Week 11 slide 1

New Works Festival 2025 Overview

  • Event Dates: March 19 to March 23, 2025
  • Venue: Lyons Family Studio - LR Wilson Hall, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton

Featured Productions

Scarlet Cord
  • Writer/Director: Sienna Kim
  • Show Dates:
    • March 19 @ 12:30pm
    • March 20 @ 8:30pm
    • March 21 @ 12:30pm
    • March 22 @ 8:30pm
    • March 23 @ 12:30pm
  • Synopsis: A mother writes daily letters to her future child, which her daughter finds 20 years later. The discovery leads to strange occurrences across time and space.
  • Inspiration: Based on 300 letters from a mother.
Mother-Daughter Ghost Hunting Duo
  • Writer/Director: AJ Agnew-Dundass
  • Show Dates:
    • March 19 @ 1:30pm
    • March 20 @ 6:30pm
    • March 21 @ 1:30pm
    • March 22 @ 6:30pm
    • March 23 @ 1:30pm
  • Synopsis: A mother and daughter confront fearful spirits in a haunted house, testing their relationship and addressing the inevitable forces they face.
Thespianage: A Caper of Shakespearean
  • Writer/Director: Mikey Gough
  • Show Dates:
    • March 19 @ 2:30pm
    • March 20 @ 7:30pm
    • March 21 @ 2:30pm
    • March 22 @ 7:30pm
    • March 23 @ 2:30pm
  • Synopsis: The Fairly Wells, an amateur theatre troupe, faces unexpected challenges during their debut performance which leads to an international adventure for art.
Disabled People Are Funny, Too!
  • Writers/Directors: Isabella Stavropoulos and Sofia Smith
  • Show Dates:
    • March 19 @ 7:30pm
    • March 20 @ 1:30pm (Relaxed Performance)
    • March 21 @ 7:30pm (ASL Interpretation)
    • March 22 @ 1:30pm (Relaxed Performance)
    • March 23 @ 7:30pm
  • Synopsis: A late-night comedy writer faces challenges of accessibility and exclusion as she navigates creating comedy in an accommodating environment.
  • Features: ASL Interpretation, Audio Description, Open Captions, Relaxed Performances.
Gough!
  • Writers/Directors: Megan Macfarlane and Elise Baigent
  • Show Dates:
    • March 19 @ 8:30pm
    • March 20 @ 12:30pm
    • March 21 @ 8:30pm
    • March 22 @ 12:30pm
    • March 23 @ 8:30pm
  • Synopsis: Following Charlie as she attempts to reconnect with her friend Bec through a whimsical theater production, uncovering deeper issues in their friendship.

Short Film Features

All Things Grow
  • Director: Sydney Alexander
  • Show Date: April 9, 2025, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
  • Synopsis: A university student's struggle with anxiety, burnout, and the transition into adulthood leading up to graduation.
The Partisan
  • Director: Yasith Weerasinghe
  • Show Date: April 9, 2025, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
  • Synopsis: Set in post-civil war Canada, it follows Imal as she survives and grapples with survivor's guilt while navigating her moral dilemmas.
Invisible Circle
  • Directors: Kataya Thibodeau & Mikael Carino
  • Show Date: April 9, 2025, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
  • Synopsis: A support group for individuals with invisible disabilities as they share their experiences and bond over navigating an ableist society.
Lunas de Amor
  • Director: Florencia Emulo
  • Show Date: April 9, 2025, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EDT
  • Synopsis: This film explores the connections between women through moments of kindness and friendship, promoting themes of love over societal barriers.

Classical Film - Key Concepts

History of Classical Film Paradigm
  • Emphasizes the classical structure in film production and storytelling.
Seven Notions of Classicism
  • Decorum: Appropriate behavior and aesthetics in art.
  • Proportion: Balanced composition.
  • Formal Harmony: Consistent style and design.
  • Respect for Tradition: Acknowledgment of historical influence in storytelling.
  • Self-effacing Craftsmanship: Unobtrusive artistic skill.
  • Mimesis: Imitation of reality.
  • Control Over Viewer Response: Directing audience engagement through style and narrative.
Features of Classical Cinema
  • Unity and Coherence: Prioritizes a clear story arc.
  • Realism: Emphasis on believable and relatable narratives (verisimilitude).
  • Emotional Appeal: Engages the audience emotionally while retaining clarity and structure.
Narrative Mechanics
  • Logic: Character-driven actions that disrupt and restore status quo.
  • Causality: Clear characters’ goals facing obstacles is central to development.
  • Time & Space Control: Appointments and deadlines are crucial for pacing.
  • Closure: Strong resolution providing clarity, unity, and emotional satisfaction.
Classical Style's Purpose
  • Aids viewer orientation and narrative understanding through systematic use of camera, mise-en-scène, editing, and sound, keeping stylistic elements in support of narrative without overshadowing it.