FIRST CHAIR | Omeleto
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- A clarinet player tries to hold 'first chair'.
FIRST CHAIR is used with permission from Montgomery Brothers. Learn more at / montgomery_brothers .
Jin is a clarinet player who holds first chair in her college band. During the week of chair assessments, she meets a new student and clarinet player, Nathan. Nathan is prodigiously talented, with a naturally keen ear. But Jin is determined to hold onto her first chair position.
She pushes herself to practice more, spending hours alone. But Jin is unconfident and feels down, deriving little joy in the process of playing the clarinet. But as she feels the press of rivalry and competition and develops a tentative friendship with Nathan, she also reveals the authentic voice within herself.
Directed and written by Montgomery Brothers -- twins Luke and Ethan Montgomery, who also plays the role of Nathan -- this sensitive, perceptive short drama is about music and musicians, immersed in the nitty-gritty of learning, playing, practicing and performing. But it's also about the act of listening and hearing, both to others and to one's self, and how it can reveal and change our inner voices.
The film begins with a sequence of Jin in a practice room playing a self-composed song on piano before dutifully picking up the clarinet, shot from outside the room, almost in a furtive, secretive way. In many ways, the storytelling that follows is equally pared-down and poetic: the writing offers little background information and the dialogue throughout is sparse, more concerned with concrete details instead of introspective feeling. But with its moodier, almost somber cinematography and perceptive camera, the film deftly captures the undertow of emotion underlying Jin's action. It's a river of feeling she only gives voice to in her own music. But in her surface life, she goes through the motions of achievement and success.
That arc towards achievement is threatened when Nathan enters the picture. He has a keen, precise ear, able to pick out fleeting wrong notes in a flurry of melody. More importantly, he seems to simply enjoy playing the clarinet more, moving with the rhythm. None of this is lost on Jin, who begins to ramp up her practice out of a growing, gnawing sense of insecurity. Actor Jin Kim deftly captures the flickers of conflicted emotions within her character, especially the tug between an inner private yearning towards her own music and the dutiful demands for excellence in her public performance. Jin keeps these two sides of her music-making in separate compartments, but the borders between them dissolve when she finds a fragile bond with Nathan -- and she brings her inner voice out into the open.
In a more predictable film, FIRST CHAIR would parlay the film's most heartfelt moment into one that transforms Jin and Nathan, opening them up to a blossoming friendship and self-actualization. But the storytelling is too restrained and emotionally intelligent for that. Instead, the film gently veers onto a different, perhaps more realistic path, one that asks questions about the tension between inner direction and outer reinforcement -- and what it may take to break that tension and fly free to where we truly want to go.
As a clarinet player who spent many years in a collegiate setting, this short film is incredibly accurate and personal. The attention to detail regarding diegetic music as well as rehearsal and practice techniques are noteworthy, but most importantly the idea of one's reality being shaken up with the people you meet.
Coming to a new undergraduate setting when you were at the top in your high school, and even further more when pursuing advanced degrees and meeting even more talented players has a "little fish in a big pond effect". This can really shake up your self-esteem and pressure you to be the best, even if it means putting aside passions like in the ending of this film.
In the end, it is not about them, but about you, and your own progress. While it is inevitable that we must compete as musicians for placement or jobs, the progress we make and the player we become versus the the player we were before is most important, and this short film is in tune with that. Well done Montgomery brothers on this one!!
I found this story highly relatable as a high school trombone. Fitting your instrument through the door, the competitiveness, and the practicing. My private lesson teacher always says if you practice slow, you'll play great fast. I felt like the protagonist once. I used to be second chair at my middle school, but a kid with connections joined and got the favor of my director, I was moved to last chair and he took my place. The feeling of competitiveness reminds me a lot about this realization: competition is good, but if you can't best those above you, it's better to focus on improving yourself. Also it's good to make friends and not to be all competitive.
Very well said... 💙
My daughter was always first clarinet, but it didn’t matter in the great scheme of things. Her life hasn’t been easy.
The incredible song was written by Molly Pederson and actually performed by Jin Kim 🥰 Proud to have both Jin and the Montgomery brothers in my hometown!
Jin is insanely talented!!!!!! Has she been in other film?
By "the incredible song", do you mean Molly Pederson wrote the eponomous "Molly on the Shore"?
@@jacejunk no. "Anyway"
Brings back many memories. When I started playing baritone/euphonium in the 8th grade I was horrible. I stuck with it and In my senior year my instructor told me he wanted me to try out for all-state band. I was surprised because I was only third chair in the school band at the time. In that band we had to request audition challenges in order to advance a chair and I had some confidence issues and didn't feel I was good enough to move up so never even tried. I practiced my tail off and when the final all-state list came out I couldn't believe that I was actually on it. I was fifth chair but was over the moon to have been chosen at all. It was a huge ego boost and when we were finished with that I challenged for first chair at school and easily dispatched the first and second chair players. I've always considered learning to play that instrument well one of the greatest achievements of my life.
Just when she started singing It was so unexpected and beautiful ❤️
Talented singer.
As a member of my high school orchestra who held first chair my entire senior year, I very much relate to this. I remember the time someone new showed up in class and they were good. I felt my spot would be threatened. It didn't help I was the oldest, and felt pride in also being the section leader.
Oh it always feels like a kick in the teeth when someone younger comes along who is a threat to your position. I guess I was that person in high school because sophomore year I got first chair and kept it until I graduated. It was in college where I figured out I really wasn't that good.
I stopped playing when I went off to college, sadly, but I still pick up my violin from time to time@@SaxyLament
This is insanely relatable. Brought up some core memories from middle and high school orchestra
Very well done! I had to smile when noticing that “Ben Goodman” made 5th clarinet!
I missed that! Classic!
;)
The acting is excellent: authentic and truthful. Great story. Well done.
Ahh, the joys of the practice room... cramped, stuffy, hot, no air circulation. Does this ever bring back memories!
A truly compelling use of a live ensemble! As a Flute Player it excites me to see a short film based on band. 1st chair in my opinion holds the highest talents, yes, however, as well to yielding the highest responsibility to lead and guide others. Being the best isn’t all 1st chair but is a position where others can look up to for guidance and help. This short can be perceived in numerous perspectives depending on how your band’s “1st chair” atmosphere is expressed. I personally enjoyed starting as 2/3rd flute as the lower splits are SO FUN to play as a harmony and I loveeee low register!! Tho I went on to hold 1st chair and guided my section especially complementing lower parts that aren’t heard as much.
It goes to say that 1st chair holds a tight bridge between perfection and leadership in my perspective 🎶
♥️
I was first chair/lead violinist in my high school orchestra and this reminds me of that one kid who was always trying to upstage me
Exquisitely beautiful short, perfectly written, produced and directed by the Montgomery brothers, masterful cinematography by Graham Skinner and flawlessly acted by Jin Kin and Ethan Montgomery! 👏🏻👏🏻💖
What did you think was good about the acting?
Totally agree ❤❤❤
@@yellowbiker7286 which of these praises do you agree with, and why?
@@JackOLanternBob all of them. I think this video is very emotional. What do you think ur self?
Sometimes you have to follow your heart, and not your grades and accolades.
Wow - loved the story, and the singing too. Nicely done!
Is there a full version of the song written by the character Jin anywhere?
I've played Molly on the Shore before, on alto clarinet. Quite a challenging piece.
Damn, this orchestra is competitive. FOUR clarinetist beat out Benny.
Haha!! Truth.
At the beginning, she was “playing” when she SHOULD be practicing. Now that she retains her first chair, will she finish that song? Since the clarinet bag is now on top of the closed piano lid, my guess is “no”.
You probably understood it right. I didn't get the ending at first.
Probably right, she won't finish it that school year; but I'd like to think that over Summer break she goes back to the piano and realizing that her passion lies there, decides to do it full time.
I was surprised that this was the only comment (that I saw) where someone else seemed to understand the short the way I did. I feel like her competitor, who ended up getting 2nd chair, did so because he just genuinely enjoys playing and didn’t take it so competitively, he just happened to be talented. But he also seemed to be okay with that imo. For him it’s just about playing an instrument he enjoys, not which chair he got. She was taken over with the competition and put to the side what she seemed to be more passionate about, something she played from the heart, because of the competition. I felt like the short wasn’t so much about the competition of who got first or second chair, but of potentially losing sight of other things you love because you get too caught up in the competition. She’ll probably never finish that beautiful song because now she feels as if she has to practice even more and can’t be distracted by anything else, even if it’s something she enjoys or loves.
@@mangofree spot on!
Awesome short. As a former music student I can relate!👍🏽❤️🎶
I never cared about my chair in highschool. I was last chair in the clarinet section, I was never good with higher parts and I didn’t really care to practice. Regardless I focused on writing music rather than clarinet. Now I’m in music production and a solo artist. Haven’t really picked up my clarinet since then. Best decision I ever made was to ignore practicing choir or band related things. I just focused on what i wanted to do. I don’t regret a thing, if you have a passion just chase it. Don’t put your case on the piano like the girl did in the end. Put the case on the floor and open that dang lid
I was first chair for flute in middle school and did not want to be 😂
Did the Montgomery Brothers also write that song? It’s amazing they should release it if they haven’t already I love it ♥️ So beautiful
The credits show that Molly Pederson wrote the song - and performed it with Jin Kin. Yes, a beautiful song! 💕
This was a great short.From 8th grade until 12th me and another guy alternated between 1st and 2nd chair Trumpet....it was a healthy competition and we were always cool about it ...heck we even dated the same girl at one point.😂
Do u guys still know each other 👀
@@cutestuff9538 I ran into his sister a few years back and learned he was living in another state,married with kids...I asked her to tell him hello for me . BTW the girl we both dated ended up marrying another classmate of ours....funny how things work out.
@@digidrum2003 and do either of you still play? none of the principals from my school still play.
@@worldof2ndfluteclarinet353 I do not,but my family wants to hear me play so I may pick it back up.
really well told story. easy to get. powerful message.
Pursue what you love, not what they tell you to to
Beautiful
I had a feeling
right at the start
that her piano playing
and the song
Would be the highlight.
I thought the song was
oh so beautiful
and the music, words
and singing beneficent.
She sings quite well
and if that really is
her song?
It has potential for #1.
5 Stars / 5
* * * * *
+ Durasaxon +✝️
Excellent short film! 🎹 🎶
Someone else wrote it, but she definitely sang it
This explain the idea of how people can change for staying number 1.
Bro school is starting in 3 days and I am stressing I won’t get 2nd chair. This is dummy accurate. My name is Nathan, and I play clarinet. This is scary.
Hope you get the chair you're going for!
Someone can be very talented at something and you would never know it because they are wasting it on something else
... or because they have never been encouraged (apart from lessons).
I played the clarinet for several years but sadly never made first chair.
Makes me think a little of Whiplash. Determined and blinded by a set objective instead of seeing the alternative, in a sense "better" path to take.
awesome job guys great film it kept me on the edge of my mental seat despite the events portrayed just being normal life type things
The added end cards are in the way of the credits
I was a little scared to watch this because not only was I a music ed major with emphasis in clarinet, I was also first chair until my final year when a sophomore took over (it was really close though in auditions). I know how it feels to be threatened by someone who is better but that didn't stop my "whatever" attitude. Doing poorly at the end of my third year as well as getting a teacher who really knew what he was doing is what lit a fire under my butt. By the time my senior recital came around I didn't feel like a clarinet player anymore. Instead I felt like a clarinetist. I can't play like that anymore though.
Anyway I thought Nathan would challenge Jin in rehearsal and he would either take first chair or he would crack in front of everyone and end up embarrassed. Great short film!
i have the same reed case as Nathan!
I was last chair clarinet 🥺
WHATS A CLARINET....LOL
@@thomasfisher5742 dude, that's what the whole movie was about
Relatable, I was last chair trombone since my director liked the incoming seventh grader more.
Band was fun though....I bet ya miss it.
@@digidrum2003 I don’t… I’m still in band
My new favorite short film!
This was directed by my friends Luke and Ethan Montgomery! I actually got to be an extra in this and it turned out so well :) Very accurate to the competitiveness of high-level college and high school music programs
Didn't seem like there was any crazy competitiveness
It’s more a mental idea of competitiveness. You psych yourself out and you’re always trying to be the best in your ensemble. It’s almost never explicitly said irl - you just assume everyone else is gunning for the same place and you practice like crazy to stay on top.
Where can I listen to this Song sung by her?
I really thought by her reaction at the end that he had taken first place for clarinet chair. So I don't really understand her reaction. Does she really feel that threatened? How insecure.
They should go on a date :)
Can someone please explain the ending?
Damn this was good. I need to get that song in full tho
So by her going into room 112 and not 111 at the end mean she decided to give him first chair and take a step back??
I didn’t take it as that. She wanted first chair. In the end when they show her clarinet case on the piano it’s symbolizing that she’s choosing clarinet over the piano, which she played for fun, to focus on the clarinet and the competition of keeping her first chair, which means she’ll probably never finish her song that she wrote because she wanted to. I don’t think the room numbers mean anything. The short is about losing sight of something you love and enjoy because you’re blinded by competition or something that you think you’re supposed to be more serious about. She got first chair because she practiced hard, but she still lost out because she put aside something she loved and did for fun. He got second chair because he just played and genuinely enjoyed it and didn’t make it about the competition. It wasn’t about being the best for him.
Nathan is the real life Roblox baconhair
Can any one tell me the name of the song that Jin Kim sang with the piano? ❤❤❤ This video
I'm a weird movie person lol. It's in the credits. "Anyway" performed by Jim Kim
@@PancakeDiaries ok thanks
I thought she would kill him
I ❤❤❤ it
I do not get it?
Why did she snub him?
It may be because she retained first chair and now has no life apart from clarinet when she really wants to be playing piano.
What's the empty on the last shot of ending scene?
nooooooo!
I dont get it. Why was she a beech at the end?? Did she realise that she only wanted to be number 1 and so F everyone else?
12:04 You mean to tell me Benny Goodman is the weakest player.....
Maybe this was his early years as a musician? :)