UGFTV Senior Malcolm Quinn Silver-Van Meter & Yueyao Wang ('22)
Congrats to UGFTV Senior Malcolm Quinn Silver-Van Meter & Yueyao Wang ('22) on being recipients of the Made Here Fund, an initiative to broaden and diversify storytelling in Vermont. The fund was launched in 2022 to broaden and diversify Vermont storytelling. Makers from across the state were invited to apply for special funding, provided by supporters including current and former members of Vermont Public’s board of directors.
Malcolm Silver-Van Meter & Yueyao Wang, Thetford
Project: The Balloonist, a short documentary film
Funding: $8,000
Malcolm Quinn Silver-Van Meter is a filmmaker, writer, and actor based in Vermont and NYC. The proud son of two schoolteachers, he grew up in rural Vermont where he enjoyed running, skiing, and farming. In 2021, he received a Screenwriting Grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for “Vemork,” a feature-length script evolved from a story he began developing in Susan Sandler’s Adaptation Screenwriting Workshop the year prior. In July 2022, “Vemork” was one of six scripts nominated nationally for the Sloan Student Grand Jury Prize (and was the sole nominee written by an undergrad). "Vemork," which takes place in occupied Norway during WWII, was also influenced by Malcolm's time working as a Production Assistant on Matthew Heineman's documentary "Retrograde," which details the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. As an actor, he recently appeared in “Humanized,” an NYU Advanced TV production written by Gabe Guimaraes (Film & TV ’22) and directed by Colin Sevely-Ortiz (Film & TV ’22). His NYU thesis film, based on stories from his grandmother’s childhood in 1950s Manhattan, will shoot late next month in the city.
Yueyao Wang (Film & TV '22) is an independent producer, filmmaker, screenwriter, and casting director, originally from Beijing. More than anything, she values good story, and is passionate about bringing projects to fruition that provide fresh and interesting perspectives. She currently works as an Executive Business and Legal Affairs Assistant at Topic Studios/First Look Media. She recently worked as Unit Publicist on the Chinese dark comedy Be Somebody, directed by Liu Xunzimo. In recent years, she has also held positions at Killer Films, Maoyan Entertainment, and Huayi Brothers Media Group. She is excited to tell real, relevant, envelope-pushing stories.
The filmmakers were grateful to get to spend time getting to know Brian, the subject of "The Balloonist," while shooting the project with him before he passed away unexpectedly in summer of 2021. They hope to honor Boland's playfulness, thoughtfulness, and creativity; and hope that the film brings a smile to the faces of those who knew him.
The Balloonist introduces viewers to the life and legacy of Brian Boland, folk artist and hot air balloonist from Thetford, Vermont.