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