About Gretel Truong

Film has the ability to transform perception and combine many different art forms. With this short film, I hoped to combine digital video, music and storytelling to create a piece that focuses on characters that we don’t see in everyday media: a white couple with an adopted African-American child, an Asian boy who sings with soul and high school students who know no better than to look beyond ethnic divisions.

This story comes from my own experiences and frustrations in witnessing a neglect of diversity in popular media. In my last year at the University, I also wish to use and grow the community of student filmmakers who have become companions and creative partners as they strive to create work that is not fully supported by a department at U.Va.

With the help of the U.Va. FilmMakers Society, more than 10 University Students and one alum traveled to Arlington for a five-day shoot that took place over spring break. Covering about seven locations, including two high schools, a church, several houses and a restaurant, the crew of mostly first-timers took on the task of capturing the story of The Write Note. We spent several weeks in preparation, including recording sessions, rehearsals and workshops.

Part of the learning process of this film was not just to make a quality film but to teach others both technical and creative aspects of the filmmaking process. The end result, I hope, was a film that looks at the lives of two characters who overcome struggles with the common bond of music.

It was definitely a great learning experience on my part to not only play the role of director but teacher, producer and editor. To see a narrative story through all of its phases and make new discoveries about film, and even myself, was truly the best part of my thesis.