The Transgressor - Senior Thesis Film at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts
The Transgressor (2017) - Trailer
The Transgressor - Trailer
Victoria Duncan - Gold Star Film Festival
Lady Filmmakers Q&A
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In a dystopian society where music is outlawed, a child spy is forced to choose between obeying the rules and following her heart.
Director's Statement
As a long-time history buff and lover of dystopian fiction, I've always been intrigued by the sociology of group mentality-- when people conform to what their community encourages rather than pursuing their truth. Where and when you are born is so arbitrary, yet can determine your entire destiny.
How sad that one's potential is limited by what society
accepts, yet the "norm" varies drastically around the world.
What are these rules and why do we need to follow them?
This film serves as an allegory for those born where they don't fit.
Universally, these people face the ultimate choice:
Conform for survival while betraying their true selves,
or pursue happiness at the risk of rejection or even death.
I hope after watching this film, viewers can look at their own communities with a more critical eye and a greater empathy
towards those who go against the grain.
Awards:
Best Drama - Gold Star Film Festival 2018
Best LGBTQ+ Short - Lady Filmmakers Film Festival 2018
Editing Commendation - First Run Film Festival 2018
Top 10 Voted Films - New York Lift-Off Online Film Festival 2018
Official Selections:
Blow-Up Arthouse International Film Festival - Chicago 2018
Lady Filmmakers Film Festival 2018
New York No Limits: Short Film Series 2018
New York Lift-Off Online Film Festival 2018
Cannes Film Festival: Short Film Corner 2018
First Run Film Festival 2018
Longleaf Film Festival 2018
International New York Film Festival - Semi-Finalist 2018
Halloween International Film Festival 2017
Gold Star Film Festival 2017
FILM FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
We shot on location in the Outer Banks of North Carolina over the course of 5 days. We chose sites like Jockey's Ridge National Park and the Elizabethan Gardens to give the film and otherworldly feel.
Our cast comprised of talent from North Carolina and Georgia, including local talent from the rural coastal towns along the Outer Banks.
PRE-PRODUCTION
CONCEPT ART
CREDITS
Directed, Written, and Executive Produced by
Victoria Duncan
Executive Producer
William C. Duncan
Line Producers
Victoria Duncan
Alexander Frasse
Co-Producers
Gina Boone
Michelle Bucci
Director of Photography
Sheldon Walker
Production Designers
Andreas Beissel
Stephanie Shulman
Victoria Duncan
Edited by Avishai Weinberger
Associate Producer
Betsy Brown
Music Composer
Markus Zakaria
Casting Director
Victoria Duncan
First Assistant Director
Sarah Johnson
Second Assistant Director
Jessica Wasserlauf
Cast
Amanda - Reese Hoggard
Mary - Bryce Whitney Ferrall
Ms. Johnson - Amanda Szymczak
Commander - Alexander Michael Wilson
Teacher - Savannah Brown
Child Spies - Keyarie Blackwell
Dara Yates
Sarah Dickens
Grace Folds
Jacob Cole Beam
Evan Cabral
Students
Peyton Cabral
Blake Cabral
Rae Couch
Damon Horak
Grace Folds
Taylor Brooks
Kathleen Beam
Hannah Montgomery
Kathryn Montgomery
Hannah Curcio
Darcy Kampe
Alina Galecki
Rubie Shoemaker
Johnny Metacarpa
Collin Sullivan
Leah Mandis
Soldiers
Andreas Beissel
Adrian Al-Khalidi
Stunt Weapons Courtesy of The Specialists Ltd.
Production Supervisor
Mark DePace
Script Supervisor - Lauryn Green
1st Assistant Camera - Sejal Kothari
2nd Assistant Camera - William Brooks
Camera Operator - Sung Hyun Kim
Key Grip - Andrew Bullington
Grips - Nekira Shavonne Woodbury
Shane Norton
Gaffer - Kat Cameron
Sound Mixer - Eamon Fay
Boom Operator - Christine Johnson
Hair and Make-Up - Candace Demery
Transportation - William Duncan
Catherine Duncan
Sandy Hoggard
Whitney Ferrall
Alexander Frasse
Kat Cameron
Jessica Wasserlauf
Production Assistants
Lakeya Mason
Daniel Haut
Langston Cabral
Tyler Bucci
Adrian Al-Khalidi
Chef
Catherine Duncan (Mommy Chef)
Visual Effects - Mark DePasquale
Sound Designer - Markus Zakaria
Colorist - Avishai Weinberger
Song Credits -
PACHELBEL’S CANON IN D
(Johann Pachelbel)
Performed by [artist]
Published by [publishing company]
Courtesy of [recording licensor]
CLAIR DE LUNE
(Claude Debussy)
Performed by [artist]
Published by [publishing company]
Courtesy of [recording licensor]
Special Thanks
The Elizabethan Gardens
Hatteras Realty
Jockey’s Ridge National Park
Cape Hatteras Secondary School
Vondie Curtis Hall
Noah Price
Mike Herder
Alrick Brown
Christina DeHaven
Don Roy King
Joseph Gilford
Mark Arywitz
Sisa Holguin
Thomas Gall
Guy Gaster
Holly Austin
Carl Curnutte
Debo Cox
Bo Wallis
Beth Rooks
Catering
Gidget's Pizza and Pasta
Surfin' Pig Barbecue
Food Lion
Locations
The Elizabethan Gardens
Hatteras Realty
Jockey’s Ridge National Park
Cape Hatteras Secondary School
Camera, Lenses, and Equipment courtesy of Adorama, Handheld, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts
Picture Edited on Adobe Premiere Pro
Produced through the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film, Television, and New Media
Advanced Narrative Workshop
Copyright 2017
New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts