Ordinary
The Inspiration, Context, and Vision
Ordinary, focusing on my skin, our largest organ, encompasses my transition, including surgeries, weight struggles, stretch marks, and hidden aspects like mental health disorders and Jewish identity. As Ordinary evolved, it became a powerful piece resonating with many. My intention was to address prejudice, highlight its absurdity, and highlight identity’s complexity. Calling it “Ordinary” conveyed that we are all ordinary people living extraordinary lives, and identity can hinder individuals through shameless discrimination and degradation.
Disclaimer: The top nudity is for educations purposes only. This was a part of my transitional journey.
Production and Exhibition History
With the Artist Development Grant I received from the Jerome Foundation in 2021 and the Creative Support for Individuals Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board in 2021, I used footage from Beautiful Boi to create a fundraising film for it. I shot all the footage with the exception of me walking down the beach.
I focused on pacing the film carefully, as its short length sometimes gave it a quick pace. I zoomed in/out and panned to make static shots more fluid. I also color-corrected the film adding richness and contrast to the black and white footage. I added background sound for a lush listening experience.
Simon M. Sperl, is my composer. After working together on the soundtrack for Ordinary and Do I Qualify For Love?, as we encountered challenges along the way, we successfully blended our new friendship, visuals, narration, and original music into a cohesive project. I told Simon that if he’s terrified, follow the path. Despite having to re-record the narration multiple times to achieve the best quality, the final product has been well-received at film festivals worldwide. My friend, local recording artist, MAYDA, lent her funky, Prince-esque song, Get Loud, for the ending credits.
Amid many festivals on its current tour, it garnered recognition such as the Best International Documentary Film at the Out and Loud Queer Film Festival in Pune, Maharashtra, India, as well as the Prix Coup de Coeur award in Marseille and Cannes, France, where I flew in to accept the award, and a Bronze REMI award from the Worldfest Houston International Film Festival. Additionally, it was selected for the San Francisco Transgender Film Festival, the oldest transgender festival globally.
Unique and Notable Aspects
Some notable aspects include Ordinary being invited by the festival in Marseille to become a permanent film in their VOD collection. Ordinary was also an official selection at FilmPride - Brighton & Hove Pride LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, where the director of the festival invited Ordinary to precede the feature-length film, Pretty Red Dress, for the University of Brighton’s Donor Research Department fundraiser for Valentine's Day in 2024. Additionally, it was hand-picked for Cherry Grove’s Trans Celebration Weekend at Fire Island, New York in September 2023. Another noteworthy point is that my mentor of nearly 32 years, esteemed film director and producer, Craig Rice, saw the film and praised it as another, “great work of art” in my filmography. Hearing his feedback was an emotional and moving experience that helped me realize I am on the right path to success.
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