AMY NESWALD
author. filmmaker. educator.
Build Me Up, Buttercup
When a grieving Izzy discovers her father's old sketchbooks, she embarks on a mission to find its missing page and, in doing so, reunite a drawing come to life with his family.
Made in Maine
Written by Kaitlin Sewell when she was a BFA student at the University of Maine at Farmington, Build Me Up Buttercup caught the eye and heart of her screenwriting professor Amy Neswald. When Amy asked Kaitlin for permission to make the film, Kaitlin said yes and the movie was on its way.
It didn't take much to convince Art and New Media professor Dawn Nye to act as cinematographer and producer on the short as well as offer her digital expertise, as the story marries live action narrative and animation.
And Dawn brought on a motley crew of friends, family, students, and alumni to bring the story to life.
Cast and Crew
Violet McDonald as Izzy
Sarah Carnahan as Lynn
Joel Johnson as Dan
and
Benny as himself
Written by Kaitlin Sewell
Directed by Amy Neswald
Cinematography by Dawn Nye
Animation by Amy Neswald
FX by Dawn Nye
With
Assistant Director: Sol Labelle
Assistant Camera: Nik Cole
Casting: Katie O’Donnell
Music: Tom O’Donnell
Sound Mastering: Adin Merritt
Sound: Joel Johnson, Hannah Hutchings
Script Supervisors: Sammy Dupuis, Makena Pauly, Samantha Taylor
Props: Artemis Monteith
Asst hair & make-up: Artemis Monteith
Catering: Hunter Kemp
Production Assistants: Hunter Kemp, Sol LaBelle, Artemis Monteith
Boom Operators: Sol LaBelle, Hunter Kemp
