A Note From the Director
My name is Elliott Geolat, and I am a dancer, choreographer and filmmaker. I have been a member of the Saint Louis Ballet since 2000, and my films have been shown in numerous film festivals and art shows. Most recently, In the Pines was screened in the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Los Angeles Dance Film Festival. I am now embarking on the most ambitious, challenging and collaborative project of my life, a narrative dance film that will feature the talents of over 20 artists.
The Backstory
I am originally from a region known as The Old Lead Belt of Missouri. Growing up, I heard many stories about my infamous great-great-grandfather, Josiah Ashlock. He was a lead miner with a violent temper and was feared by many. According to legend, he single-handedly subdued a labor strike by marching into the mine with a shotgun. Mary, my great-great-grandmother, was the complete opposite. She was a kind, spiritual woman who stood by her cruel husband until the end. Shortly after her untimely death, heartbroken, Josiah left the house one night and walked into a snowstorm without a jacket or warm clothing and died himself.
The Film
The production of Ashlock will bring together over twenty local professional artists to tell this tragic tale and, in a manner of speaking, resurrect the complex and intense characters who were my great-great-grandparents. In addition to directing, I am choreographing two dance sequences for the film. The first will be a touching solo for Mary Ashlock who will be played by Audrey Honert of the Saint Louis Ballet. It will transport her character from the confines of domesticity to a surreal realm within her imagination. The second will be an exciting all-male ensemble piece led by Milan Valko, also of Saint Louis Ballet, as Josiah Ashlock. This "Miners' Dance" will see the men of both Saint Louis Ballet and The Big Muddy Dance Company joining forces for the first time on camera.
Seven vocalists and musicians will be producing three new recordings of music from the public domain. Josiah Ashlock was of Scandinavian lineage, so two of these pieces are Norwegian - a wistful aria from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt for Mary's solo and a haunting folk song of mysterious origin as the theme of the film. The third is the traditional American song, "Ain't No Grave" for the aforementioned "Miners' Dance." This recording will bring about an exciting collaboration between local three-piece band, The Gateway Ramblers and Kentucky-born celllist, composer and singer, Ben Sollee. Music by Mr. Sollee can be heard in film and television. In addition to having music placed in ABC’s Parenthood and HBO’s Weeds, he wrote a song for Killing Season, a feature film starring John Travolta and Robert De Niro.
I am again working closely with friend and cinematographer, Christopher Gibbs on this project. As the resident videographer for both Saint Louis Ballet and The Big Muddy Dance Company, he is an expert at filming dance. Sigmund Mulnik, our photographer and key grip from past projects, will be returning, as well. We intend to film Ashlock with more and better camera and lighting equipment than ever before in order to bring professional technical standards to a production that is otherwise so rich in talent.
Making it Possible
In order to make Ashlock, we will need your help. At the top of the list, of course, are the equipment rentals, but there are so many other expenses. There is the recording and mastering of the new music tracks at a professional studio. In addition to, at least, 20 costumes for all the dancers and extras, we will need props and set dressing. There will, also, be travel and craft service expenses. Some of our shoots will be outside of St. Louis and will require hours of work, so food and water must be provided for the cast and crew. In some cases, fuel and accommodations may need to be provided. Furthermore, these professional artists deserve to be compensated for their contribution to this film. I would love it if this production could offer some financial assistance, if little, to these hardworking people.
Other Ways You Can Help
For those who cannot afford to contribute funds but would like to help us, please spread the word about our film anyway you can. Social media and word-of-mouth are powerful tools for promotion, and do not forget to use the Indiegogo share tools. On behalf of the cast and crew of Ashlock, I thank you for your interest and support!
Sincerely,
Elliott Geolat
http://www.facebook.com/ashlockfilm
https://twitter.com/Ashlock_film
Instagram: #ashlockfilm
