School of Filmmaking to screen senior films on May 3
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ nationally ranked School of Filmmaking, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will present 13 short films by graduating seniors in free screenings on Friday, May 3. Screenings are from 3-5 and 8-10 p.m. in the Main Theatre of the ACE Exhibition Complex on the UNCSA campus at 1533 South Main St.
The films include eight narrative shorts and five animated films.
This is the first public screening of films made in 2018-19 by fourth-year college students. Featuring local casts and Triad locations, these capstone projects were created by student screenwriters, producers, directors, cinematographers, production designers, editors, sound designers, composers and animators who collaborate over the course of a full year or more. The films are the culmination of the students’ four years of study and the official start to their professional careers.
A selection of these films will be screened for members of the industry and film alumni on May 7 during the School of Filmmaking’s annual week-long trip to Los Angeles. Students tour facilities, meet with industry leaders and make contacts during their visit.
The May 3 screening will include:
“Alley Rats”
As Ralph tries to reconnect with his childhood best friend, Jay, the two are thrust into their town’s unforgiving nightlife, turning a night of parties, drugs and music into a frantic escape from reality. Written and directed by Sean Breitkreutz, produced by Tristian Blair and Jon Jenkins, cinematography by Mateo Davis, production design by Madison Harvey, edited by Terry Heinz, sound design by Maddie Hall, music by Marissa Johnson, costume design by Maggie Neal, wig and makeup design by Nathalie Eidt.
“Blue & Hues”
Blue and Hues are a tight-knit duo in thievery. When they set their sights on a powerful man with a diamond lodged in his eye, they start to question if this is the kind of life they really want. Directed by Jordan McLaughlin; written by McLaughlin, Brian Sheehan and Gabrielle Walden; produced by Nick Dardes; animated by McLaughlin and Hosanna Gourley; edited by Sheehan; sound design by Walden; music by Ryan Mulder and Walden.
“Cherry Lips”
“Cherry Lips” tells the story of Roya, a small-town girl aching to find her big-world dream. Every day seems the same to her; same job at the local diner, same people, same conversations. Her one link to anything outside her town's bubble is Dex, a musician who’s made sure to stop and see her anytime he’s in town. Dex is her ticket out, and lucky for her, Dex is coming back to town. Directed by Jean-Luc Swift, written by Swift and Tristian Blair, produced by Blair and Patricio Camara Rubio, cinematography by Nelson Malushizky, production design by Aliyah Ettwein and Shelby Grzech, edited by Andi Ralph, sound design by Ralph, costume design by Maggie Neal, music by Swift, wig and makeup design by Alana Spach.
"Daughters”
A teenage girl is forced to confront the realities of impending motherhood when she discovers that she is pregnant, and must reconcile with her own irresponsible mother. Directed by Grant Godbee, written by Sierra Cook, produced by Jon Jenkins and Nick Dardes, edited by Jacqueline Olivo, sound design by Olivo, cinematography by Malik Dowdy, production design by Jordan Sayman, costume design by Maria Alejandra Cortes, wig and makeup design by Valentine Barneycastle.
“Drapes the Clown”
A chronically unfunny guy takes on clowning to prove himself worthy of his detached ex-girlfriend. Directed by Nicholas Guy, written by Guy and Chris Stevens, produced by Emily Padgett, cinematography by Stacia Bohnert, production design by Scott Goldstein, edited by Mod Hall, sound design by Terry Heinz, music by Tim Carlos and Marissa Johnson, costume design by Maria Alejandra Cortes, wig and makeup design by Sylvana Gibson.
“Folding Fur”
In a small paper forest lived a small paper fox who loved playing with all the animals, no matter how they were folded. One day the fox spied someone he’d never seen before in the forest. For some reason, the fox can’t say “hi” without the new kid running away with his tail between his legs. The fox never had trouble making new friends before, but if he’s going to win over the new kid, then he’ll have to change his whole outlook! Written and directed by Keaton Sapp and Madison Williams, produced by Johnathan Cebula and John Hurley, cinematography by Chris Griggs.
“Helio’s Horizon”
When his homeland is threatened by an unforeseen force, a young sunflower must fight against all odds to save his village. Directed by Ibrahiim Luckett; written by Luckett and Gabrielle Johnson-Crawford; produced by Johnson-Crawford, Mac Haviland and Sierra Stewart Cook; edited by Evan Finch; sound design by Trace Collins and Finch; composed by Rahul Shah.
“Loser”
“Loser” follows the story of a young woman living with her boyfriend, struggling to make ends meet. While he is an addict she cannot seem to let go, she is ultimately left paying the bills and fending for herself. So when her boss shorts her on money, she takes matters into her own hands. Directed by Jeff Yabrow, written by Hayley Vinson, produced by Elliott Emfinger and Epiphany James, cinematography by Andrew Mirmanesh, production design by Kendra Archer, edited by Roxanna Peykamian, sound design by John Rizzi, music by Alex Umfleet, costume design by Keyon Woods, wig and makeup design by Alexis Sneed.
“Painted Love”
Stuck in her dreary job as a debt collector, an old-fashioned dreamer discovers a magical portal to a new world full of life and color. Directed by Michelle DeGrace, written by Ruby Scharf and Milena Saban, produced by Sam Varriale and Thatcher Johnson-Welden, cinematography by Scharf, production design by Emma Friedman, edited by Saban, sound design by Saban, music by Tim Carlos, costume design by Ashley Heller, wig and makeup design by Madison McLain.
“She Follows Close Behind”
A woman seeking closure questions an old man about an unsolved mystery from her past. Written and directed by Aidan Weaver, produced by Katie Sanderson, cinematography by Jared Freeman, production design by Riley Patterson, edited by John Machado, sound design by John Rizzi, music by Benjamin Miles, costume design by Keyon Woods, wig and makeup design by Melissa Marlowe.
“Solitude”
It is 1942. As casualties mount, an African American serviceman in WWII is forced into the co-pilot seat of a B-24 bomber for a raid over Germany. To fulfill his dream of flying in combat, he must say goodbye to the people who love him, and fight alongside those who think he is expendable. Directed by Navarre Megali, written by John Hurley and Ashley Miller, produced by Hurley and Billy Costello, cinematography by Chris Griggs, production design by Colin Palmer, edited by CJ Duncan, sound design by Andi Ralph, music by Tim Carlos, costume design by Ashley Heller, wig and makeup by Jonathan Amaro-Ramos.
“Warrior Princesses”
While trespassing through an ancient shrine, two elemental princesses find themselves face-to-face with their kingdom’s nemesis. Directed by Malory Pacheco, written by Parker Thompson and Logan Barrick, produced by Barrick, edited by Gage Welch, sound design by Jacqueline Olivo, music by Jen-Shuo Chen.
The screening of third-year student films will be from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 2, also
in the Main Theatre.
April 18, 2019