A few years ago, I was walking home from my job as a Barista when I noticed a painting leaning against a closed drugstore. Upon closer inspection, I could see that it was not only signed by the artist, Andre Laurent ‘45, but on the back of the frame-less painting were two Paris street addresses. Of course I took the painting home with me.
Later I looked up one of the street addresses in the 12th arrondissement to find that the apartment in question is not only in an Arts-oriented neighborhood with dozens of galleries, but it’s also a mere three blocks away from the famous École des Beaux-Arts. I was very excited to see that this apartment actually exists, thanks to Street View and the Internet.
Over the last few years I kept asking myself: who was Andre Laurent? How old was he when he painted this? Is he alive? Did he ever find love? Did he have children? How did this painting end up in my hands, after so many years and a whole ocean ago?
Perhaps he had a career as an artist; Perhaps he moved from Paris, never to return or paint again; Perhaps he still lives, wondering what ever happened to his creation from his school art class. I might find nothing, but I feel that, even without closure, it’s worth the attempt to unravel this small mystery.
Besides, it’s Paris.
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Looking for Laurent will be intimate, entertaining and lovingly shot with an emphasis on art, history, people, culture and adventure.
Shooting in 24p HD Video with my Canon 7D, I’ll travel to Paris and stay in the same neighborhood as Laurent, trying to glean all I can from the shop proprietors in his neighborhood as well as contacting school officials at École des Beaux-Arts and perhaps even city records.
My goal is to go to Paris in late March, spend one week there, then begin editing as soon as I arrive back in the States. The film should be completed within a month after, with a Premiere set to play at at Los Angeles Theater.
Since I already have my own DSLR Video camera, all I need is funding to get to Paris and back, simple accommodations, a Translator, extra memory cards, a steady-cam device, a microphone and batteries for the camera.
Every donor will receive a password for viewing the film in full HD on Vimeo a week before the Premiere. We encourage donors to share the password with their friends for a wider audience. In addition:
Donors giving $10 and up will be invited to a free screening of the film at a Los Angeles theater.
Donors giving $20 and up also receive a Digital Download of the film.
Donors giving $50 and up will receive a DVD copy of the film.
Donors giving $100 and up will receive a Full-HD Digital copy of the film on a DVD.
Camera Accessories
Hand-held Steady Rig - $120.00
Two Batteries - $120.00
Rode VideoMic - $150.00
Four 8GB Memory Cards - $160.00)
TOTAL - $550.00
Travel
Round-Trip Airfare (1) - $900.00
Hotel - $700.00
Translator - $300.00
TOTAL - $1,900.00
FUNDS TOTAL: $2,450.00
Map of Andre's Apartment
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