SYNOPSIS
As passengers on a moving bus, the dancers embark on a surrealist journey in which they are connected through a yearning to dance. The dancers explore kinaesthetic empathy as both an individual experience as well as one of collectivity. This duality is explored in the film through choreography in two distinct locations, ‘heaven’ and ‘the other place’. These two locations do not attempt to depict reality. Instead they represent the dancer’s internal worlds.
CONCEPT AND VISION
Falling Together explores the human desire to dance amongst a collective. The film aims to include the viewer by using the camera to dance between the cast. The viewer travels with the dancers between a bus journey, heaven and the other place, on a choreographic enquiry which explores solitude, friendship and transcendence through dance as cathartic release.
‘Heaven’ is a luminous explosion of colour and energy. This location brings forth the energetic pinnacle of the film. The choreography in heaven explores connection and synchronicity.
‘The other place’ represents the internal and reflective response elicited in the experience of kinaesthetic empathy. Vastness and introspection are explored choreographically in this location.
WHY WE REQUIRE YOUR SUPPORT
As a team of students, we need your help to fund the departments of cinematography, location, styling and transport. Your generous donations will facilitate the hire of high-quality laser equipment and the corresponding camera equipment. The two locations listed above are fundamental to the vision of this film, and the cover of incurring costs will allow us to realise our team’s creative potential. Styling will also require financial support, although our stylist maintains a strong environmental incentive to purchase clothing second hand. Finally, our production will incur travel expenses as a result of the transport of crew and kit. Financing the logistical aspects of our film is necessary to the creation of this project. We thank you in advance for any contribution.
MEET OUR CREW
Emilie Bouet Conran (She/Her) – Director, Cast and Co-Choreographer
Emilie is an adaptable and attentive dancer who received professional ballet training between 2013-2020 from the London Vocational Ballet School and Elmhurst Ballet Upper School. Since pursuing her talent in contemporary dance, she has cultivated her multidisciplinary abilities throughout her dance studies at Arts University Bournemouth. One of nine collaborations with film production include choreographing and starring in a promotional dance video for sustainable clothing brand Parade, which won the Student Eizo Award (2023). Additionally, Emilie danced in ‘You are also Us’, a multi-award-winning dance film by Cathy Waller Company. Driven by an affinity for filmmaking, Emilie has directed three short films since 2023. In her second year, she co-directed and starred in a dance film entitled ‘Synergy’. This film is completing its film festival run at various international festivals. One of seven awards for ‘Synergy’ include Best Dance Film at London Women’s Film Festival.
Ishan Mahabir-Stokes (He/Him) – Cast and Co-Choreographer
Ishan Mahabir-Stokes trained at the London Vocational Ballet School before completing his studies at The Royal Ballet School. Ishan danced professionally for three years with Scottish ballet in Glasgow, which saw him perform a variety of soloist and company roles reflecting a broad range of repertoire. As well as cultivating a career in dance, Ishan is an actor, writer, musician and spoken word artist whose interdisciplinary capabilities are demonstrated in his diverse portfolio. ‘How much squid is too much squid’ is a dance film performed to spoken word, written, choreographed and devised by Ishan, which has been screened at the San Francisco Dance Film Festival and won an award at the Kinetoscope Dance Film Festival in Montana, US. Additionally, Ishan is working closely with his sister Rhani on a musical about Suffragette Indian Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, whist simultaneously developing their indie band The Echo Pit. Ishan is currently freelancing in London and the Southwest on several multi-media projects.
Lily Larsimont (They/Them) – Co-Producer
Lily is a freelance 3D artist and filmmaker based in Bournemouth, dedicated to crafting inderdisciplinary, community-driven stories. They have worked with clients such as Lego, Nike, London Fashion Week and ESA across VFX, animation and digital media projects. Their work explores the intersection of technology, identity, and culture- focusing on how storytelling can make people feel less alone in an increasingly digital world. With experience managing productions from concept to final delivery, Lily embraces making the most of every resource, ensuring this project will not only meet it’s artistic ambitions but also reaches and resonates with the audiences who need it most.
Daniel Money-Kyrle (He/Him) – Co-Producer
Daniel Money-Kyrle is a third-year Belgian student at Arts University Bournemouth. He is a passionate and experimental filmmaker who is influenced by grief and fine art. He has directed a number of shorts including “Un Amour d'Automne”, “Black Birds” and “In a Fishbowl” which explores themes of heartbreak and romanticism. Dan adopts a visual language emphasising simplicity to create emotionally compelling art. As a Co-Producer, Dan is looking forward to Falling Together with other creative minds.
Jess Mills (She/They) – 1st AD
Jess Mills is a second-year producing student at Arts University Bournemouth. With a background in writing and directing, they are a creative co-producer with the ability to problem-solve whilst keeping Emilie’s vision at the forefront. Having worked with Emilie, Arnav and Shrijit on Synergy, she understands how dance and the body can be used to tell stories. Jess has worked on a range of short films, music videos and commercial productions in assistant producing positions, and is looking forward to shouldering some more responsibility in bringing this ambitious film to life.
Arnav Sharma (He/Him) – Director of Photography
In his final year of film school, specializing in cinematography, Arnav is driven by a quiet passion for the art of storytelling through light and shadow. He believes in the power of subtlety and simplicity to convey deep emotion, harnessing the delicate balance between precision and creative intuition. Arnav continues to learn from every frame he captures, striving to create visuals that seamlessly blend technical mastery with heartfelt storytelling.
Shrijit Pillai (He/Him) – Editor
Currently in his third year of Film Production, Shrijit is a passionate and detail-oriented filmmaker specializing in editing. With a background in dance, he has always been intrigued by the way movement, sound, and visuals blend seamlessly to create emotion and narrative. This fascination has shaped his approach to filmmaking, where rhythm and atmosphere play a vital role in storytelling. He is particularly drawn to projects that explore the synergy between music and film, using sound and visuals to craft immersive, expressive experiences.
Tilly Evans (She/Her) – Costume Designer
Costume designer and Stylist Currently in her third year of Fashion Communication, Tilly is a passionate and attentive stylist with a love for visual storytelling. A deep appreciation for fashion’s enhancement of narratives has developed her interest in styling shoots in which clothing is fundamental to shaping a project’s conceptual identity and atmosphere. An avid thrifting enthusiast, Tilly incorporates vintage and pre-loved pieces to add depth and originality to her styling. She advocates for the power of second-hand fashion in creating unique, character-driven looks, promoting sustainability and ensuring a distinctive aesthetic.
Ellen Moore (She/Her) – Hair and Makeup Artist
Ellen Moore is a fully qualified multidisciplinary makeup artist based between Dorset and Northumberland. With a background in Fine Art, she has accumulated a diverse and expanding skill set in painting, sculpting and creative expression, which is reflected through her makeup with a deep appreciation for colour and detail. Ellen aspires to progress into the Film industry, creating work that encourages audiences to reflect on self and others.
Stay tuned for an exciting list of fundraiser Events and Rewards!
Thank you so much for donating what you can.
Love, Falling Together xx
PLEASE NOTE: tips added to your donation are not given to our project.