Ellipsis in Writing is a 17-minute experimental documentary directed by and starring Bobby Sehorn. The film chronicles one student's journey and struggles as a writer and filmmaker, offering a raw and introspective look at the challenges faced in both creative and personal realms.
Sehorn, a former alcoholic and homeless drug addict, began his filmmaking career with a cricket phone while on the streets. His first documentary, Taking Shape, is featured on his YouTube channel. In Ellipsis in Writing, Sehorn explores the human experience of overcoming obstacles, emphasizing respect and empathy beyond superficial differences. The film reflects his personal journey and broader themes of personal growth and understanding in the context of writing and filmmaking.
Ellipsis in Writing isn’t a groundbreaking achievement nor is it incredibly clear about what it seeks to do or teach. What it does show is one man’s struggle with the creative process and the errors one makes while learning new skills. What was meant to be the film was accidentally deleted by Sehorn while he was trying to edit the footage. While most would have ended their project then and there, Sehorn keeps on, showing us the perseverance of someone who is dedicated to learning a new art.
While perhaps not incredibly informative or useful to a broad number of people, anyone struggling in writing or filmmaking would take some value from. His mistakes are fairly obvious, and he even states as much. Perhaps as Sehorn continues creating new films, we will be able to see this as a step along the path to greatness. Until then, it is difficult to judge where this title would fit into many library collections. If you have a lot of patrons asking for materials about writing or filmmaking, consider Ellipsis in Writing as a possible teaching tool. Optional.