Film Lookbook by Andrew Vallentine

film lookbook BY Andrew Vallentine

SummerOf05.indd 1 2/15/16 8:57 PM SummerOf05.indd 2 2/15/16 8:57 PM FILM lookbook BY Andrew Vallentine

SummerOf05.indd 3 2/15/16 8:57 PM SummerOf05.indd 4 2/15/16 8:57 PM A Note From Andrew

This story is incredibly personal to me, while the film is Visuals are key to this story — as in every video I direct. a work of fiction, the majority of the character and story You can expect beautifully thought out symmetrical elements are based on personal experiences I’ve had masters, with stunning natural light and longer growing up in a small town in Michigan. handheld shots that stay with our characters as they experience the joys and tragedies of the summer. The backbone of the story deals with one of our characters knowing that he is dying of liver cancer. As Capturing the way characters the film progresses so does his illness. With the support feel while listening to music in film can be difficult, of his best friends he is able to live out his life the way no one wants to watch a character listen to a song he wants, on his terms. When I was 20, I was diagnosed for three minutes; however, in real life during those with acute liver failure, and was hospitalized for over two three minutes, music can have a profound impact months. My life was put on hold, my relationships with on our emotional state and helps us make decisions friends and family were tested in the face of this disease determining what the next step will be. Summer of that left doctors clueless. ’05 uses music to its advantage, in various moments throughout the film we will watch and listen as our Unlike our main character in the film I was able characters express their emotions through songs overcome this illness. While I live with its consequences recorded live on set. The music they will be singing are daily, I am able to live my life without pain. covers of songs by popular bands of the 2000s like, The Postal Service, Rilo Klley, and The Middle East. Songs While I now live in Los Angeles, that these bands sang defined my generation but yet still having spent many summers in Michigan in my youth, feel timeless to youth today. there is something truly special about the mitten. Its midwestern charm, its gorgeous sunsets over Lake The hope is that his film will be a nostalgic throwback to Michigan, and the how it makes you feel that the world my generation, and an introduction to new music for the stops spinning and slows down for those few months younger generation. until the leaves start to change colors.

SummerOf05.indd 5 2/15/16 8:57 PM Log Line

One lifetime in one summer.

Summer of 05 brings four best friends back together a year after high school at the request of their dying best friend to spend his final months together at a cabin in northern Michigan.

SummerOf05.indd 6 2/15/16 8:57 PM tone

Tonally, the film should be a collision greater—the complicated process of our of different genres—drama, comedy, own becoming, the challenge of change, romance, and musical elements. The and the death of our old selves that we all world of these friends is beautiful but have to reckon with as we grow up. The burdened, whimsical but with dark tone of the movie should feel like growing edges, and always nostalgic. Summer up—it walks a fine line between comedy, of ’05 draws on the coming-of-age vibe drama, and the emotional sucker-punch of The Fault in our Stars, the relatable of music hitting us as it weaves into and and aspirational characters like in The out of our lives. Breakfast Club, and the feel of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. While the impending death of one of the characters guides the story, this should not feel like a maudlin film about a teenager’s death. Rather, this film is about something

SummerOf05.indd 7 2/15/16 8:57 PM THEME

Acceptance is the theme of this The characters in this story are each film. Personal acceptance of failure, wrestling with the idea of growing up. acceptance for the failures of They have come to the point in their others, acceptance of (and in a way, lives where they must make a decision acquiescence to) life and the unknowable on which path they will take as they forces constantly at work around us. But move on. Even though each character it is important to emphasize that here has made plans for who they want (or acceptance does not equal surrender didn’t want) to be, through the course or defeat. There is great comfort in of this summer, with the help of the this kind of acceptance and I want the protagonist, George, they must draw on viewers to wrap themselves in the safety, their own strength, and the strength of adventure, and opportunity that emerges others, to find a way through the crucible once we finally learn how and when to and come out the other side with the accept. fortitude to blaze forward without fear of the unknown. They can accept fear, they can accept sorrow and pain, and they can accept joy—that is what it means to be alive and truly live in each day.

SummerOf05.indd 8 2/15/16 8:57 PM visual direction & Playlist

Even in the darkest moments, there the darkest dark surrounds the light of should always be an irrevocable light at the story—George—so the lighting will the film’s core. be essential to setting the tone and mood of each scene. I am not trying to capture There should always be a distance the flashiness of a musical, rather, I’m separating the viewer from the action of interested in using practical light sources the group. The camera will be placed in to lift the story up into the truth of each ways that allows the viewer to be peering moment, to strip away as much artifice into the story, prying covertly into the as possible and the light speak for itself. conversation of our characters. The intimacy should feel intrusive and just The musical performances will be raw, out of our reach to mirror the way the stripped down, and performed live on set. friends feel unwelcome in a place that In doing so, the goal is that the viewer had always been comfortable and safe. has a moment of reprieve to accept and The blocking of the characters is also process the pain, joy, and sorrow of the crucial. The way they move around one characters. The performances will put a another should be subtle and natural. pause on the story while saturating what it feels like for the characters to be alive Coming from the realm of music videos, in that moment through the magic of I want to emphasize the importance of music and their performances. lighting throughout the film. In the story,

1. Such Great Heights - The Postal Service 2. Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley 3. Mama Said - The Shills 4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John 5. Michigan - The Milk Carton Kids 6. Blood - The Middle East 7. Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

SummerOf05.indd 9 2/15/16 8:57 PM character bio

GEORGE is the patriarch of his group of hopes for GEORGE. The problem now is friends. that GEORGE has been diagnosed with terminal liver disease and is given three He is funny, outgoing, well-liked by all months to live. GEORGE must now rely (homecoming king to boot!), worldly, on his friends in the way they have always and wise beyond his years. GEORGE’s relied on him. GEORGE has one tragic parents died when he was young and flaw—he has also been the guy everyone has been raised by a distant uncle for relied on, and now it’s his turn to search most of his life. His friends are his only out for help and it’s tough for him to sit on family. GEORGE is handsome and tall. the other side of the table. He’s the one that everyone goes to when any type of problem arises and he always His favorite band is: The Killers. has the solution. Everyone had high

GEORGE

SummerOf05.indd 10 2/15/16 8:57 PM casting//influencers

Brandon Skeie Scott Hoying Jack Harries

181,709 YouTube Subscribers 497K Followers on Twitter 2.46M Followers on Twitter 42.7K Twitter Followers 777K Followers on Instagram 1.8M Followers on Instagram 72.4K Instagram Followers 294,393 Subscribers on YouTube 4.2M Subscribers on YouTube From London

Kian Lawley Shawn Mendes

2.56M Followers on Twitter 5.63M Followers on Twitter 3M Followers on Instagram 1.4M Subscribers on YouTube 3.1M YouTube Subscribers 7.9M Followers on Instagram

SummerOf05.indd 11 2/15/16 8:57 PM Emily is GEORGE’S secret crush.

While EMILY is a midwesterner at heart, the minute she graduated from high school she had big city dreams. EMILY harbors a deep inferiority complex that drives her to be the best at everything she does, though she hasn’t yet found her passion in life. She loves CHARLIE, but knows things will most likely end soon for their relationship. She has always had a crush on GEORGE, but never pursued it because she didn’t want to hurt CHARLIE. EMILY has long brownish, blonde hair and hazel eyes. While EMILY is stunning on the outside, she struggles with depression and pills and the emotional scars of an abusive father.

Favorite artist: Dashboard Confessional.

e m i ly

SummerOf05.indd 12 2/15/16 8:57 PM Ingrid Nilsen Jenn McAllister Meg Deangelis

3.9M YouTube Subscribers 2.2M YouTube Subscribers 4.5M YouTube Subscribers 27.3K Twitter Followers 1.17M Twitter Followers 648K Twitter Followers 1.6M Instagram Followers 1.8M Instagram Followers 1.7M Instagram Followers

SummerOf05.indd 13 2/15/16 8:57 PM CHARLIE is GEORGE’S best friend and your typical all- American, corn-fed, football playing midwestern male ideal. He is tall, with silky brown hair, a little dull and sometimes hot-headed. Always sweet at heart but rough around the edges, CHARLIE lacks real ambition and has lost the shine he had in high school. CHARLIE has been dating EMILY for the past two years—he believes she is the love of his life and he will do anything to protect her and their relationship.

Favorite band: My Chemical Romance.

charlie

SummerOf05.indd 14 2/15/16 8:57 PM Josh Leyva MarkeE Miller Anthony Padilla/smosh

1.6M YouTube Subscribers 561,679 YouTube Subscribers 1.2M YouTube Subscribers (Anthony) 459K Instagram Followers 90.1K Twitter Followers 21M Youtube Subscribers (Smosh) 104K Twitter 2.34M Twitter Followers 2.3M Instagram Followers

Logan Paul

9M Vine Followers 706K Twitter Followers 3.3M Instagram Followers

SummerOf05.indd 15 2/15/16 8:57 PM ROBYN is GEORGE’s longest friend, they’ve know each other for over 10 years, and used to play when they were kids.

ROBYN is an out and proud lesbian. She is a shorter, african american woman with a beautiful head of hair. Unlike the majority of the group, ROBYN chose not to attend college because of her learning disability which hindered her throughout school. Has very little self worth.

Favorite artist: Regina Spektor.

robyn

SummerOf05.indd 16 2/15/16 8:57 PM Akilah Hughes Maya Washington Jamie Grace

21.9K Twitter Followers 663,449 YouTube Subscribers 165,652 YouTube Subscribers 109,947 YouTube Subscribers 27.1K Twitter Followers 197K Twitter Followers 13.3K Instagram Followers 185K Instagram Followers 212K Instagram Followers

SummerOf05.indd 17 2/15/16 8:57 PM Peter is one of GEORGE’s good friends.

PETER is smart, kind, awkward, and reserved. PETER is the best dressed in the group, and an avid gamer (or gay- mer) and has trouble meeting new people and making new friends. He keeps some of the more personal aspects of himself hidden from those he is closest too and submerges himself online and in his game worlds— this creates a problem when everyone moves in together for the summer. PETER is gay, and he hasn’t told his twin brother CHARLIE or many of his closest friends. PETER is absolutely terrified that his friends will find out he is gay and abandon him. Throughout the summer PETER is able to push past stereotypes and become the man he always wanted to be.

Favorite band: The Postal Service.

peter

SummerOf05.indd 18 2/15/16 8:57 PM Ricky Dillon Troye Sivan Connor Franta

2.8M YouTube Subscribers 3.45M Twitter Followers 5.2M YouTube Subscribers 2.3M Instagram Followers 3.8M YouTube Subscribers 3.82M Twitter Followers 2.34M Twitter Followers 3.4M Instagram Followers 4.6M Instagram Followers

Joey Graceffa Jack Baran Jordan Doww

5.7M YouTube Subscribers 1.3M YouTube Subscribers 56,646 YouTube Subscribers 3.5M Instagram Followers 1.13M Twitter Followers 21.5K Twitter Followers 2.7M Twitter Followers 1.2M Instagram Followers 74K Instagram Followers

SummerOf05.indd 19 2/15/16 8:57 PM michigan

The State of Michigan should feel like a key character in this film. Michigan offers a variety of gorgeous landscapes from beaches, mountains, and forests. In addition, the look of Michigan gives us a stunning canvas in which we have the opportunity to place our characters as well as putting them in midwest narrative situations, vs. a big city vibe.

SummerOf05.indd 20 2/15/16 8:57 PM reference//house

SummerOf05.indd 21 2/15/16 8:57 PM reference//shooting people

SummerOf05.indd 22 2/15/16 8:57 PM reference//shooting places

SummerOf05.indd 23 2/15/16 8:57 PM andrew’s work

SummerOf05.indd 24 2/15/16 8:57 PM view all at andrewvallentine.com

SummerOf05.indd 25 2/15/16 8:57 PM Andrew hails from the cold mitten state a sci-fi web pilot for Ron Howard’s new of Michigan where he cut his teeth company, New Form Digital. He ventured directing a spec Adele music video which into the deep forests of Utah and shot a garnered over 10 million views and a branded short film for Hooked Digital strongly-worded letter from Adele’s Media, he directed two VEVO videos and lawyer. recently shot a video in Iceland. In total, he has directed over 30 videos this past Andrew has been directing full time for year alone with over 30 million views. two years. Before that he was a video He was recently featured in a VideoInk director and producer with Fullscreen, article and as been called the “Biggest a multi-channel YouTube network. He YouTuber without a channel”. has an MFA from Chapman University, and a BA from Michigan State University. Andrew’s work has been featured on Andrew has had the opportunity to RyanSeacrest.com, PrezHilton.com, experiment with different video genres, EntertainmentWeekly.com, Idolator.com, from narrative shorts, music videos, TheAOLmusicblog.com, Towleroard.com, commercials, and branded content (as and The Huffington Post. When he’s not with Toyota, Kohl’s, Covergirl and Canon). working on videos, Andrew can be found walking the streets of Los Angeles with This past year Andrew has directed a new his dog, Pierre, and looking for the best musical pilot for AwesomenessTV and cupcake in town. andrew (director//writer)

SummerOf05.indd 26 2/15/16 8:57 PM Danny Kish is a fourth generation Michigander who moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in screenwriting and film. When he’s not lamenting the absence of fall and the Great Lakes, he is writing, watching TV and movies, reading, masquerading as a runner, and endlessly Googling community orchestras for him to join. Since heading into the west, Danny has worked as a development assistant to the Oscar- nominated producer Barry Mendel, worked as an assistant on the Judd Apatow film, Trainwreck, and he has attended every screenwriter panel offered by the WGA Foundation. As an unabashed lover of stories of every medium, Danny voraciously consumes anything from plays and musicals to comics and poetry. Chief among Danny’s greatest aspirations is writing stories that take place in his home state and enriching the national conversation about Michigan and its cities.

danny (writer)

SummerOf05.indd 27 2/15/16 8:57 PM SummerOf05.indd 28 2/15/16 8:57 PM thank you

Download the script and digital version of this book at: www.theavcrew.video/summerof05

MANAGEMENT: The Coronel Group 1100 Glendon Avenue 17th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90024 Office: 310-689-7320 Email: [email protected]

Contact Direcly: [email protected]

SummerOf05.indd 29 2/15/16 8:57 PM SummerOf05.indd 30 2/15/16 8:57 PM