Oops, My Reels

I actually updated my reels on my website not too long ago, but forgot to update them here! See below for reels of my directing, producing, and voice over work! (Editing to come soon.)

You can also get more info on my website.

Let me know what you think!

VOICE OVER DEMO 2010

New Collaboration Video, "Quietly Awake"

Over the weekend, Ryan decided to record some footage with our Flip HD cam; he's been wanting to make sort of a tone poem for awhile now, and while walking in Prospect Park, we decided to just go for it.

"Quietly Awake" 2010

Ryan Haupt

Flip Cam HD

(Edited in iMovie)

CAST
Tara Rose Stromberg

(Yes, the cast is none other than yours truly. I swear, it wasn't my decision! The director was very selective.)

Quietly Awake from Ryan Haupt on Vimeo.

Matchgirl in 35mm

In 2006, I attended the 35mm Film-making program at FAMU in Prague for one semester. During this time, fourteen of us wrote, shot and edited our own short films. I was lucky enough to shoot on 35mm film and do some post work with the talented folks at Barrandov Studios.

Though the program was rewarding, it was grueling to be up against the high expectations of our Eastern European professors. However, I must say this prepared us for the inevitable harsh criticisms of the actual film world, and forced us to break out of our comfort zones as artists.


The idea for "Matchgirl" (another working title; suggestions welcome) came from my childhood love of the Hans Christian Anderson story, "The Little Matchgirl." It was one of those stories that mom used to read to me, and subsequently made me cry every time. It's tragic, but sweet; and to a kid, those two conflicting emotions are both confusing and somewhat disturbing. When I knew I'd be visiting ye olde Prague, I thought it was the perfect backdrop for a fairytale. However, the reality of shooting a period piece proved difficult, and I later revised my script many times to reflect a more modern tone. Yet, I believe the heart of the story is still there.

I did a rough cut in Europe, and then re-edited once I was back in the city for an editing course at Tisch. Sound design was difficult, as there was no sync sound when we shot. I had to make do with the school's sound library, and when you view the film as is stands, you will see it still needs a little work in that department. The biggest element missing is music, so if anyone has any ideas or knows anyone who can compose, let me know! It really needs something, as there are gaps that needs to be filled in order for the drama to follow through.

So take a peak and let me know what you think; I'd love to hear any feedback, as I think this short deserves to be submitted somewhere, as there were so many people who gave their time to make it happen. And it goes without saying that it still occupies a special place in my heart.

Works on 16mm

Back at NYU: Tisch, I took a semester of 16mm Filmmaking with professor Rick Litvin. They were shot with a crew of four (a rotating crew of Director, Cinematographer, Sound, & Gaffer), in whatever locations were available, and with whatever props we had ready, on a chunky, German Arri camera.

Here are some of my works, in order from earliest to latest:

"Lost in the Library" 2005

A little girl gets finds herself separated from her sister on a trip to the library, shot in the eerie NYU Bobst Library. My favorite of the 16mm shorts.

CAST
Michelle Coughlin
Lili Stromberg

"Rain Shower" 2005
One of the more experimental films I've done (I'm not very good at them). I had this idea during a peculiarly rainy week, of a girl fainting/dreaming in the shower.

CAST
Tara Rose Stromberg

"Waiting for Dad" 2005
Time passes slowly when you're waiting for dad to get home safe and sound.

CAST
Ceri Stromberg
Lili Stromberg
Jim Stromberg
Tara Stromberg

"Changing Season" 2005
I like this Stranglers song, so I just sort of came up with some images - half film, half drawn - to go with it. It was shot in New Jersey's Longstreet Farm, where I used to volunteer.

CAST
Michelle Coughlin

Animation: My Early Years

I have always wanted to work on animated films. When I first went to NYU, with two years of 3D animation experience in Lightwave already under my belt, I was ready to make it a career. But juggling animation and film proved difficult, and I was forced to make a choice.

Perhaps if I had had time to refine my drawing skills, I could have been swayed. Anywho, here's a look at my works, dating all the way back to high school....

"SuperClip" 3D (Lightwave)
Went into my NYU admissions portfolio (I did the staple remover scenes; it would have taken three days to light the rest. Ahhhh, animation in the old days...)

"Legend of the Selke" 2D (Flash)
My first 2D animation in high school, also in my portfolio. Yeahhh, I sorta rushed it at the end.

"Zortian Tests" 2D (Handrawn)
And thus began my NYU: Ticsh education: My first hand drawn animations, using my favorite character, the zortian.

"Cut Out Animation" 2D (Stop Motion)
We had to make puppets from 2d elements and make a short stop motion. I decided to make it not-boring.

"Bugs Bunny" Behind the Pencil" 2D (After Effects)
My final animation thesis, based on a script I wrote with my friend Paul in H.S. Spanish class, which parodied VH1's "Behind the Music." It's a little too long, so bear with me.

Watch the Winona Bio Online!

Just this past fall, A&E aired the Winona Ryder Biography I produced in association with Triple Threat TV. Now you can watch the entire thing here!

Also check out the Jennifer Lopez episodes I created and edited as Associate Produced the year before:

• Jennifer Lopez: "Strong Roots"
• Jennifer Lopez: "Style Icon"
• Jennifer Lopez: "Musical Roots"

"Day of Embers" Trailer Out!

When a mini disaster strikes, Katy's family undergoes a true role reversal. Why can't she just be a kid?

"Day of Embers" [Working Title]

DIRECTOR: Tara Rose Stromberg
EDITOR: Phil Chernyak
PRODUCERS: James Morrison, Joshua Goolsby
DP: Andrew Willis
MUSIC: Ryan Haupt

ACTORS:
Gianna Dafflisio (Katy)
Jason Schulmann (Peter)
Chris McNamara (Glenn)
Rebecca Hailey (Lorraine)