NewEnglandFilm.com

In 1998, filmmaker and musician Steven J. Lawrence decided to learn how to film a "talkie." With a theater background and two visually stunning, silent short films under his belt, Lawrence embarked on an ambitious project: "to explore as many conventions of movie storytelling as possible, while maintaining a budget of $100."

The result is "Ted & Sage," a stylized 28-minute drama shot in real-time that explores the murky emotions beneath the delicate surface of the title characters’ friendship. Tensions erupt between the mismatched pair when Sage (Sean Cole) visits the acutely depressed and paranoid Ted (Chris Burke), to show him a poem he has written to help Ted. Nervous and overly pleased with himself, Sage rouses Ted’s anger when he earnestly claims that Ted is "worse off than the rest of us." Their conflict leads to what Lawrence describes as "a subtle yet kaleidoscopic journey through various psychological realms," leading to an elusive and fragile reconciliation.

"Ted & Sage" represents a major advance for Lawrence as a filmmaker. After earning a degree in Theater Arts, he made his first film in 1995, the five-minute Super 8 short "Corpus Christi." He followed with a "more ambitious and expensive" 23-minute film shot in 16mm black-and-white. Although it tells a story, "earl and the guest" is definitely experimental. Lawrence finds it ironic that it won Best Narrative at the Boston Underground Film Festival in 1999. He says that both of his early films "dealt with madness, beauty and delight by fusing the elements of picturesque landscapes, contrasty black-and-white, lonely characters, polished compositions and intricate editing."

With "Ted & Sage," he takes his skills to the next level. He began the project hoping "to learn how to integrate all the elements of filmmaking," including working with actors and creating a character-driven narrative. "The objective was totally achieved," he says. Although the film began as a "practice piece," it evolved into something much more interesting as the production progressed. Lawrence developed the story as he shot, drawing the dialogue from the actors’ improvisations. The process could get intense at times, Lawrence said, "but it was mostly fun." With a minimal cast and crew that included various friends, easy locations, and a very low budget, Lawrence was able to keep a creatively relaxed atmosphere.

The chemistry between the actors was key to the film’s success. "I loved working with Chris Burke, who has been in all my movies and the plays I directed," Lawrence said. He also enjoyed directing Sean Cole in his first film. "He was so natural. He has such a genuine presence on screen."

"Ted & Sage" was shot on low-grade 8mm video in the Boston neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain and Dorchester, using a combination of natural and theatrical lighting. Lawrence says that he was able to stick with his $100 budget. "I might have blown $30 on beers, but I would have done that anyway," he laughs.

Editing the film was the greatest learning process for Lawrence. He spent most of 2001 reworking the piece in Final Cut Pro on his Mac, adding new scenes more than two years after the initial shoot and recording the soundtrack of his original music directly into the editing program.

"Ted & Sage" will have its premiere screening as part of the underground film revolution (UFR)’s "East Coast Versus West Coast" program on Monday August 5 at the Milky Way Lounge & Lanes in Jamaica Plain. UFR’s monthly screenings provide a non-competitive venue for film/video artists to exhibit and share their work.

"Although UFR now screens work from artists living all over the country, its primary mission remains to both exhibit and support local films/video artists from the Boston area. I have known Steven for a while from JP — he told me a few months ago that he was completing ‘Ted and Sage’ and was looking for a venue to screen it. Since it was shot primarily in and around Jamaica Plain, it seemed like a good fit for the UFR/Milky Way screenings," said UFR founder Evonne Hyla Wetzner.

"The screening will be a test," Lawrence says. After seeing how the film is received, he will decide whether to enter it into other local festivals or edit it further.

He would like to eventually shoot a feature, but he will mostly likely first do "one or two unambitious short films." Lawrence enjoys the freedom of keeping his film budget low. "I just take my camera out and shoot what I want to," he says.

A regular performer in Boston-area clubs like the Middle East and T.T. the Bears Place for the past four years, Lawrence is currently working on his first album of original songs, "Car Models Blues."