Petra's Poem
2012
4 min
Coming soon
In this short film, Toronto artist Petra Tolley, who has Down syndrome, performs a soliloquy that encapsulates her distinctive take on the social self. Drawing from her emotional experiences, she illustrates what it feels like to be “in the middle.” Employing rotoscopy, hand-drawn animation techniques and subtle stereoscopic 3D, the film captures Petra as she engages the camera with unflinching directness and dignity.
Details
In this short film, Toronto artist Petra Tolley, who has Down syndrome, performs a soliloquy that encapsulates her distinctive take on the social self. Drawing from her emotional experiences, she illustrates what it feels like to be “in the middle.” Employing rotoscopy, hand-drawn animation techniques and subtle stereoscopic 3D, the film captures Petra as she engages the camera with unflinching directness and dignity.
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poem writingPetra Tolley
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performerPetra TolleyMatthew BrotherwoodDaninah CumminsKenneth FreemanAmy GlassNicholas HerdAldene HussettKatherine NewtonAngela RadfordSean RowleyKaty SparlingKatie TannerPaul Wong
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directorShira Avni
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writerShira Avni
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original drawingsPetra Tolley
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animationShira AvniPaul Tom
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additional animationDominique DoktorHan Han Li
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choreographyShira AvniPetra Tolley
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cinematographyCarrie Haber
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editingCarrie Haber
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lightingRobert DiVito
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studioRobert DiVito
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camera assistantDan ThornhillPaul Tom
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sound designLuigi Allemano
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original musicLuigi Allemano
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musicianLina AllemanoLuigi AllemanoTimothy Bruce HallidayMaude LussierMadeleine MessierChristian PrévostJulie Triquet
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foleyKarla Baumgardner
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post-productionÉloi ChampagneRandall FinnertyDenis GathelierSusan Gourley
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music recordingGeoffrey MitchellMathieu Leroux
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foley recordingGeoffrey MitchellMathieu Leroux
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re-recordingShelley Craig
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stereoscopic 3DBenoît ChagnonMunro FergusonKyler KellyPaul KroitorMaral MohammadianIsabelle Painchaud
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technical coordinationSteve HalléJulie Laperrière
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administrationRosalina Di SarioGisèle GuilbaultElaine Largie
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executive producerRoddy McManusDavid Verrall
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producerShira AvniMichael Fukushima
Education
Ages 10 to 14
Diversity - Diversity in Communities
English Language Arts - Poetry
Health/Personal Development - Bullying & Discrimination
Before the film, have students brainstorm or free write about experiences with individuals affected by mental disabilities. After the film, ask the class about the issues it addresses and feelings it expresses, and whether it influenced their views about their previous experiences. Engage students in activities to raise awareness of social challenges faced by disabled people. Identify words and phrases in the poem that crystallize the writer’s experience. Have students write about a painful or meaningful experience using similar techniques.
