A film production/studio art senior, is taking a stab at creating her first horror film.
Kyla Bruegel is planning the horrific film as the capstone project that will finish out her film production degree. This is her second capstone at the university, her first being for her studio art degree last semester.
“I have to direct and write a short film,” Bruegel said. “It’s been a really long process, casting it and finding a crew. But it’s been really fun.”
It is Bruegel’s first directing piece.
“I’ve worked on a lot,” she said. “Every year, I work on the other seniors’ capstones, where I worked on production design mostly. I’ve also done some sound work, but this is my first time actually directing.”
Bruegel said she is casting her piece and will begin production in March. The film lengths vary from 10 to 20 minutes.
“I would describe it as cosmic horror, like along the lines of H. P. Lovecraft,” she said. “The core of the story is that it’s this friendship between these two girls who find out they have alien creatures living in their brain.”
Bruegel often takes inspiration from her favorite film director, Guillermo del Toro.
“He just seems like a warm and kind person, and he loves horror,” she said. “I’ve read some essays he’s written, and he’s just so passionate about his work, and that rubs off on me.”
Bruegel said the film department is trying to get Tower Theatre, 425 N.W. 23rd St., or Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., to show the seniors’ work at the end of the semester.
“The professors are talking to local theaters to try and get them to show our films, and that would be amazing,” Bruegel said.
The screenings are open for everyone to watch, and professors will interview the directors and give feedback after the presentations.
In addition to completing her film production capstone, Bruegel will intern at the Cannes Film Festival in France for two weeks this May.
“I’m hoping I go and meet a lot of people,” she said. “I do speak a little French, too, so it will be a lot of fun.”
Bruegel said the film department at OCU has undergone massive changes in her time on campus, thanks to Bryan Cardinale-Powell, associate professor and chairman of film, and Billy Palumbo, visiting assistant professor of film.
“Bryan has been here the four years that I’ve been here, and sophomore year he took over the department. I admire so much what he did because he’s really building the program up,” she said. “Billy is a new professor who was hired my junior year. I think he’s brought something new to the table and has a really fun personality and connects well with the students. Those two are a power team.”
Cardinale-Powell said Bruegel is driven and successful.
“Kyla’s always been a thoughtful part of the film department,” Cardinale-Powell said. “I particularly admire how hard she’s working this year, completing not one but two capstone projects, one for art and one for film. Not many students can keep up the energy necessary to be successful with that kind of double major, but Kyla does it without missing a beat.”
Bruegel said her busy senior schedule makes it difficult to make time for friends.
“Senior year has been the busiest year by far, but my friends are still important to me,” she said. “But the great thing about film is that it’s collaborative. A lot of my friends are working on my film, which is nice because we’re technically doing work, but still having fun.”B
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