“Scraps” Small Towns, Skateboards, and Summer Love
In the summer of 2003 nestled in the quaint landscapes of rural Montana rests the backdrop of “Scraps” a short film that delves into the lives of two closeted teenage boys. Surrounded by skateboarding, small-town prejudices, and the unexpected emergence of young love, the short film is a poignant story.
The ensemble cast includes Peder Lindell, Dorian Giordano, Sophia Schumacher, Travis Bruyer, and Maximus Sanders. Behind the scenes, the creative force is led by director Ryan Nordin, with a team of talented individuals contributing their skills.
The origins of “Scraps” start in the personal journey of director Ryan Nordin, who at the tender age of twelve, faced the challenges of skateboarding in a community full with judgment.
“Some boys laughed at my high voice, saying, “Why do you talk so gay?” and “Why do you dress so funny, you queer?” One remark, “Skating ain’t for fags,” sent me home faster than a hare on fire” said Nordin. “Time passed and I picked up solo sports like ski racing, rock climbing, and golf. I wasn’t judged in these activities and I began to feel more confident. But I still wasn’t ready to tell anyone about the thing I kept buried deep down.”
The film’s inspiration stems from Nordin’s own transformative experience with queer cinema, notably the impact of “Call Me By Your Name.”
“The level of emotion that struck this closeted, shy, deeply confused teenager, was insurmountable. Years of hating myself for who I was carried itself to the corners of my eyes. This wasn’t just a movie. This was an awakening.”
This encounter not only ignited his passion for filmmaking but also propelled him to create “Scraps,” a story that aims to resonate with the struggles of countless LGBTQ+ individuals.
“I left the futon with three very important things; a sense of acceptance, the lust to become a filmmaker, and a craving for more queer films. Luca Guadagnino pushed over a line of dominos in me that inspired me to follow in his footsteps.”
And Nordin was on his path to making movies. And now that “Scraps is on the festival circuit he has a chance to look back at what he has learned. One of the standout aspects of the production was the collaborative effort with the actors.
“I felt like I did a great job of building a community between everyone involved. 35 people worked on Scraps! Twelve of the core crew and actors stayed in a big house and ate meals together. I think everyone was able to feel a lot more comfortable around one another on set because of this.”
However the filmmaking journey was not without its challenges. Unpredictable weather, including two days of heavy rain forced Nordin to adapt the script creatively. “I spontaneously ran rehearsals with the actors to call attention to the weather. Surprisingly, it helped the story a lot! Skateboarding in the rain really helped Gus’ struggle.”
Despite the hurdles, Nordin expresses no regrets. He believes that everyone involved gave their utmost to bring “Scraps” to life, and he wouldn’t change a thing.
His advice to aspiring filmmakers emphasizes the importance of specialization, suggesting that having a unique skill makes it easier to find a place on film production sets. “Unless you want to PA, It’s hard to be involved in production if you’re too multi-hyphenated. I’d suggest working as an AC. Every AC I know is constantly busy.”
For those curious about future projects, Ryan Nordin directs them to his website ryannordin.com and Instagram @rye_nordin .
“Scraps” is an official selection in the Utah International Film Festival February 12-17 and will be screening at Maven Cinema in American Fork, UT.
