Courtney Sposato, Mark Sposato, USA 2022
Filmmaker Courtney Sposato reveals in her short film THE BLAKE, a heartfelt memoir of her own childhood experience of learning about the wonderment of our galaxy. At the same point in time, Courtney absorbs tragedy at home with her brother Matthew’s serious illness and its impact.
Courtney recalls, "Learning about space in school, as a kid, was an escape from the daily family trauma. Space felt big, limitless and a place where my family’s problems weren't so bad."
Archival footage, animation and special interviews capture the incredible educational project Courtney's elementary school teacher took advantage of by creating a space shuttle replica from a dilapidated bus, known as The Blake. The teacher's research showed that NASA's space shuttle Challenger resembled the size of a bus. It was originally marked by Congress as a space truck. This discovery gave the educator a brilliant idea to teach the students about space and traveling capabilities by building a mock shuttle.
The elementary school students were able to learn more about NASA's space endeavors, talk with the astronauts via a ham radio, and broaden their horizons about future explorations in our galaxy.
Courtney shared the exciting things she learned with her brother Matthew because he not only loved information about the universe, aliens, and galaxies beyond; but he would dream of the day he'd also experience everything his sister told him regarding this world. This hope kept him alive.