“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Guillaume Apollinaire, poet extraordinaire and completely at your service.” Guillaume Apollinaire was one of the most influential arts figures in pre-WWI Paris. He wrote poetry in the Cubist style, and he promoted the avant-garde in his arts criticism. He also introduced his long-time friend Pablo Picasso to Georges […]
Playing in the orchestra for Maurice Ravel’s ballet Daphnis et Chloé draws violinist Sylvia Lewis deeper into a dangerous plot threatening to upend the musical circles of Paris. Ravel’s music for the ancient Greek love story is scored for a large orchestra (with quadruple winds) and full chorus. On the Théâtre du Châtelet stage, Sergei […]
I’m excited to let you know that my screenplay, Finding Sylvie, was selected as a finalist in the De Anza College 17th Annual Screenplay Competition. I was honored to be included in the Student Film and Video show on June 21, where the winner was announced. Congratulations to Nika Arasteh, who won for her screenplay, Paths […]
This lovely painting depicts an important location in my screenplay, Finding Sylvie. Sylvie studies violin at the Paris Conservatory in 1912. She also plays in the Châtelet Theater orchestra for the premier of Maurice Ravel’s ballet, Daphnis et Chloé. Le Châtelet hosted other important premiers in pre-WWI Paris. Stravinsky’s Petrushka and Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi […]
In Finding Sylvie, the author Gertrude Stein is Sylvie Lewis’ neighbor in Paris. Gertrude’s salon on rue de Fleurus is filled with masterworks like Matisse’s Woman with a Hat (Femme au chapeau) (1905), Cézanne’s The Large Bathers (1900–1906), and Picasso’s portrait of Gertrude Stein (1905-06). Gertrude immortalizes these artists in her writings: in her poem, […]
Finding Sylvie transports you back to Paris in 1912. While doing research for the screenplay, I discovered these great podcasts for musical information and inspiration. I’ve shared a few with you here and hope you enjoy them, too. ________________ Sticky Notes: The Classical Notes Podcast Conductor Joshua Wellerstein provides thoughtful analysis of orchestral works and […]
The premiere of Maurice Ravel’s ballet, Daphnis et Chloe, takes place in Finding Sylvie. But this blog isn’t about Ravel’s sweeping masterpiece. Instead, this post is about Maurice Ravel’s fascination with cats. A family of Siamese cats shared his home outside of Paris. He also gave shelter to street cats who needed a warm place […]
In France of 1912, New Year’s Day was a more festive occasion than Christmas. Children woke up on January 1st to find their stockings filled with gifts. Young adults spent the afternoon visiting relatives and friends. In the evening, the family gathered together for a festive dinner to celebrate the first day of the New […]