Gaylord is the storyteller’s college, with the school boasting one of the top programs in the country. Many students travel great distances to be able to study under a variety of experienced professors, have access to state-of-the-art resources, and make connections that bode well for any aspiring artist’s career.
Although news, media, advertising, and public relations courses are the programs that come to mind when the school is mentioned, Gaylord hosts a plethora of talented writers, offering them varieties of expression. A recent graduate of Gaylord’s Professional Writing master’s degree program, with the help of student led Greenlights Creative Production Studio, was able to bring her script, Neon, to life as a feature film. Lauren Tuft not only wrote but produced the story, that centers on an artist’s life of colorful, dreaming possibilities and the harsh reality in which she truly lived. I had a chance to interview Tuft about the work she has done on the film, as well as insights into her creative process.
Q: Tell me about how Neon came to be, and how Gaylord came to be involved in the process.
A: Neon is the first script I have ever written; I wrote it back in 2021. But back then, I really didn’t know how to write or what I was doing so my first draft was pretty bad. Writing Neon was what made me realize I had a passion for storytelling and screenwriting. Then, last year, Tracy Williams, a Gaylord professor and filmmaker, approached me and said that Gaylord was thinking about producing a film. She told me that if I got my script to her early, we could submit it. And in the back of my head I was like, that’s never going to happen, but let me just go ahead and send it to her anyway. But she called me in January and let me know that my script had been selected!
Q: Did you see yourself becoming a producer on this film? What did that look like?
A: I definitely did not see it coming. When I met the producer for Neon, he had kind of been struggling to keep up with the workload and my work with the script reached a point where I was done. So, I asked if there was anything I could help him with. I started learning how to produce from him. Eventually, he asked if I would like to just hop on and be a co-producer. So that was how it happened.
Q: What was your favorite part of filming? Any moment on set that you really enjoyed?
A: Gosh, there were so many! I remember one day, it was like a thousand degrees outside, and we were filming at a cemetery. The other producers and I brought the actors and film crew some popsicles, water, and cooling towels. When we got back to set everyone came running towards us. It was a moment when we were like yes, we’re helping
Q: How crazy was it seeing your imagination come to life in a sense right in front of you on set?
A: Insane! There is really no words to describe what that feels like. Even when I was on set, I was like, oh my gosh, this is something that I made up in my head and here it is in real life. And getting to see the actors who all looked so similar to what I had pictured in my head, it was just the coolest experience. Production wise, it was a lot more work than I had imagined it would be, but getting to start off on such a large-scale project was just really good experience. I think the best way to learn how to do something like that is just to do it.
Q: Now this story is about an artist and her reality versus what is in her head. As an artist yourself, how much of your own life shaped this script and the characters in this story?
A: A lot, I think any artist, especially writers, when you are start out there is no money in it. There is a sort of lack of support when you tell people you are going to be a writer. They typically ask what my ‘real or actual’ plan will be. So, I understand how the reality of being an artist isn’t always rosy. When I first wrote the script, I was in a very different place in life, so it didn’t have as much emotional depth. After I had some more life experience under my belt I went back and put that into the story. There is definitely a lot of me in it, and hopefully a lot of people can relate to that.
Q: Now that you have had a script produced and been involved in the filming process, what would your advice be for aspiring screenwriters?
A: I think there are enough people in the world talking about how hard it is, but my advice would be to just enjoy the process of writing, enjoy sitting at your computer and making stuff up in your head. Don’t give up, it will probably take longer than you want it to or think it will, but it is so worth it.
Q: Now that the film is shot, what is next for Neon?
A: Right now, it is in the post-production process. We are still working on the effects and music, those are the two big thing. Then hopefully we will see a premier by next spring. After that it’s off to the film festivals and fingers crossed, we’ll get some kind of distribution deal. That’s where we are at, and I’m so excited at watch it.
Q: What are some takeaways you think audiences are going to get from watching this film?
A: The main point of the film is the importance of following your passions and the importance of art. I think sometimes as artists we have these big dreams and big ideas, and reality doesn’t always live up to that, which is a big theme we see throughout the film. This artist, she sees vivid, bright, beautiful things and her reality is really grey, visually that is a huge part of the film. I think the main takeaway is that it’s worth it to pursue your dreams, and don’t give up.
Creativity and passion can illuminate even the darkest realities, and this film speaks to the writer’s unparalleled commitment, dedication, and tireless work towards the fulfillment of her dream.
Source:
Lauren Tuft, MA
Phone number: (405) 905-8054
Tyler Leatherman Portfolio 
Leave a comment