“Little Mirror” by Zen Pace
A love letter to our inner child.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
"Little Mirror" is an introspective journey that explores the complexities of self-discovery and artistic expression. Inspired by both my experience with the therapeutic practice of inner child work and my friend, Cavier Coleman's journey
Cav and I are both from Michigan, me from Flint and him from Saginaw. But we met here in New York and became fast friends. We both have had our struggles with personal demons and are reclaiming our lives through art. For me, Cav is a renaissance artist, taking on many forms and always at play. It made me want to know more, so I started having conversations about his process. Here's a quote from him: "I will have to say my art connects definitely with my inner child. Art helps me to forget all the stress that society strains us with. When in reality we all just want to be free and explore our soul."
At its core, "Little Mirror" is a love letter to the inner child within each of us. For this reason, it was important to use narrative elements to create an expressionistic film rather than only a portrait of an artist.
Throughout the piece, we hear this conversation between Cav and his younger self. At times, he is tempted to bury the unresolved aspects of himself, but ultimately, through the lyrical prose, he finds redemption and self-acceptance. In this way, "Little Mirror" serves as a coming-of-age story. Young Cav represents both the innocence we hold and the fragmented pieces of an artist's psyche. All those stories and critiques we tell ourselves. By avoiding the conversation with our younger selves, we avoid becoming whole.
This was true for my journey as an artist. When I got sober six years ago, it was the first time I fully felt everything. I denied my artistic self for so long. But as I started these conversations with Little Zen, I was able to release so many of the stories given to me but weren't my own.
As viewers take in this piece, my hope is that they will be inspired to initiate their own conversations with their inner selves.
To bring the piece together, I collaborated with other artists to help create a musically driven and lyrical form that moves like water throughout the piece. The hope is that after viewing, the audience lingers in reflection, perhaps initiating their own conversations with their inner selves.”
-Zen Pace
Credits
A film by Zen Pace
Featuring// Cavier Coleman
Voice Over and Poem by Ewurakua Dawson
Editor// Sophia Lou
Composer// Adam Weiss
Concept// Zen Pace
Cast
Cavier Coleman as himself
Young Cav// Micah Pedley
Producer// Rebecca Mendoza & Max Johnson
Creative Producer// Moe LaRena
DP// Steve McCord
Music Production// Found Objects
Music Head of Creative Production// Elijah Torn
Music Executive Producer// Katt Matt
Color and Sound House// Forager
Color by Carlos Flores
Sound design/Mix by Bobb Barito
1st AC// Brian Ansel
2nd AC (Sunday)// James Reslier-Wells
Steadi Cam// Laura Eraud
1st Assistant Director// Emmi Shockley
G&E Gear// 3EV Production Studio
Additional G&E Gear// Lightbulb Rentals
Lighting Technician// Moe LaRena
Hazer// Martin Blanco
Grip// Tate Shockley
Insurance// Palette Group
Production Designer// Catharina Schürenberg
Art Assist// Diana Hu
Special Thanks
Kyle Glenn
Lorenzo Holder
Joseph Nelzey
Iz Medina
Athalie Vanloo
Herman Battle
Location// The Harrison Family Bonus Room
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