Antalgia
What is grief?
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Robert David DuncanDirectorhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm5399017
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Robert David DuncanWriterhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm5399017
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Robert David DuncanProducerhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm5399017
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Robert David DuncanKey Casthttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm5399017
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Robert David DuncanCinematographerhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm5399017
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Robert David DuncanEditorhttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm5399017
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Project Type:Experimental, Short
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Genres:Micro short
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Runtime:1 minute
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Completion Date:September 13, 2016
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Country of Origin:Canada
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Country of Filming:Canada
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Smartphone (iPhone 6S+)
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
My core training in acting is from the Stella Adler Studio in New York. I love acting and filmmaking and Vancouver where I now live is a beautiful place to make films. I am interested in the dramas, delights, passions and heartbreaks that take place in everyday interactions (or lack thereof) between ordinary people. Most of my films have dealt with human-scale issues such as tough choices, love, dreams, hope and finding meaning and fun in life. I love an underdog story! My motto is don't let anything get in the way of telling a story that might uplift someone - film it with your smartphone if that's what you have, but get it done and share it with the world.
Antalgia is the natural tendency of our bodies to tilt away from internal pain, which causes our posture to go out of alignment. Only when healing occurs, do we straighten back up, and regain our ability to carry on as before. The word antalgia has its roots in the Greek words "ant" and "algos" or anti-pain. I thought this was an interesting metaphor for contemplating our responses to grief. I had chanced upon a memorial cluster of flowers and a ribbon on the beach, so I paused to take some footage. I took a moment to reflect while sitting on a bench nearby, and jotted down the narrative for the film. In post, I applied a pen and ink effect that I think works really nicely with the imagery and the lens flaring at the end of the film.