"Sweet Miracle" (2004)

"Sweet Miracle" is a short film / fan-made music video directed by Clarke M. Smith and written by Kimberly Felipe Villanueva (who also stars). It was produced by Tom Shay, and was completed in October of 2004 via a single Canon GL-1, shot on miniDV. It was Smith’s fifth Connecticut film and first since the feature “The Ethereal Plane”. It was based on the song “Sweet Miracle” by Rush, from their album “Vapor Trails” (2002).

Realizing the Script
After “The Ethereal Plane” was completed in 2001 (released in 2004), Smith became the father of a baby girl named Kiarra in 2003. Focusing on their child, he and his wife Leilani took a 3 year break from filmmaking. Tom Shay’s wife Kimberly Villanueva had come to the 2001 “The Ethereal Plane” premier party in Norwalk, CT and was impressed with the film. She later wrote a music video, which was to also act as a portfolio piece for her. She then asked Clarke M. Smith if he wanted to direct it.

At first, Smith was very lukewarm about taking on a new project, with a one year old child now in the picture. In addition, he had only once shot a script that he didn’t originate or have any writing input on. This would now be a first, since "Arizona Smith and the Lost Ore House" (1989) - and on that, he had written the 3rd act.

After considering the script for a while, he agreed that it would be a good project to take on, and that he could bring a visual style to it that he had envisioned. The script was a story influenced by the book “Ghost Writer” by Neil Peart (late drummer from Rush), and would use the song “Sweet  Miracle” as the soundtrack.

Shooting Details
Kim’s acting class friend Luis de Amechazurra was cast as the tarot card reader, and Rich Goldstein was cast as “the man”. Both Tom Shay and Leilani Smith would appear as background players - as would Clarke and Leilani’s 1 year old daughter.

Shooting began in October 2004 at Playland, in Rye, NY. The  hurried afternoon included several extras shown walking across a boardwalk the opposite way of Kimberly, and bumping into her. Assistant Director Deb Failla was a tremendous help controlling the group. Once complete, the extras were let go, and the card scene at the table was shot. For the 2nd and last shoot, since no fires were allowed on any beaches in Connecticut or New York, the team traveled to New Jersey, where it was allowed. Tom and Kim rented a small townhouse for the cast and crew. Arriving Friday night, the team shot all day Saturday. It became a rush (pun intended) to beat the changing weather, as evidenced by the ominous sky near the end - which was a nice bit of unplanned production value for the look and mood.

For the scenes involving cards hovering and moving around, practical effects were attempted on location. But wind made the cards move humorously erratic, so the effect was later done in post with visual effects. The same went for the shot where a card blows by Kim’s face. Crew members flicked a card at her several times, but in the end, it looked much better as a digital effect.

The exhausted crew, having just beat the weather and sundown (and a bit of rain), returned to the townhouse and watched the dailies. Then all went home to New York and Connecticut the next morning.

Film Analysis
The story is essentially about a lonely woman searching for her soulmate. The use of tarot cards was new to Smith, but he learned about what they mean as shooting and editing went on.

The needed effects shots were very new to Smith, who today says he could do a lot better with the card effects with the use of After Effects. It was trial and error, and a lot of faith to make the shots work as scripted by Kimberly.

Aftermath
Clarke regards the project as having some of his best cinematography. With no dialogue at all, he could concentrate on telling a visual story. By this time, he was well acquainted with his Canon GL. However, the limitations (and functionality) with shooting in 16x9 widescreen on this camera was still not fully understood by Smith, and he shot once again in 4:3, letterboxing in post.

The success of the project, and fine teamwork by the crew, inspired Smith to pull out a script he had written during The Ethereal Plane called “Shutting Down” (2008), and reunite with Kimberly as the lead, as well as Tom Shay, Luis de Amechazurra and Deb Faila. But it would be 4 years before it was realized. Smith also strongly considered Rich Goldstein for the lead in "Crazy Joe", but the film wouldn’t be made until 2012 in California.

Video and Web Links
"Sweet Miracle" (2004 (Full Movie)

“A Miracle in the Making” (2004)

2004 Visual Audio Commentary (to come)