The Gymnast - a short fictional film

This fictional short film follows a former gymnastics champion, now stuck in a dead end job with an abusive boyfriend.
By Chalked Up author Jennifer Sey.
Directed by Lance McDaniel.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Lance
• McDaniel
• Short
• Film
• Jen
• Sey
• Jennifer
• Gymnastics
• ChalkedUp

[GymMushu]

I'm really puzzled by your need to relive the past 20 years, give or take, later. I guess a few experiences are too strong to just shelf away. You may want to watch Alain Resnais's movies. The two I recall the most are Hiroshima Mon Amour and Last year at Marienbad. He has some interesting rationalization as to why the future and present are meaningless and the only thing real is the past.

[ChalkedUp]

I think many writers delve into personal experience for fodder - whether it is past, present or imagined future. I don't live there (the past, I mean). But I do look to my own experiences in the world - and then imagine them differently (better or worse) to fictionalize them. "Bad Day" is much more based in the present, and, though not true, based on some experiences in being a mom.

[ChalkedUp]

Won best actress in a short film at the NY International Film and Video Festival (LA screening) in 2004. Congrats Jen Greenhut!

[gymnasticsfan1000]

@gymnasticsfan1000 I have kids in competitive sports, I would like to think that I am emotionally attached to them enough for them to come to me with their concerns. There are "know it all " coaches out there, where its just not a good fit. If you stay with them, and they dont think you are "up to the task" for whatever reason, they tell you so in abusive ways. Not everything is accomplished the same way. We went against all the coaches, and now my son is so much better off.

[gymnasticsfan1000]

Everyone deals with the trauma in different ways. I like Jennifers honest attitude toward gymnastics vs others, (ie, she knew others enjoyed it more) and describing her mothers relationship. The foundation of being a competitive athlete is being honest with not only yourself, but those around you as well. I think the real struggle was between the her and her mother. She could not talk openly to her for whatever reason. This is why her experience was so bad.

[roshinishah]

Hey..I think the actors have done a great job in the film..The story was really heartwarming!!Are you into some professional courses for filmmaking or otherwise?

I would really like to hear from you..!

[bbhouk1]

@bbhouk1 still waiting for an answer....

[bbhouk1]

i dont get it

wat happened????

[apluskel]

i agree. The U.S. went through rough patches in it's years of growing into a superpower and now it seems to be on a successful track. Just look at Nastia - healthy, happy, successful and sane.

[missjpace]

Also to consider is her performance at the Barcelona games. It seems she just fell apart.

[CampbellScot]

Kim Zmeskal has certainly said that training was intense and food was restricted. That is to be expected in Elite level, Olympic year training. But just LOOK at Kim, see her white face and sunken cheeks. She was weak and sick. Whether she admits it or not, her appearance screams the truth. Don't judge. Learn.

[jeyzi]

Kim Zmeskal claims that "nothing happened" when she was trained by Bela. Dominique Moceanu has a different "interpretation" of what Kim Zmeskal went through.