W. Trent Welstead | Film

The Rehearsal

On Tour

This film is not public yet. While complete, it is still making its rounds at festivals. In the meantime, feel free to learn about the film and see some stills from production. Or, you can always contact me to learn more about the film or its expected release date.

A young actor prepares for an upcoming role, tormented by the persistent taunts of his harshest critic.

Mark Meardon and I created The Rehearsal for our Avant-Garde Cinema class at Virginia Tech, having previously worked together on a handful of earlier films, including Clock-Boy (2017). Amidst several other projects and commitments between our collective schedules, it was enjoyable work for everyone involved. The film was practically self-funded on a budget of roughly $300, utilizing most of my own personal equipment and props. In regards to location, The Rehearsal was filmed in two different black-box theater spaces on campus, courtesy of the Moss Arts Center, and the School of Performing Arts.

The story was particularly influenced by surrealism, while the cinematography drew upon elements of expressionism; these two art movements were studied extensively throughout the semester as we completed all stages of production. I also sought to instill horror elements into the film, inspired by what I learned throughout my enrollment in a ‘Horror Genre’ course the previous year. Finally, I was intrigued by the philosophy behind the Theatre of Cruelty, in that the film should serve as somewhat of an assault on the audience, in order to reflect The Actor’s true subconscious.