Film students are being thrust into the waters this semester, as the completion of their capstones is a sort of “’sink or swim’ moment” according to BFA Film Production Major, Connor Newman.
Film majors are expected to complete a film, taking up the entirety of their senior year. The first semester is mainly dedicated to the writing and shooting process, while the second is dedicated to the editing process.
“Each student writes and directs their own project. They lead their crew, work with actors, edit, and determine the logistical and creative aspects of the production,” film professor Billy Palumbo said.
With projects of this caliber, Palumbo advises students that “Persistence is key to the process.” Students are expected to apply what they’ve learned throughout their years in film classes. At the same time, the students are expected to apply artistic liberties.
The process, according to Connor Newman, has “countless moving parts.” The film student capstones are an outlet for students to express their own experiences, ideas, and creative outlooks.
Film student Joshua Eliot says that he took his capstone as an opportunity to create a reflection of his philosophy.
“I like to view my films as an outlet for me to try and make sense of the world, and as a gay Christian, I’ve struggled a lot with my belief in the church, so I wanted to make this film to try and dissect those feelings,” Eliot said.
Joshua did just that. His film is centered around a couple, Tommy and Dustin, who are conflicted about whether to baptize their child.
Throughout this conflict, Joshua’s characters are challenged to overcome their ignorant bliss on how they view the church and their families.
By using this year-long project to create an artistic representation of a combination of his own ideas and struggles, Joshua has been able to express himself and prepare for a career after college.
By simply completing this capstone project, Palumbo says that students are well equipped for the world outside of college. This is because students will be able to share their films with employers.
Newman adds to this, saying that film student capstones allow students to become familiar with the filmmaking process, giving them the experience needed to step foot in the outside world.
Creating a film capstone is something of a necessary challenge for film students. This vital “sink or swim” moment entails a few difficulties along the way.
Eliot encountered a major bump in the road when it came to casting one of his characters. Eliot says he “put a lot of time and effort into casting a baby and figuring out the logistics of how it was going to work,” only to have the baby come down with sickness right before the shooting was scheduled to start.
This setback caused Eliot to scramble to find another baby fit for the role. His efforts proved successful, and the challenge that he overcame better prepared him for the unforeseen obstacles that arise in the filmmaking world.
This semester these students will be faced with a new challenge: choosing which footage to keep and which to cut. This process may cause some film students to feel as if they are being forced to choose their favorite child. However, it gives them a taste of the film industry they will be entering.
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