CODA Proof of Concept
THE
DIRECTOR
Anastasia M. Cummings
A storyteller drawn to narratives from every corner of the world that invoke human resilience
going beyond cultural
or social conflict.
Hailing from Algeria and Congo-Kinshasa, Africa, Anastasia's passion for movies was instilled as a young teenager. Later as an adult in Europe, she viewed directing as translating the voice of the voiceless into moving pictures. She began her career as a Script Supervisor in Los Angeles and has worked as a producer on numerous commercial and independent productions.
The seeds for CODA were sewn while Anastasia was accompanying musicians from The Vienna Symphony Orchestra across Europe during the reunification of Germany and she was deeply influenced by the political climate of the time. This inspired her to have CODA explore the rich musical legacy from East Germany to present day America, focusing on the impact of music on our lives and across cultures and generations.
© Emily Elizabeth Photo
"Music has been a defining influence on my identity as an artist, and an ever-present score since I was a child. From the muezzin’s call to prayer in Algeria to eleven years of classical music training on the piano, it was inevitable that CODA would center on the impact of music on our lives, across cultures and generations. Much like the medium of film, music is also a universal language. Music is the only language CODA’s protagonist truly understands when the movie opens. I wanted his quest to finish a composition and discover his true identity to go beyond who he is as a cellist and reveal who he is as a man."
-Anastasia M. Cummings
© Photography / Mylène Zizzo
THE COMPOSER
Christophe Millois
He has a fascination for orchestral music and his compositions often derive from it.
Born in France, Christophe spent his childhood on the move through Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
His musical style is known for original themes that invite audiences to embark on an inner journey full of authentic cultural and emotional tones.
He has composed scores for film, TV and special events, including the First Feature Film Festival in La Ciotat, France. In 2013, he composed the music for the epic show “Il était une fois 1720”, which led to the music festival being honored with the FFSH national label (Fédération Française des Fêtes et Spectacles Historiques). Christophe’s albums are sold all over the world.
THE
VIENNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
One of Europe’s most prestigious ensembles.
Boasting 128 members and known for the preservation of its traditional orchestral sound, it is the center of symphonic activity that makes up the musical life of the historical city.
Its principal performing venues are Vienna Musikverein and Wiener Konzerthaus, and it now serves as resident opera orchestra for a host of stylistically diverse productions taking place at the Theater an der Wien.
Performing for countless award-winning film scores, CODA is thrilled to partner with this world-renowned orchestra playing the impeccable compositions of Christophe Millois under the masterful guidance of Christian Schulz and Prof. Gerhard Kanzian.
© Courtesy of Vienna Symphony Orchestra
© Photographer / Alex Gray
VIENNA COLLABORATION
C.Millois / Prof. G. Kanzian / C. Schulz / A.Cummings / A.Gray
Accompanied by Christian Schulz, CEO of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra's recording company, SYMPHONIA, we were introduced to one of the largest and most artistically progressive institutions in international musical life. The Wiener Konzerthaus, situated in the heart of Vienna, Austria, is thrilled to partner with CODA as a potential shooting location for the final scene of the film. It is the primary concert venue for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and is considered to be among the five best concert venues in the world for music.
Meet The Team
"No man is an orchestra, no director makes a movie alone."
DAVID BAUD, C.S.I.
Post Production Supervisor
David is a colorist and finishing editor, and a member of the Colorist Society International (CSI) and SMPTE. He has worked for over 25 years in post-production mastering workflows from editing, to creating visual FX, to color grading for the major networks in Europe and the United States.
KAREN GOFFRED
Editor
Karen is a member of The Motion Picture Editor’s Guild Local 700 in Los Angeles. She is an active member of the Guild’s Diversity Committee, whose mission it is to encourage diversity and inclusion within the film industry. She has worked in television in New York City, Colorado, and currently in Los Angeles, California.
OLIVIER SABATIER
Designer/ French Cordinator
Talented Graphic Designer Olivier has considerable experience working with advertising agencies and various international clients creating innovative visual concepts and identities. Olivier resides near Bordeaux in the South West of France and will be acting as CODA’s French coordinator.
LAUREL WILLIAMS
Screenwriter
After earning an MFA in Screenwriting from USC, Laurel embarked on a fruitful career in the film and television business. In addition to optioning numerous screenplays, Laurel works as a senior writer for an exclusive AAA Playstation 5 game.
ALEX GRAY
Creative Producer
Alex’s artistic and technical background with his experience in filmmaking makes him a powerful asset at every stage of production. He will previsualize, storyboard, and coordinate with all creative departments to ensure the Director’s vision is communicated and executed efficiently.
PROF. GERHARD KANZIAN
Orchestra & Vienna Coordinator
A Vienna native, Gerhard has been an active member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra for over 30 years and is currently advisor to the SYMPHONIA, Vienna Symphony Orchestra recording company. His recent credits include the Academy Award-winning Manchester by the Sea (2017) for his arrangements and performance.
“When the Berlin Wall came down, I was studying in West Germany. The first-hand accounts I heard from my friends who made it out of East Germany always stayed with me. Coming from Africa, it was surreal to arrive in Europe expecting a free world and instead to see this wall divide and oppress a nation. Later, I found myself in the company of classical musicians with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. CODA captures the international scene of professional music through the protagonist's aspirations both in America and Europe.”
-Anastasia M. Cummings