement. “Star power helps and I’m very grateful for Melissa for her support of this film,” said Vance.

The LA Shorts Festival can qualify short films for an Oscar in seven categories, said Vance. “Our film is in the narrative drama category and must win in this category to advance toward an Oscar nomination. Long shot. But better odds than winning the lottery,” he said. The project is his first involvement in the festival circuit, and his second effort as a film director.

The film’s investors are primarily interested in raising awareness of La Sierra’s film and television program, and as such “we want as many people as possible to see the film,” said Vance. “Our purpose is not to raise revenue, but to attract viewers. Participating in film festivals exposes the film to independent filmmakers and Hollywood distributors. It also builds awareness of and curiosity for the film.”

Michelle Noland, a junior film and television major, worked as an assistant editor and background actor on the film short, “and helped out here and there with the slate for a day or two,” she said. She plans to attend the LA Shorts Fest and looks forward to seeing “everyone's hard work on the big screen.”

Noland’s involvement in creating “The Butterfly, the Harp and the Timepiece” nudged her fledgling interests into the realm of possibility. She now aims for a career producing films or television programming “that benefits society, faith-based, educational, documentary, or children's entertainment,” she said.

“Working on an official film set with an Oscar winning actress, Golden Globe winning musician, and professional crew was a very humbling, yet encouraging experience for me. It was at that moment I realized that a career in film was actually possible for someone like me,” said Noland. “But regardless of how I perceived myself, no one on the set ever made me feel like I was ‘just a student.’ I always felt like part of the team.

One thing that I learned from working with Oscar and Golden Globe winners is that professionalism, consistency, and dedication should be expected of you while you're working on the set. Time is valuable, and if it is being wasted because of a lack of commitment to the project, you're not only making yourself look bad, but also everyone involved with the film,” said Noland.

“My passion is found in storytelling. Whether it is my own story or someone else's, I believe in order for people to grow, learn, and heal, they need to see the world from a different perspective.”

Additional information about the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival can be found at lashortsfest.com.