Method in Madness
An actress playing Ophelia struggles to connect with her character and breaks under pressure in the pursuit of perfection on opening night of a production of Hamlet. Alone in her dressing room she looses grip of reality and spirals into a self destructive frenzy. But is it method or madness?
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Elise LambDirectorThe Crown
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Elise LambWriter
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Elise LambProducer
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Jemma PotgieterCinematographer
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Steven John SullivanCinematographer
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Jodie TaylorProduction DesignerThor: Ragnarok
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Sarah Harrison1st Assistant Director
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Hussain Ahmad JawadSound Recording
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Jocelyn ZhuEditor
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Elise LambEditor
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Jess PottsKey Cast"The Actress / Ophelia"
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Cristo FernandezKey Cast"Hamlet"Ted Lasso
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Greg ScurrKey Cast"Laertes"
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Elise LambKey Cast"The Stage Manager"
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John StibbardKey Cast"Claudius "
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Mike ZarateKey Cast"Polonius"
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Drama
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Runtime:8 minutes
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Completion Date:May 24, 2019
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Production Budget:300 AUD
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Country of Origin:Australia
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Country of Filming:Australia
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Black Magic
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:Yes - Griffith Film School
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Lift-Off Global Network First-Time Filmmaker SessionsLondon
United Kingdom
October 20, 2019
Official Selection -
Los Angeles CineFestLos Angeles
United States
January 12, 2020
Semi-Finalist -
Sydney Lift-Off Film FestivalSydney
Australia
November 16, 2020
Official Selection -
Shakespeare ShortsStratford-upon-Avon
United Kingdom
Finalist -
Paris International Film AwardsParis
France
August 29, 2021
WINNER - Best Director -
Paris International Film AwardsParis
France
August 29, 2021
WINNER - Best Cinematography -
Los Angeles Lift-Off Film FestivalLos Angeles
United States
September 20, 2021
Official Selection
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia and classically trained as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Elise's filmmaking career is preceded by almost two decades of work as an actor, dancer and theatre-maker in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Driven by the desire to create and tell her own stories, Elise expanded into writing and directing in 2012 when she made her first short film BLOWN for Tropfest.
In 2016, Elise graduated from the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London with a Master of Arts in Advanced Theatre Practice and was awarded the Ian Potter Cultural Trust. Upon graduating, she was accepted onto the Young Vic Director’s Program and was awarded a Bursary from Sir Nicholas Hytner to develop her writing at the National Theatre. Her debut full length play THE AUSTRALIAN GIRL was workshopped at The Old Vic Labs and produced Off-West End at Theatre N16. Other plays presented in London include A DANCE OF TWO SISTERS and DEEDS, NOT WORDS at the Pleasance Theatre and LOST IN BANK at Greenwich Theatre.
In 2019, Elise obtained a Graduate Certificate in Screen Production from Griffith Film School with her graduating film METHOD IN MADNESS being selected as a Semi-Finalist for the Los Angeles CineFest.
Elise is currently developing her own slate of work including a Proof of Concept for the screen adaptation of her play THE AUSTRALIAN GIRL and a Television Drama Series ROCKING OUT which was long-listed for the Screen Queensland + Stan Premium Drama Development Fund.
As a filmmaker, Elise creates powerful imagery and utilises the camera to capture intimate moments. Her background in theatre is a solid foundation for her understanding of story and character. Her extensive acting experience allows her to connect with her actors and guide authentic visceral performances with her dance knowledge aiding the development of the physical narrative. As a storyteller, she is passionate about points of difference and exploring the female experience through the female lens.
Elise is a member of the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) & Australian Directors' Guild (ADG).
www.eliselamb.com
This film is inspired by my own personal experiences as an actress and my love for Shakespeare. METHOD IN MADNESS explores the vulnerability and strength of the Actress and makes the audience question what is real and what is not?
Influenced by BLACK SWAN (Dir. Darren Aronofsky) and BIRDMAN (Dir. Alejandro G. Inarritu) we attempted handheld point of view shots and long single takes to create atmosphere and allow the viewer an uninterrupted journey with the protagonist.
METHOD IN MADNESS is the 2019 graduating film from the GRIFFITH FILM SCHOOL Graduate Certificate in Screen Production.