Sheets of Sleeping Bear sand on camera
From staff reports
Natalie Lomske, a native of Northville, Mich., and a frequent visitor to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, won this year’s Project Cinema MI screenwriting contest. Her script, titled Sheets of Sand, will be turned into a movie by local filmmaker Rich Brauer, who began filming in late September.
ProjectCinemaMI.org is nonprofit community film-making project that focuses on a hands-on experience that teaches the film-making process to all ages and skill levels. The goal is to promote cultural/art enrichment and professional development through an active learning environment run by professional filmmakers.
We caught up with Lomske to learn more about her project and how Sleeping Bear became her muse.
Glen Arbor Sun: What was the inspiration for your screenplay Sheets of Sand? How was it born?
Natalie Lomske:I grew up visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes on a regular basis and was inspired by the natural beauty of the majestic National Lakeshore. I have also spent the past few years working in music venues and have witnessed the cathartic effects of music. Both of these things inspired the plot and the characters of Sheets of Sand.
Sun: How and when did you learn that Project Cinema MI had selected your project? How did you react?
Lomske: I was on break at work and I happened to check my email. Inside my mailbox there was an email from Project Cinema MI and when I read it I was ecstatic! At first I didn’t even think it was real, to be honest.
Sun: Tell us about Charlotte, your protagonist. How did you conceive of the character? (And is this autobiographical—at least in part?)
Lomske: Charlotte is a 20-something musician with cerebral palsy working a mundane job in a small northern Michigan town. She doesn’t quite feel like she fits in, due to her musical interests, but also feels trapped due to her lack of confidence in her physical abilities. However, it is important to note, she knows she is talented and is confident in her musical abilities. She has a lot of turmoil built up inside and is constantly fighting with herself. The film is about her journey towards escaping that state of mind.
This is not autobiographical.
Sun: You’ve struggled with muscular dystrophy. What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve overcome? What’s the biggest hurdle you hope yet to overcome?
Lomske: I think that in the entertainment industry there is a serious lack of representation when it comes to individuals with disabilities. This is true on screen and behind the camera. It is important for all minorities to be represented equally and accurately on screen. I am currently attending Boston University studying producing and writing for television. With my degree, I hope to assist in this change.
Sun: How well have you gotten to know filmmaker Richard Brauer and NMC professor Diane Murray? What do they bring to this project?
Lomske: I have had a few meetings with Rich and we worked together during the pre-production process. I appreciate the opportunity for my script to be made into a film.
Sun: You’ve spent summers in Glen Arbor, right? How have you spent your time up here? What are among the best memories?
Lomske: My family has been coming up to Glen Arbor since before I was born. I love visiting the lakes, swimming, climbing the dunes, and hiking on the Heritage Trail.
Sun: What do you hope the viewer takes away from seeing Sheets of Sands on the big screen?
Lomske:I hope the audience comes away with a deeper understanding of themselves and the ability to see the true potential of everyone around them.
