I was in charge of the art direction, set design and fabrication for the live action sequences of this film for young audiences.
Adapted from the beloved children’s books by Mo Willems, and realized through mind-bending puppetry, DIY cinema, music, and an original score by critically-acclaimed multimedia artists Manual Cinema, Leonardo & Sam tells the story of a monster who longs to be scary and the big decisions about identity and empathy that we all must make.
Leonardo & Sam received its world premier streaming via the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in March, 2021.
CREDITS
Created by Manual Cinema
Inspired by the Books Leonardo, The Terrible Monster & Sam, The Most Scaredy-Cat Kid in the Whole World by Mo Willems
Directed by Sarah Fornace
Adaptation by Sarah Fornace and Drew Dir with Ben Kauffman
Storyboards Drew Dir
Original Score & Sound Design Ben Kauffman and Kyle Vegter
Dramaturgy by Megan Alrutz
CAST
Lily Emerson (Emily, Narrator, Character Voices, Vocals)
Lindsey Noel Whiting (Giacometti)
Samuel Taylor (Fiore, Assistant Giacometti Puppeteer)
PUPPETEERS
Lizi Breit
Drew Dir
Sarah Fornace
Julia Miller
MUSIC
Ben Kauffman (Keys, Guitar)
Kyle Vegter (Keys)
DESIGN
Paper Puppet Design by Drew Dir
Giacometti Puppet Design by Lizi Breit
Set Design & Fiore Puppet by Julia Miller
Lighting Design by Andrew J. Morgan
Costume Design by Maddy Lowe
Props Design by Lizi Breit, Julia Miller
POST PRODUCTION
Sound Recording by Ben Kauffman, Charlie Malave, Kyle Vegter
Video Editing by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace