World of Art

Synopsis

Arthur believes he has become just another unremarkable artist in the world, until he is mysteriously imprisoned without reason. There he discovers that he is not just an uninspired artist, but art itself. Plagued by a fear that follows him everywhere, Art must conquer what is holding him back before the world of art is lost forever.

“Brilliantly walks the viewer through the history of art… Funny and fulfilling, all in one satisfying short!”

– Chris Gore, Founder, Film Threat Magazine

“‘World of Art” is an imaginative short with grand scope and vision. From beginning to end, WoA is an inventive tale about artistry, artists, and humankind’s resistance and misunderstanding of it. Mike Allore superbly manages to balance his whimsical short with inventive aesthetic and offbeat performances that service the theme of the power of artistry.”

– Robert Butler, DeFacto Film Reviews

World of Art Trailer

World of Art - Full Film

The Story Behind the Film

Why I Made World of Art

I had a number of script ideas before I started this film. I kept telling myself “World of Art” was too risky to make. It had too high of a chance of not making it to completion due to any number of reasons after investing a lot of time into it. Not just my time, but the time of many other people that would be required for the endeavor. I would often hear of talented actors and crew members getting disillusioned by failed projects. I had no interest in becoming one of those stories.

I knew “World of Art” was going to be a production and coordination nightmare. The number of actors needed. The multiple locations with specific visual requirements. Scheduling cast, crew and locations. The inevitable postponing of outdoor shoots due to the unpredictable Michigan weather. The costumes that would need to be custom made. The visual effects that I had no idea how to do yet. Getting an original musical score with real instruments. How to self finance it because I didn’t feel right asking others to give me money to create this film that might implode. There was a greater chance of the film failing to see completion than it had being seen on screen.

That’s why I decided to make it. I was the only one telling me I couldn’t make this film. Fear is closely tied to art. You need to conquer fear to create art, or at least make art in the face of it. I made “World of Art” in the face of failure. It took almost two years, and at times it seemed like the universe was determined to make me quit, but there were many other times that seemed magical. It took the efforts of all cast and crew who contributed to this film, and together we had to go through the challenges to get to the magic.

Allore Steadycam — On location at the Octagon House in Shelby Township, Michigan

Writing the Story

One of the high school classes I was teaching at the time was AP Art History. I love how art has continuously reinvented itself throughout history, and I am in awe of the dedication in which artists had devoted to their craft to develop such skill. The modern world still has some of the greatest artists history has ever seen, but new technological distractions were on their way. What if that great painter never picks up a brush because of it? Or all the music that won’t exist because a musician never picks up an instrument? I may not be able to solve that problem, and making a film in an attempt to change the minds of those who don’t care about art didn’t make sense either. That reality has put more pressure on those who do find their art. I wanted to make something for artists that might be struggling. A message that we need you more than ever. Whatever is stopping you, is irrational. It appears strong only because you let it be. “World of Art” is a letter to artists – get through what is holding you back and make art.

WoA Family — Part of the World of Art family. Jonny Victor, Marissa Stober Ruby, Mike Allore, Kira Frabotta, John Dale Kampsen

Production

I owe everything to the cast and crew. Most of which were involved because they believed in the project, not paid for it. People I knew from previous projects, people I met for the first time, current students and former students. Without the sheer number of artists joining on any days they were available, or even talented actors roughing tough locations for a small moment, astounds me to this day. I am forever grateful to all.

From the beginning, I wanted to film to have a cinematic look. DSLRs had not yet joined the ranks of cameras for cinema. Video cameras still looked like, well, video. I had purchased a lens adaptor to go on a Panasonic P2 card camera, which I used for the first time on my previous short film, “The Next Step.” It was a cumbersome addition, but I could used the proper lenses to truly get that cinematic look. But having that “cinematic look” wasn’t enough. The environments and locations couldn’t just be adequate, they had to be perfect. I considered every environment to also be a character. Every location in “World of Art” takes place in southeast Michigan. But it had to look like the backgrounds from art works around the world. I love looking at locations and being inspired by them, so it was beautiful when a location would work out. Former students that worked on the film razzed me a bit by saying, “there are three requirements for a Mike Allore filming location: it’s hard to get to, has flights of stairs, and it’s haunted.”

Good, fast, cheap… pick two. I wanted “World of Art” to be good, but it had to be cost effective too. So that means it wasn’t going to get done quickly. It took almost two years from start of production to the premiere at the Detroit Independent Film Festival. Stories of conquering setbacks, frustrations of reshoots, the wonderful memories of times when we “threaded the needle” (a phrase we used when we got something that we knew would not happen again), and the love of the difficulty in creating film as an art form still inspires me when I watch this film to this day. Of course there are things I would do differently now, as I grew as a writer and filmmaker, but it is a perfect time capsule of where I was at that time.

The Musical Score