SAAS Alum Produces NYU Thesis Film Back at Home

“Everybody has something they wish they did differently,” says Natalie Parker ’19, a Seattle Academy alumna who is now in her final year at New York University. “I reflect on when I was a teenager and how I thought I was so much older than I was. There is so much I was naive about.” 

These are the musings that inspired the idea for Natalie’s thesis, “Friend of the Year,” a short film revealing a teenage girl’s jealousies and insecurities, leading her to make a decision that will change the course of her friendship forever. 

“I find that people, especially teenagers, rarely ever do the right thing,” explains Natalie, “and I want to explore that side.” Natalie’s film, about 14 minutes in length and featuring a cast of 7 and crew of 12-16 people, hopes to shed new light on the idealized version of being a teenager that is already portrayed in so many movies and TV shows. “That version isn’t real,” she says. “What about the moment one friend leaves another in a horrible situation? Who is that friend in that situation, and how does she navigate her identity afterward.” 

“The film is about how, as a teenager, navigating who you are in this context can have bigger consequences than choosing your outfit. Being a teenager, especially in the times that we are in, can be so much more complex.”

Natalie didn’t explore her film interests until her senior year at Seattle Academy. She was more involved in photography until she agreed to assist SJ Chiro — a SAAS parent of fellow alumna Jesa Chiro ’19 and director of the major motion picture “East of the Mountains” — for her senior internship. 

“100% my experience as her production assistant was invaluable. Getting to hold a real feature script in my hand, reading the source material, sitting in on meetings with SJ and her cinematographer, and learning the language of filming set me up nicely. Going into film school, I felt I was ahead,” reflects Natalie. “SJ is an amazing artist and person. She was instrumental in helping me figure things out and hone in on my confidence.”

Now, in her final year, Natalie will be flying back to Seattle with her producer Alexandria Hellman and film crew for a wild four-day shoot at the end of April. With the help of a Tisch grant (from NYU) and a crowdfunding campaign, Natalie will be shooting on set at a fellow SAAS alumnus’ house, with food provided by her family and friends. 

Natalie and Alexandria have choreographed all of the arrangements and then some. They have made the necessary preparations to film on a sustainable set, stringent criteria outlined by the PEACHy green production guide, which designates a point system to keep waste down during filming. Should they succeed, their film will receive an EMA (Environmental Media Association) Green Seal designated for student productions recognized for having sustainable set practices. 

“Only 14 films at NYU have utilized this so far, so I feel like we can do better,” says Natalie. “Film sets are insanely wasteful. There is no reason why we can’t have sustainable productions.” 

Natalie and Alexandria will reach out to zero-waste makeup companies for cast makeup, avoid single-use plastic water bottles and snack materials, and work with their art department to create sets with reusable materials. 

“Friend of the Year” will be Natalie’s largest production to date. She credits Seattle Academy’s frequent use of public speaking within the curriculum as a skill that has put her ahead of her classmates. “As a filmmaker, trying to earn money for my films, or get people on board, has required a lot of public speaking. It is easier after all those years of doing it at high school.” 

Natalie has set up a fundraiser to support the production and upcoming filming of “Friend of the Year,” including this trailer video to gain support. 

You can visit her website for more information on her process, ways to get involved, and to follow her journey.

 

Friend of the Year, Pitch from Natalie Parker on Vimeo.