About the Project
Her Garden is a romantic stream-of-consciousness experimental feature film and audiobook infused with themes that focus on mental illness, mermaids, and love. The story takes place circa 3am in the mind of a woman who is having difficulty sleeping. As she tosses and turns, she reflects on her childhood in a poor urban area being raised by her widowed mother while unfairly tasked with looking after her mentally ill aunt. The lines between reality and imagination blur as she drifts in and out of sleep, consciousness, dreams, and memories trying to find stable ground amid grief and hope.
The film's premiere will take place at the AnkhLave Arts Alliance house on Governors Island in New York City on July 13, 2024. The screening is free. The film can also be streamed on YouTube.
The film's premiere will take place at the AnkhLave Arts Alliance house on Governors Island in New York City on July 13, 2024. The screening is free. The film can also be streamed on YouTube.
The Team
Her Garden was produced by Quail Bell Press & Productions in Brooklyn, NY. The writer is Meagan J. Meehan; the director/star/narrator is Christine Stoddard; and the cinematographer, sound designer, and lead editor is Jacob M. Baron. Aaron Gold plays a supporting role and Ro Rovito is the assistant editor.
Pictured above: Meagan J. Meehan (left) and Christine Stoddard (right).
Christine Stoddard (director/lead) is a multi-hyphenated artist and storyteller named one of Brooklyn Magazine’s Top 50 Most Fascinating People. She is known for her off-beat humor and poetic but playful experimental works spanning across media. Some notable examples include the critically-acclaimed stage play "Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares," the arthouse feature film Sirena’s Gallery (streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, etc.), the books Desert Fox by the Sea and Belladonna Magic, the performance acts Art Bitch and Queen Jaguar, the culture publication Quail Bell Magazine, and the comics "Forget Fairytales." She hosts the feminist talk show "Badass Lady-Folk" and co-hosts the new comedy TV show "Don't Mind If I Don't" with Aaron Gold. You can find her work in Bustle, Cosmopolitan, Ms. Magazine, The Huffington Post, the Portland Review, Yes! Magazine, Native Peoples Magazine, Digital America, and elsewhere. Her work has appeared in productions, programs, and exhibitions by The Tank, the Queens Botanical Garden, the Gene Frankel Theatre, the Elisabet Ney Museum, the Players Theatre, the New York Transit Museum, the People's Improv Theater, the Poe Museum, and beyond. Currently, she is a book writer in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop and a Master's candidate in Documentary Journalism at Columbia University. She is a graduate of The City College of New York and Virginia Commonwealth University. Find out more at WorldOfChristinestoddard.com
Meagan J. Meehan (audiobook writer/screenwriter) is a published author, poet, cartoonist, and produced playwright and screenwriter. She pens columns for Vocal Media, HVY, Blasting News, Kidskintha Blog, and Entertainment Vine. She is also a stop-motion animator and an award-winning abstract artist. Meagan holds a Bachelors in English Literature from New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), a Masters in Communication from Marist College, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction and the Science of Learning at University at Buffalo (SUNY). She is an animal advocate and a fledgling toy, game, and shoe designer. A curator and art teacher as well as an artist, Meagan serves on the board of directors of Westbury Arts. She is the founder of the “Conscious Perceptionalism” art movement.
www.meaganjmeehan.com
www.meaganjmeehan.com
Jacob Maximillian Baron (cinematographer/sound designer/lead editor) is a filmmaker and videographer working out of New York, NY. His work - ranging from narrative films and documentaries to music videos and experimental shorts - has been shown both domestically and internationally at various festivals and events. He's pleased as punch to be working with his wonderful collaborator Christine Stoddard for the millionth time, approximately.
Aaron Gold (supporting) is a comedian, actor, writer, and host. He has appeared on Mtv, Nickelodeon, TNT, and NBC, as well as lent his voice to several Disney cartoons. His mental health comedy show, "You Are Not Alone: An Uplifting Show About Depression" has been enjoying monthly performances at the Magnet Theater for over 9 years now, and has partnered with NAMI NYC to combat the stigma associated with mental health. He is a two-time Silver Telly award winner, appears in the upcoming murder thriller, "The Art of Diversion," sequel comedy fan film, “The Mask: Gone Viral,” and recently played several dark and disturbing roles in "Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares" at The Tank. Aaron is the host of "Don't Mind If I Don't," a podcast-turned-TV show where fans and experts of things he doesn't like convince him why he is wrong. He co-starred in the limited podcast, "Bad Guys & B-Sides," playing an angsty teenage guitarist turned magical sorcerer.
Ro Rovito (assistant editor) is a comedian, artist, and dork from New Jersey. They have been an improviser for nearly a decade, studying improv at UCB and Magnet theaters. Ro also has extensive experience in sketch comedy, writing and performing on the Magnet sketch team Rococo (no relation), as well as directing in sketch workshops such as Ringers and Moxie; the later of which seeks to give sketch writing experience to women, trans, and non-binary folks. When they’re not playing sexually confident older women in Shot4Shot, they can be found playing video games, painting miniatures at @baroke_hobbies, or doing dumb bits on tiktok. They can be found @Ro_rovito on most socials, when they choose to be found.