CHLOE SHELTON, WRITER AND DIRECTOR of Cotton Clouds
The Grandin Theatre Film Lab prepares young film students for future education, careers, and interests in the film, entertainment, and communications industries.
I was honored and delighted to have the opportunity to launch my professional career under the direction of The Grandin Theatre Film Lab. My period screenplay that I wrote at 17 was chosen to be produced using industry professionals in key production roles. I was honored to serve as Director. The goal of the project was to take the Film Lab’s experiential learning model a step further by producing a student generated screenplay with established film industry professionals. The production took place over 7 days and was a full blown professional production. The students gained experience in various departments including Art Department, Production, Grip and Electric, Camera, and Sound.
We shot this film at amazing historical locations around Virginia, adding to the beautiful aesthetic of the finished film.
This story is the culmination of years of research about Child Labor, the photos of world-renowned photographer, Lewis Hine, and a love of bringing the stories of the past to life for a modern audience. It was truly a passion project for me and a dream come true to see it to fruition.
Written and directed by Chloe Shelton
Director of Photography Dave Perry
First Assistant Camera Zane Farmer
Produced by Kathryn J. Hatam
Executive Producers Ian Fortier and Tyler Lyon
Grip and Electric Ben Mullen
Art Director Jenna Giannini
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2020 Northern Virginia International Film & Music Festival – Official Selection; Nominee – Best Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Period Film, Best Editing, Best Family Film, Best Art & Design
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2020 Southern States Indie Fan Film Fest – Official Selection; Nominee – Best Southern States Film
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2020 Richmond International Film Festival – Honorable Mention
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2019 PUSH! Film Festival – Official Selection
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2019 Peak City International Film Festival – Best Docudrama
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2019 Alexandria Film Festival – Official Selection
I was personally awarded the Heritage Education Award 2018 as well as the 2019 Young Preservationist of the Year Award for my work on Cotton Clouds.
