Albert Einstein said “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Springtide is a magic carpet ride: a classic romantic comedy with a happy ending and it is full of little miracles. At its center it is a love story about life’s journey, spirit, childhood, homecoming, remembrance, legacy, romantic love, and family. My goal is to create something of substance, beauty and emotional resonance. A film that is uplifting and life affirming while still being entertaining – so go ahead and eat the popcorn.
The story of Jack and Natalie is fateful or preternaturally determined. Their respective personal journeys coincide, and then run parallel in separate locations until they are reunited. It’s no accident that Jack and Natalie’s encounter through whales moves them from ego to spirit, to love and to each other, even when there’s fun along the way.
“The whale spirit animal is the earth’s record keeper for all time. As a totem, the whale teaches about listening to your inner voice, understanding the impact your emotions have on your everyday life, and following your own truth. When the whale enters your life, it may be time to closely examine where you are, the actions and emotions that have brought you to this point, and what you can do to alleviate existing drama and unrest and find peace. Those who have the whale as their animal totem are in touch with true reality. They are nurturers and go-getters who understand there is more to this life than meets the eye.” Elena Harris (Spirit Animal).
A life in in Manhattan, surrounded by skyscrapers and the unrelenting throb of the urban environment while exciting and stimulating, can, at times feel claustrophobic. The feeling of exhalation when surrounded by the breadth and depth of ocean: water and waves undulating in a caress of swells and expansion are a total contrast. The mountains and road trip illustrate the peaks and valleys of life. A sweeping prairie landscape with endless fields of wheat that sway as winds pass through them have their own particular peaceful and earthy beauty. Imagine the confinement of the car and this vista – metaphorically, someone who is shut down and opens up. The intention is to have the viewer feel like a passenger in Natalie and Jack’s adventure. While Jack and Natalie take turns driving, the visuals will have a feeling of being a home movie or a vacation video, as if they are recording themselves in some instances. It will have a hand held documentary vibe with a sense of liveliness and fun. Inside the strip club, and bars with performers,dart games and billiards and during the Ukrainian wedding sequences, the action will be highly choreographed. Still, during these scenes, the audience will feel like they’re immersed in the action or crashing the event – especially during the dancing. They’ll alternate between riding a roller coaster and being a fly on the wall, witnessing as the pair reclaim their lives and identities through physical and symbolic twists and turns, and ups and downs.
Music, so vitally important in storytelling and in how we record our own emotions, mark events and store our memories, will function as another character supporting the plot. Springtide will have an original score, and a carefully curated soundtrack of songs from different genres and eras woven together seamlessly to highlight love’s universality and timelessness.