Essence
A confused, oppressed individual encounters a unique young man, discovering the importance of perseverance along the way.
As writer, producer, and editor, my principal crew consisted of fellow friends and classmates, Alex Salvato as director, and Caitlyn Murray as director of photography. We created Essence for our Fiction Cinema Production class at Virginia Tech; amidst several other projects and commitments between our collective schedules, it was enjoyable work for everyone involved. The film was shot in five sporadic evenings throughout roughly a ten day window. In regards to location, we shot primarily in or around various apartment complexes just off-campus. The film was practically self-funded on a budget of $50, utilizing most of my own personal equipment and props.
The story of Essence was crafted out of my attempts to explore two specific questions. What determines the essence of a human being? Do labels accurately reflect the true reality, or essence of anything? I was specifically interested in exploring these questions through the perspective of an LGBT protagonist character. As our cast and crew consisted of both LGBT and non-LGBT identifying individuals, the production was a diverse and delightful experience all around. In any case, my primary hope is that all viewers simply enjoy the finished product.

Crew
Director
Alex Salvato
Writer
W. Trent Welstead
Producer
W. Trent Welstead
Director of Photography
Caitlyn Murray
Music
Nicholas Potthoff
Editors
W. Trent Welstead
Mark Meardon
Boom Operator
W. Trent Welstead
Electrician
Blake Bauserman
Poster Designer
Rebekah Seiler
Cast
Morgan
Kevin Foster
Danny
Logan Beveridge
Lisa
Megan Johnson
Selected Screenings & Awards
For the complete list, see my CV.
Screenings
Out & Loud - Pune International Queer Film Festival
RVA Filmmakers Showcase
The Chi-Town Multicultural Film Festival
Awards
Direct Short Online Film Festival
Best LGBT Film | Winner
Direct Monthly Online Film Festival
Best Student Film | Winner
Macoproject Online Shorts Festival
Best Drama | Winner
Stills








Production Photos







