Local short film reaches 1 million YouTube views

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

“Ballet Audition,” a 10-minute short film written and directed by Art Byrd of Youngstown, has reached 1 million views on YouTube.

Shot at Ballet Western Reserve in 2006, it was made in hopes of being posted on Converse shoes’ Web site. It wasn’t selected, so Byrd put it on YouTube in late 2006.

The story centers on two dancers. One has a terrible audition in front of the judges and accidentally takes another dancer’s ballet shoes. The dancer whose shoes were taken must then decide whether or not to audition.

Byrd worked with Anita Lin, former artistic director of Ballet Western Reserve, in making the short film.

The featured dancers are Cristina Cala and Victoria Ramm, both of Boardman.

The supporting dancers are Lauren Fekete, Juliana Cala, Courteny Cochran, Beth Clowes, Delaney Marsco, Natalia Hagan and Kathryn Young. Supporting roles were played by Lin, Jane Hill and Laura Larsden. Gary Pedaline was co-director of photography; Jessica Kistler was key grip.

Byrd is an instructor at Youngstown State University.