Megan MacDonald
Director . Writer . Actor
Founder of Dawning Film Productions
Gently as We Go
Part one of the GENTLY Trilogy
Gently as We Go is the story of two young people facing the uncertainties of a young romance. After a day spent hiking, Sam Hardy and Natalie Mara return late to Natalie’s home for the first time in their relationship. Recognizing the possibility of intimacy, Sam and Natalie talk about their day spent in a remote landscape and hint at what might come next. While one of them is reaching, the other is letting go. Between them is the grace of a world that has already touched them.
Gently as We Go is the premier production between director Megan MacDonald and writer Damon Falke. It is also the initial installment of a trilogy of short films that follow moments in the life of Sam Hardy, as he tries to reclaim those places and people whom he has lost.
Directed by
Megan MacDonald
Story & Screenplay by
Damon Falke
About
Gently as We Go, directed by Megan MacDonald and written by Damon Falke is the first of a trilogy directed by MacDonald, a 2021 award winner at the Montreal Independent Film Festival. Though Falke and MacDonald knew of each other’s work a decade ago when she performed in Square Top Theatre’s production of Now at the Uncertain Hour, written by Falke and directed by Charlie Pepiton, they began their correspondence and collaboration in 2020. Falke is an American writer now living in Northern Norway. The film has been adapted for screen from Falke's stage play of the same title.
For Immediate Release: Local Filmmaker Awarded for $5,000 for North Country Project
Dawning Film Productions will premiere its most recent production, Gently as We Go on May 4th and 5th at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre at the Performing Arts Center on SUNY Potsdam’s campus. Dawning Film Productions is a Richville-based studio that has teamed up with Square Top Theatre to produce an event that features the work in both film and stage productions.
The evening will begin with a screening of the film, Gently as We Go, directed by Megan MacDonald and written by Damon Falke of Norway. Then, there will be a live performance of the Gently as We Go stage play, also written by Falke and directed by Charles M Pepiton of Square Top Theatre in Washington State.
As an interesting dynamic, both the stage and screen performances for this event feature the same performers, Cole Siebels of Gouverneur and Grace Plumley of Madrid.
Gently as We Go: A Premiere Screening
and Stage Production
at the LoKo Arts Festival at SUNY Potsdam
May 4th and 5th at 7:30 p.m.
Black Box Theatre at the Performing Arts Center on SUNY Potsdam campus
![IMG_20220809_193457__01__01[11490].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dbcc76_edc52eec05d642a6bcb63465abb46839~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_306,h_306,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_20220809_193457__01__01%5B11490%5D.jpg)
By framing the Gently as We Go screen and stage plays in these contexts, we allow ourselves to experience the nuance of performance; how it shifts, how it changes, and how it affects the viewer. To end the evening, the creative team will hold a talk-back with the audience after the stage performance to explore these themes, their international partnership, and creative process. MacDonald, Pepiton, and Falke began their collaboration in 2014 with Square Top Theatre’s production of Falke’s play Now at the Uncertain Hour, with MacDonald playing the role of “The Collector”. Pepiton directed the performance which premiered at the Edwards Opera House and was featured on NCPR.
Produced in Northern New York, Gently as We Go brings viewers on the journey of two young people facing the uncertainties of young romance. The film is the first of a trilogy directed by MacDonald and written by Falke. The film trilogy highlights the natural beauty of Northern New York and the immense talent of the artists that live locally.
This film is supported by a North Country Arts Recovery Fund grant provided through the National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan Subgranting for Local Arts Agencies program and is administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. The LoKo Arts Festival is made possible by the generosity and artistic vision of Kathryn (Kofoed) '54 and Donald Lougheed (Hon.'54). For more information about the Gently as We Go: Film Screening and Live Performance event at the LoKo Arts Festival, the short film and involved artists, you may follow us on Facebook or visit www.meganmacdonald.net/gentlyaswego, www.squaretoptheatre.org, www.cpepiton.com, or www.damonfalke.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dawning Film Productions has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the North Country Arts Recovery Fund for the short film project, Gently as We Go, directed by Megan MacDonald and written by Damon Falke. The film is the first of a trilogy directed by MacDonald, a 2021 award winner at the Montreal Independent Film Festival. This talented young filmmaker is taking on an international collaboration with Falke, an American writer now living in Northern Norway. The film has been adapted for screen from Falke's stage play of the same title.
North Country Arts Recovery Fund grants support eligible organizations and jobs in the arts sector that have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. This grant funding is provided through the National Endowment for the Arts American Rescue Plan (NEA ARP) Subgranting for Local Arts Agencies program and is administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, SLC Arts.
Being produced in Northern New York, "Gently as We Go" brings viewers on the journey of two young people facing the uncertainties of young romance. This film will highlight the natural beauty of Northern New York and the immense talent of the artists that live here.
“Since the film industry is sparse north of Syracuse, it is vital to offer support, resources, and opportunities to rural filmmakers whenever possible,” stated Megan MacDonald, Director and Owner of Dawning Film Productions. “This grant will allow my production company to pay film artists to make pieces that bolster their portfolios in the creation of a meaningful, quality short film.”
Dawning Film Productions is supported in part by American Rescue Plan funding, through SLC Arts, which receives support for the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The company seeks to create and support a network of local filmmakers while increasing visibility of underrepresented artists.
Though Falke and MacDonald knew of each other’s work a decade ago when she performed in Square Top Theatre’s production of “Now at the Uncertain Hour,” written by Falke and directed by Charlie Pepiton, they began their correspondence and collaboration in 2020. Damon has published extensively. His work with Square Top Theatre has been selected for numerous grants, including a grant from the U.S.-Norwegian Embassy (2020), as well as screenings and awards at various film festivals, including Northwest Film Forum, West Sound Film Festival, AVIFF Cannes, The Cinema On The Bayou, and National Nordic Museum. Additionally, Mr. Falke’s films have been screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
Morgan Elliott has signed on to “Gently as We Go” as the Director of Photography (DoP). Elliott is well known as the Director of "Potty Town" (2022), the feature documentary film. His work as a cinematographer and DoP has been honored with a handful of award-winning short films over the past decade.
Gently as We Go is in production now and a public screening of the film is planned for Thursday, May 4th and Friday, May 5th at 7:30 pm in the Black Box Theatre at the SUNY Potsdam Performing Arts Center as part of the LoKo Arts Festival. Admission is free.
Follow us on Facebook at Gently Trilogy or visit: http://www.meganmacdonald.net/gentlyaswego.
Media Contact: Megan MacDonald: 315-679-7456