First Chair is a heart-wrenching drama about Charlie Mann, a gentleman in his sixties who strives to be the best violinist in his symphony orchestra. His confidence is quickly obliterated when he has to re-audition for his own seat as First Chair against a competitor with an unfair advantage. 

The short film focuses on Charlie and his perspective on futuristic technologies that seem far off from implementation today, but may actually be right around the corner. The film's striking juxtaposition between classical music and the realm of ever-developing artificial intelligence sheds light on the uncertain future of classical art as society becomes arguably less and less human.

Though some of the characters are more advanced with technology use than others, the film underlines the various effects technological "advancements" may have on artists. For example, each of the three judges in the film has a different opinion on AI.

Click the 3 dots at the top next to "Story" to meet the team and check out the amazing Copernicus Center! Keep reading below for more on Charlie's story and his mysterious competitor...

The overall tone of First Chair is dark and gritty with muted energy. When there is color and light, it is vibrant and bold, and draws the viewer's attention accordingly. For one, this contrast is highlighted in the stark differences between the warm, bright theater where the final scene takes place versus Charlie’s muted and cold home. The warmth of the theater also juxtaposes the robotic, impersonal, and cold connotations of AI itself. Additionally, different color palettes are used with the respective characters to further underscore various elements of the story.

Artificial intelligence is a topic that is more relevant than ever. Ever-developing AI technologies enable companies to function more efficiently at a level that is valuable to businesses, and in many ways, valuable to society as a whole. However, AI will only continue to increasingly affect everyday people who have positions that can be replaced with technology, as well as the arts and how consumers appreciate and interact with the artistic sphere as a whole.  By filming First Chair, we hope to humanize the discussion around AI and shed light on the far-reaching implications it already does and will undoubtedly have on communities. 

First Chair also celebrates women in the filmmaking industry, as the project's Director and Executive Producers are all women. According to USC Annenberg's January 2024 article, "Was 2023 the year of the woman director? Survey says... no", women comprised a mere 12.1% of directors on the top 100 films of 2023. This is just one statistic of many that all ultimately reflect the same ugly truth: women in film are underrepresented, and the glass ceiling has yet to break. 

Charlie will be played by first time actor, James Sanders, a talented musician based out of Chicago. He earned a Masters Degree in Performance from Yale University and has held a seat in the Chicago Sinfonietta since 1993. James mentors young musicians through the orchestra's Project Inclusion and SEED programs.     Sanders is also known for the curriculum he developed to teach the fundamentals of improvisation to classically trained string players. He also teaches and coordinates the string program for the Arlington Heights, IL School District. He is on the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago.

As we polish our shot list, hold rehearsals, and put the final pieces in place to enable a successful production process, we're relying on contributions from generous donors like you to bring this vision to life. This essential support will help us finance First Chair, compensate our talented collaborators for their work, and promote the film to wider audiences. Because First Chair is an independent project, community involvement is at the core of what enables us to do what we do best: create art that speaks to people. Your support is invaluable, and we deeply appreciate your time and consideration.

Human engagement is something that doesn’t go unnoticed the more AI becomes prominent in live performances. However, humanity and creativity remains crucial, as it is the soul of any art. While AI becomes more mainstream in our everyday lives, it’s important that we are vigilant against AI replacing genuine connections between people and overshadowing human experiences. Additionally, I am extremely passionate about supporting the performing arts. Growing up, my father encouraged me to see plays and live performances as often as I could. I see bits of myself in Charlie as he struggles to stay true to himself as an artist in the face of the challenges against him. As a woman in film, I aspire to make my mark on an industry which has historically excluded women from director positions. I can't wait for you to watch First Chair, and I know you will enjoy seeing Charlie's story brought to life. Thank you for your support.