Behind the scenes on Dark Matter

By Dharyl Usina and Laura-Joy Pieters

During our DARK MATTER season in 2019, Young Leader Laura-Joy Pieters was inspired by Vera Rubin, the first scientist to discover dark matter.

An actress and Chemistry graduate, Laura came up with an idea for a short film that would channel Rubin’s pioneering spirit. Laura worked with film director Adeyemi Michael to develop a concept drawing parallels between dark matter and the unseen presence of black women in science.

Fast-forward a few months, and Laura’s idea came to life on a film set, complete with underwater scenes and gorgeous sunset shots over London.

The film was taken on by Channel 4 Random Acts, the channel’s strand for creative short films. 

Here Laura's fellow Young Leader, Dharyl, explains what it was like behind the scenes.

Laura, one of the Young Leaders at Science Gallery London saw herself responding to the exhibition’s theme of dark matter.

Dark matter must have provoked some thought and feeling to Laura, one which I’ve strongly empathised as part of an ethnic minority group, and one which I feel to treat with compassion.

For this reason, I would like to share a little bit of my experience as to how we produced a universal story that is linked to a very important subject, like Vera Rubin’s findings about the Universe in relation to dark matter.

To start with, Laura consulted with the Young Leaders on who would be best for this mission, deciding that Adeyemi Michael would be the film director.

After my first experience on a film set, I soon realised how much of physical work and verbal communication were essential to create a place that the Creative/Film Director had envisioned for this narrative.

Every single member of production was paying attention to detail in the visual elements of the place, while those managing the team developed their dialogue on the actor’s roles and position in the set.

Taking a break on set. Photo: Richard Dixon

This would come into fruition after Adeyemi’s approval, which led to me to question: When does a film become visually successful to communicate a message well enough?

In another room, familiarising themselves with each other, I could see the actors remembering the script with excitement.

It was a beautiful experience to see how Laura and her family members had come to support her and her message to the world on this special day.

Laura talking with her aunty, who you will be able to see in the film. Photo: Richard Dixon.

As one of her peers as a Young Leader, it was truly a joy to witness her accomplishment as an actress and Chemistry graduate. I thought I would directly ask her what she aimed to communicate with this film.

Laura says:

“Through conversations between Adeyemi and myself, a picture was built of my relationship with science and how its study emphasises our small place in a big universe. Adeyemi was interested in how I, being of black heritage, have had that shape my world view from birth to where I am now. Black women are all 'born into dark matter', that is to say, we are born into a world that views us differently because of the colour of our skin. It is not something tangible or even rational, yet it is there. But it is something that we grow to realise and draw strength and dignity from, from our parents and from the knowledge we gain from our communities. In a film that artistically explores one woman's journey from birth to waking fully formed in the world aware of her blackness, it was significant to have my family present to portray the power of ancestry, and the importance of celebrating our roots. The achievements of black women are all around us and are present throughout history, yet they are rarely ever seen or acknowledged, much like the nature of the elusive dark matter."

About the authors

Dharyl Usina  is a citizen of the world, originally from Ecuador, and previously living in Spain. Dharyl has a special talent in identifying global connections and universal language through design and aesthetics. He is interested in exploring migration through the lens of culture, such as his own identity and personal connections. Working with Science Gallery, Dharyl hopes to explore design and visual stimuli to support social inclusiveness between different people; creating universality

Laura-Joy Pieters is a recent UCL graduate (Chemistry MSc) and stage and film actress - passionate about the representation of science in the performing arts. Her specific interest lies in science fiction that questions where we came from and where we might be headed, unravelling the world’s greatest mysteries and telling stories from lesser heard voices. This includes works of Afrofuturism that allows herself and others a platform for their experiences.

This project was supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation.