THE TURNER EXHIBIT

THE TURNER EXHIBIT A Film by Mathew Bainbridge THE TURNER EXHIBIT THE TURNER EXHIBIT Synopsis

Anthony, Jean and William Turner are living the American dream. Alex, Lisa, and Alice Turner are working hard just to get bye. Animosity triggers a plot which tests familiar bonds with potentially tragic consequences.

The Turner Exhibit is the story two sides of the Turner family, one successful and the other struggling. The eventual tension created by this social inequity leads to jealousy, deception, revenge and betrayal. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Director’s Statement

It’s difficult to pinpoint the precise seen on the West Coast. origin of The Turner Exhibit, but if What little notoriety the movie had forced to speculate my best guess came from its odd subject matter would involve a conversation with and explicit sex scenes involving a close friend of mine. It had been people with very unconventional 5 years since I had tried to make a physical appearances. Having read movie. I had been teaching in the a few negative reviews of the film, interim waiting for both my finances I expected my friend to have an and creative spirit to recover from my apathetic view of the picture. To previous attempt at Producing and my surprise, she had found the Directing. Creatively speaking, I was experience of seeing the movie on playing with a variety of concepts the big screen to be truly engaging. and even started writing a few drafts, “I was curious about the things but nothing came together. That was happening on screen and watching when a friend of mine told me about them in a dark room full of strangers an avant-garde movie that she had with no one judging me was worth it.” THE TURNER EXHIBIT Director’s Statement

Eureka, this is the type of feeling that I was after…sort of. I was not interested in shocks or exploitation per se. My interest was in portraying the psychosomatically taboo as opposed to the culturally taboo, to capture a type of uncomfortable emotional anguish that audiences are often spared from in favor of a traditional melodramatic pathos which is easier to digest and let go of when the credits roll. It is my belief that all conflict is personal and originates not so much from lack of resources or mutual objectives, but from deep-seated The anger, fear and contempt depicted in The Turner personal insecurities that most never Exhibit can be seen everywhere from social media to acknowledge within themselves. neighborhood dinners. Most blame cultural institutions and rogue figures for leading the disenfranchised down My next movie was going to be paths of hate and personal destruction. It is my contention a Thriller whose revelations were that the disenfranchised seek out rouge figures and centered around why rather than infiltrate cultural institutions leading society down those what. A movie where audiences same paths. I hope that The Turner Exhibit is kind of could sit in dark rooms and watch movie that allows audiences to stare judgement-free characters during their most somber at vulnerable characters, patronized past the point of moments. A story about private exhaustion, succumbing to their worst impulses, causing anonymous occasions where the same audiences to think about their perspectives baseless opinions are formed regarding themselves and the impulses of those around and acted upon. Decisions made them. in fear supported by pride and shame resulting in paranoia and Mathew Gregory Bainbridge conspiracies of the mundane. Writer, Director of The Turner Exhibit THE TURNER EXHIBIT Resumes

Mathew Bainbridge SUBMISSION CONTACT, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, WRITER IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/ nm10215561/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

After graduating with a BFA from Northern Michigan University in 1995, Mathew Bainbridge moved to Baltimore, MD where he currently teaches film at Towson University. Mathew has worked in the motion picture and television industry for twenty years. His resume includes major motion pictures such as Liberty Heights, Cecil B. Demented and Head of State as well as the television dramas and Homicide. Mathew has also worked on over one hundred television commercials including the infamous Bob Dole Viagra spot. Not to mention a 7 year stint as legendary filmmaker John Waters Art Assistant. Alex Hedstrom PRODUCER IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3804516/

Alex Hedstrom was an Associate Producer of the controversial 2003 documentary feature Taken As Directed, which gained attention and praise for its strident consumer advocacy and harsh criticism of government policy. Alex is an active musician, writing and recording music with the band A Study in Her. Alex also spent four years as a public school teacher in Baltimore County, MD, focusing on video production and editing.

Paul Weiss PRODUCER IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/ nm10215561/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

Paul Weiss has worked on a variety of film projects since graduating with a BFA in Film, Video and Animation from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is the co-writer and producer of the series Dollar Theater. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Resumes

Lindsay Mercer PRODUCER, PRODUCTION MANAGER IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4597195/

Lindsay Mercer brings to the table six years of film and television experience as a Producer, Coordinator and Accountant. She’s worked in the Accounting Departments of the $65 million Warner Brothers feature film The Invasion, the ten-hour ESPN miniseries The Bronx is Burning and ABC and HBO television pilots. She’s served as a Production Coordinator on numerous television productions as well as the 2009 Kennedy Center Honors.

Angelica Page JEANETTE TURNER (LEAD ACTOR) IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868125/

Her highly acclaimed award winning solo play Edge garnered her an Outer Critics Circle Nomination (Best Solo Performance 2003). She received The Helen Hayes Award (Best Actress 2000) and New York People's Choice Award in the Best Supporting Actress category (1999) for her roles in the Tony Award winning Sideman. Her feature film credits include a memorable turn in The Sixth Sense.

David Costabile ALEX TURNER (LEAD ACTOR) IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182345/

David Costabile is best known for his television roles on , Billions, The Wire and Flight of the Conchords. His numerous film credits include supporting roles in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln and The Post. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Resumes

JD Cullum ANTHONY TURNER (LEAD ACTOR) IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191631/

A member of the distinguishedAntaeus Company, JD Cullum’s feature film credits include Good Night and Good Luck, Leatherheads, Glory and Reversal of Fortune. He has also appeared in numerous television shows including Mad Men and Law and Order.

Michele Pawk LISA TURNER (LEAD ACTOR) IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0667999/

Michelle Pawk won the Tony Award (Best Featured Actress in a Play 2002) for her performance in Hollywood Armsas well being nominated for a Drama Desk Award (Oustanding Featured Actress 1992) for her role in the Gershwin-inspired Crazy for You. She was featured in Hairspray and Mamma Mia!

Liz Cassedy ALICE TURNER (SUPPORTING ACTOR) IMDb PAGE » https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4173952/

Actress/Dancer Elizabeth Cassedy has embodied an array of movement styles over the past ten years ranging from modern, gymnasticsand most recently Asian-influenced movement. Elizabeth performed with the movement ensemble show, Paraffin, for two years in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD. Elizabeth has a taste for the avantgarde and when she is not acting she delves into the visual arts. As an actress and casting director, known for *Loosely Exactly Nicole (2016), Kill the Devil (2017) and The Turner Exhibit (2018). THE TURNER EXHIBIT Production Notes Towson University Gratitude Those students have in turn helped tens of by Mathew Gregory Bainbridge other Towson students get their first jobs in the business. I am very proud of the legacy of 12 Years ago while working for John Waters, students who worked on “The Turner Exhibit”, and looking for Summer income, I accidentally and grateful for all of the work that they ended up a job as a Professor at Towson generated for themselves and The Maryland University. Going back to the days of making Film Industry. movies for the pure love of cinema and spending time with young passionate movie lovers re-energized me.

Part of my job involves helping students prepare for a career in the motion picture industry. I am proud to say that I have helped dozens of students to get their professional start in the industry. In my opinion, the best way to accomplish this is place motivated students with industry professionals who can both “show them the ropes” and maybe even hire the students one day. Before “The Turner Exhibit” I was able to make recommendations, but I never had the opportunity to place students with the people that could help them be successful.

I made an announcement on Facebook requesting a few volunteers, and to my surprise 30 students showed up for a Production meeting. In the end 15 students ended volunteering to work on the movie, and I am proud to say that 11 of them were able to gain and maintain employment in the motion picture industry. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Production Notes Lullaby Ode to Ellicott City

One of the most moving moments within “The In light of recent events, the makers of “The Turner Exhibit” involves a lullaby sung by the Turner Exhibit” would like make a special effort character of Alex Turner (David Costabile) to his to acknowledge the contributions of the people daughter Alice (Elizabeth Cassidy). of Ellicott City to the production.

The lullaby is entitled “The Sandman’s Coming Low budget movies are demanding, and a in his Train of Cars”, and little is known of it’s productions success or failure often comes origin. After reading dozens of old and obscure down to finding the right location. Most lullabies the Sandman was selected, because involved with the production were Baltimore Director Mathew Gregory Bainbridge felt the based, and the script required a high priced lyrics possessed a beautiful and haunting tone suburban home, rural one story home that that mirrored the tone he wanted to capture in hadn’t been remolded since the 1970’s, a the scene. camping site and upscale country open market space. One week before Production began, Mathew went up to New York to meet the cast and Financially speaking it was advisable to have conduct a read through of the script. During all of these locations within 20 minutes of each the read through David Costabile asked other. Not an easy task to accomplish. After Mathew what the melody was to the lullaby. some help from the Maryland Film Office, the Mathew froze, he hadn’t actually thought production was directed to Rachelina Bonacci about it before. The lullaby is obscure and Executive Director of Howard County Tourism & Mathew had never heard any one preform Promotion. Rachelina generously spent several it. Mathew’s response was candid. “David, I afternoons showing Mathew Bainbridge around have no idea. I can’t sing and have no musical Howard County, eventually finding a store instincts, you have sung on Broadway, me telling (Shoemaker Country) in beautiful historic Ellicott you how to do this seems insane.” David asked City Maryland that was not only perfect, but for a couple days to work on it. allowed to production to shoot for free.

On the day of the shoot, Mathew asked David Ellicott City also happened to have the correct to not let any one hear his version of the range of homes, and two radically different lullaby. One the first take, David’s version was houses that could accommodate a crew of 30 so moving that both members of the crew and people within 20 minutes of each other were Elizabeth Cassidy began to spontaneously cry. procured. It was a lost take, but an uplifting moment. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Production Notes Tragically, after the shooting was completed, person lashing out at years of patronizing Ellicott City was hit with two apocalyptic floods behavior, not an accurate document of a family that have completely wiped out the historic event. downtown area. Bainbridge was heavily influenced by optical Still Photo Sequences printing effects which were once popular in the 1960’s and 70’s. Director of Photography “The Turner Exhibit” features 3 stand-out William Gray is an accomplish… See more sequences that involve family gatherings visually represented through a series of still Casting as told by Mathew Gregory Bainbridge photographs taken by Alex Turner (David The first question I usually get when people Costabile). The amateurish photographs, with first heard about “The Turner Exhibit” was “How poor framing, strange angles, awkward timing, did you find your cast?”. The short answer is, exposure, flash and focus errors cover the time because of my screenplay. The more elaborate span of the each gathering. All portrayed in answer has to do with Casting Director Donna these images come across as buffoonish and DeSeta. petty. To find an Casting Agent that could All of this was very much by design, going all accommodate the needs of a picture like “The the back to the first draft of the screenplay Turner Exhibit” I had look in New York. This which had a seven page document featuring was both an exciting and terrifying prospect. sample images detailing how the photographs Up to this point all of the incredible people within the movie might look. Writer/Director who had committed to the project were Mathew Gregory Bainbridge wanted a former colleagues of mine who knew what collection of every type of amateur photography I was capable of. In New York all I had was a mistake. At first appearing to be an innocuous screenplay. No reputation to fall back on. If my satire of every family slideshow forced upon script wasn’t as good as I believed it to be, New legions over courteous neighbors, but upon York Casting Agents and Actors would let me closer inspection these images are meant to know. reveal something much darker about both the After several days of research, I reached out story and perspective from which it is told. Donna Deseta in the form of a cold call. Donna That perspective belongs to the character listened to my pitched and informed me that of Alex Turner, and close inspection of the she doesn’t really work on short movies, but was photographs tell the audience much more intrigued enough to look over the script and about Alex’s perspective than the actual events provide feedback. Days later Donna called to themselves. They are a vivid portrait of an angry tell me that she would work on this movie. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Production Notes

Both Donna and myself were a bit scared to While all of this was going on, an Editor had see actors response to material this dark and to step down down due to Lyme Disease, the off-center, but to our surprise every actor we photo montage sequences had to be re-made offered the role to loved the script. Even actors several times, and the first composer became who were unavailable during our shooting dates unavailable. Health problems and several went as far as recommend other actors for us to deaths in the family also contributed to a post- work with. production process that stretched on for years.

Post Production Anguish That said, every set back resulted in an improvement in the overall quality of the final Production on The Turner Exhibit was a smooth movie. As everyone who had to be replaced and joyful with minimal problems. Post- was replaced with a higher quality professional. Production was a bit more challenging. Just The editing by Michael Walsh, score by Amy enough money to safely get through production Gordon, color by Matthew Riggieri and post- was raised, but not quite enough to get through sound work by Studio Unknown are some of post-production. the strongest elements in the movie. Proof that perseverance pays off. Everyone involved with “The Turner Exhibit” refused to compromise on quality after so Production Philosophy much work went into forming a company, recruiting talent and shooting the movie. So, All of the principal members of the production Mat (The Director and Co-Producer) moved on team (Director and Producers) had all made to Aunt’s couch, drove an 18 year old car, gave so-called D.Y.I. movies in the past, and felt that up on a social life, freelance career and saved making another no budget short movie was at $20,000 on a teacher’s salary which still wasn’t best a lateral move. The only way to grow as quite enough. So, for a year Mat worked 60 to both artists and motion picture professionals 75 hours a week, teaching 4 separate college was to work with the most intelligent and courses while working full-time as a Network experienced collaborators possible. After Operations Technician for an International Fiber completing the script, Mathew Gregory Optics Company. Bainbridge gathered together a trusted group of professional contemporaries, all of whom agreed to make “The Turner Exhibit” as if it were an independent feature movie. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Production Notes

A business was formed, investor package created and money was raised. The belief was that any project worth making should be executed to the highest possible standard. While everyone involved did make the enormous personal and financial sacrifices to make “The Turner Exhibit” happen, professional cast and crew were acquired (all agreeing to work for well less than their standard fees after reading the screenplay) and paid in accordance with union rules and regulations.

The final cast and crew consist of Emmy and Tony winners, not mention several production members with Oscar nominees and winners on their resumes. For all involved “The Turner Exhibit” was a labor of love and their unyielding belief in the project is evident every frame of the finished movie. A motion picture whose production quality is derived from the strength of it’s ideas, rather than it’s running time. THE TURNER EXHIBIT Press

The “What’s Your Story?” podcast is produced by Towson University’s Col- lege of Fine Arts and Communication. WYS - Mathew Bainbridge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIXq4E9bn9M

What Weekly Artist Profile Mathew Bainbridge

https://whatweekly.com/2012/05/22/mathew-bainbridge/

Episode 68 - Print the Legend: Fernando Madrigal with Mathew Bainbridge https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-the-debatable-podcas-27703235/epi- sode/episode-68-print-the-legend-27709737/

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