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Leap
Directed by Marlo Bernier
Narrative Short
USA | 16 min | 2016
A survivor of sexual abuse rethinks suicide after falling in with a group of drifters. Winner of Breakout Performance at the 17th Annual FirstGlance Film Festival.
Director Statement
Back in the late summer of 2015, I couldn’t have been more honored when I was asked by friend and colleague, Jamie Miller (writer-producer) if I would consider directing her and her producing partner’s (Tyler Ham Pong) newest offering; LEAP for their production company; Kill The Pig Productions
I had zero reservation and immediately said yes and from the moment we went into pre-production, through and into rehearsals and then production, I couldn’t be happier and more fortunate that she had asked me.
The people with whom they surrounded themselves, both in front of and behind the lens, are some of the finest artisans on the current scene here in Los Angeles.
This film, LEAP is one where we were able to capture and deliver an entire arc inside the parameters of this short-subject narrative. Both for the protagonist (Miller’s character, Jane), as well as the supporting characters, respectively.
Working on this picture with this company has been one of the highlights of my career and one of which I am very proud. Everyone’s commitment to this story, the attention to detail, both in front of and behind the lens is unparalleled and nothing short of true joy to have been a part of this team.
I look forward to screening this work with an audience as soon as possible and many times over, too. LEAP offers us as a society an opportunity to cut open a subject that is one of the least pleasant things with which we have to tragically deal – sexual abuse. And in so doing, perhaps the hope is that we’ll continue talking about it and ultimately bring it to its end. And if we have any chance at making this happen, we as a community of people must continue the dialogue and bring the secrets that kill out of the darkness and into the light.
In closing, I’ll state what I hope and believe is true for all of us on whom it is incumbent to make motion pictures, et al.
So, with no alternative, I know very well that this effort is hardly a solo act, but rather a collaborative one of formidable proportions and it is toward this end that I, along with my colleagues, are acutely aware that it is the forces opposing which ultimately drive and deliver anything worthy of note ~ especially that of cinema. And I have zero reservation that we have delivered just that with our picture, LEAP.
Marlo Bernier
Director
LEAP is Bernier’s third motion picture for which she’d been honored when asked by friend and colleague, Jamie Miller (writer-producer and lead actor) to direct.
Her other recent work includes; Myrna TV Series (pilot episode) – is Bernier’s 5th project as producer/co-writer and her 7th in an originating-creative capacity.
Marlo and company had their taste of triumph with their Award-Winning film; The Last Time We Were…Silver Remi recipients WorldFest/Houston 2006 – bottom-line; the bar had been raised when Marlo’s, Jackie Frost Films in association with writing/producing partner, Jennifer Fontaine’s, Scorpio Rising Films became a filmmaking union with which to be reckoned, delivering their Freshman effort from principal photography to the screen in under five months. Only to be surpassed by their recent delivery of their short film STEALTH, from first frame to screen in under eight weeks. And in May 2009, Bernier and Fontaine were contracted by Mississippi Films to co-pen; Finding John Smith, which they accomplished in under six weeks and also which Marlo was subsequently hired to helm. – plain english; breakneck speed.
Equally important to her filmmaker credits, Bernier brings 50 plus years of living to the table, as well as over two decades of solid work on both stage and screen. On stage Bernier repeatedly delivered award ~ winning performances in leading roles on the stage in Angels in America; Parts I and II, Love! Valour! Compassion!, God’s Country. Along with memorable guest roles in COLD CASE, Homicide: Life on the Street, Las Vegas and ALIAS. And on the larger screen in The Last Time We Were…and in Fincher’s ZODIAC.
