by David Miller

Sam Smith graduated from Loveland High School in 2018

Loveland, Ohio – Loveland High School graduate Samuel Wright Smith has been chosen to be the Director of Photography on the high-profile short film, Heartbreak on Murray Hill and fundraising has begun in earnest to support the costly production. Loveland area residents might be particularly interested in donating or becoming a “credited” producer.

The film promises a slash of Edward Hopper-esque cinematography from Smith who will act as the eyes of the film, sculpting light, movement, and framing.

The movie is the true story of the director’s (Malcolm Quinn Silver-Van Meter) grandmother’s childhood breakup in 1956 immigrant NYC.

In preparing to begin shooting, Smith described his vision of how two scenes will be composed:

“A smoggy evening light outlines a working-class mother, hunched over a sewing machine. A split composition: out of focus in the background of her 1956 New York tenement apartment, her children hug their father.”

“Bobby, 11, donning a school uniform, stands over the camera with a note in her hand. A low-angle, wide-lens shot might indicate confidence, but not here. The note fills the frame and holds the power. Her body looks awkward and distorted—her hands are too big, torso too long, head too small.”

Since leaving Loveland in 2018 for the prestigious New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Smith has been the cinematographer on numerous projects including Crimson Ties, directed by Francesca Scorcese, which premiered at Tribeca. In 2020, at only age of 19, he published a photo book titled Abandoned Cincinnati through Fonthill Publishing.

Recently, Smith shot a feature film with the Secoya indigenous community in the Ecuadorian rainforest. His work has garnered attention at other major festivals including Nashville Film Festival and Beverly Hills Film Festival.

For Heartbreak on Murray Hill, the crew will build a replica 1956 tenement apartment. Smith describes the style as “warm realism”. Pulling inspiration from American Realist painters, he intends to create a style that is bold, believable, and magical.

When shooting begins, Smith will be using a sound stage at the NYC landmark, Kaufman Astoria Studios* which has been making entertainment history for more than 90 years. Heartbreak on Murray Hill will be filmed on stage F which belongs to Sesame Street when they are in production.**

Heartbreak on Murray Hill is the story of 11-year-old Bobby and her first breakup in 1950s NYC. It is based on a true story.

Heartbreak is set to be one of NYU’s most ambitious thesis films ever. Seeking an indie budget of $150K, the film is fiscally sponsored and donations are tax-deductible.

“Writing and photographing for Loveland Magazine in high school opened my eyes to the possibility of meaningful work through the lens of a camera. I owe so much of where I am to David Miller, the LM publisher. So many peers, teachers, and community organizers in the Loveland community gave me the push to pursue my dreams. I can’t believe that this is my life now. Living off of art seemed impossible once. But thanks to community: here I am,” said Smith.

Contact Sam Smith via EMAIL if you need more information about your fully tax-deductible support of Heartbreak on Murray Hill.

I just want to give to Heartbreak on Murray Hill.

Choose your donation amount

• $500.00
• $1,000.00
• $1,500.00
• Other

Donate $500 or more

SUPPORTER

Thank you so much for your support! For this generous donation you will receive a shout out on our social media!

Donate $1,000 or more

DONOR

Thank you so much for your generosity! For this donation you will receive our Donor Package including behind the scenes content and a shout out on our social media!

Donate $2,500 or more

PATRON

For this donation you will receive our Patron Package including behind the scenes content, and early access to stills and trailers of the film, as well as a shout out on our social media!

Donate $5,000 or more

BENEFACTOR

For this donation, you will receive a Benefactor Package including behind the scenes content and early access to stills and trailers of the film, as well as an invitation to HBOMH red carpets and premieres!

Donate $10,000 or more

CO-PRODUCER

For this donation, you will receive the Co-producer Package, including your name in the credits, your own IMDB page, behind the scenes content, and early access to stills & trailers of the film, as well as an invite to HBOMH red carpets and premieres!

Donate $25,000 or more

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER

Associate Producer Package: an invitation to set, your name in the credits, your own IMDB page, behind the scenes content, as well as early access to the final cut of the film, and an invite to HBOMH red carpets and premieres!

Donate $60,000 or more

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

VIP Executive Producer Package: exclusive behind the scenes access and an invitation to the set, as well as your name in the credits, your own IMDB page, early access to the final cut of the film, and invitations to attend HBOMH red carpets and premieres!

Learn more about Heartbreak on Murray Hill and meet the team

DONATE and SUPPORT the Production of Heartbreak on Murray Hill

* Today, KAS is the location for major motion pictures, independent film, television shows and commercials. The stages have been graced by actors such as Harrison Ford, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Tom Hanks, Bill Cosby, Demi Moore and many other esteemed stars. Kaufman has also been the chosen production location of prominent directors including Martin Scorsese, Sydney Lumet, Norman Jewison, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Greengrass. Today, KAS is the location for major motion pictures, independent film, television shows and commercials. The stages have been graced by actors such as Harrison Ford, Matt Damon, Ben Stiller, Meryl Streep, Al Pacino, Tom Hanks, Bill Cosby, Demi Moore and many other esteemed stars. Kaufman has also been the chosen production location of prominent directors including Martin Scorsese, Sydney Lumet, Norman Jewison, Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, and Paul Greengrass.

**In 2008, Martin P. Robinson, who plays Mr. Snuffleupagus, Telly Monster, and Slimey the Worm on Sesame Street, married Annie Evans, a writer for the show on the Sesame Street set. The ceremony was performed on the steps of 123 Sesame Street and the reception was held throughout the rest of the set.

Watch this promotion for the film Capulí, which Smith recently shot in the Secoya indigenous community in the Ecuadorian rainforest