W. TRENT WELSTEAD

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.