UNCSA School of Filmmaking to feature third-year student films in “Shared World” project

“The project explored how ‘limitations’ open artists to infinite creative options,” said School of Filmmaking Dean Deborah LaVine. “This screening presents the school’s first Shared World project. It produced eight short films that demonstrate our students' boundless creativity and will offer our audience a peek at the method used to teach anthology storytelling.”

The films will be screened at 7 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Main Theatre of the ACE Exhibition Complex of the Studio Village on the UNCSA campus, 1533 S. Main Street. Tickets are free with registration online. 

The program will include:

• “Bargain Mart,” an animated film about two drifting friends who explore an abandoned convenience store that’s turned into a local legend. It is here they find trouble much bigger than their friendship issues. The film was written and directed by Jamie Marano, produced by Joey Harmon, animated by Alex Bradshaw and Sophia Dula with backgrounds by Xavier Marez, edited by Cheyenne Oxendine with sound design by Gavin Smith and music by Sterling Tilley.
• “Nebula,” an animated film about an underdog who finds hidden strength in the commercialized world of blood sports. The project was written and directed by Cameron Panone and directed by Matthew Zhang; produced by Cassidy Scott; with lead animation by Panone; lead backgrounds by Hue Zhang; sound design by Cameron Wofford; and animation by Yana Glabuchek, Hue Zhang and Benrey Villanueva.
• “Together,” an animated film about a grieving mother and son who race against a raging fire engulfing their village, their forest and their lives. This film was written and directed by Destiny DeJames and Jillian Dengate; animated by DeJames, Dengate, Sincere Bethea, Elizabeth Coley, Austin Wyczawski and Jo Knorpp; with sound design by Matthew Valledor Cruz; and music by Hannah Mufuka.
• “The Legend of Midnight," an animated film.
• “Appointed,” is a narrative film about a dystopian court case in which a single-appointed juror must choose one of two suspects to sentence to death. The project was written by Ella Meteney and Marlon Whigham, directed by Whigham, produced by Emma Czoty, with cinematography by Tucker Smith, editing by Ashley Luckadoo and production design by Thomas Day.
• “Next Stop,” is a narrative film about a woman named Amelia who must come to terms with newfound responsibly when she realizes her father, Bernie, needs more care than she thought. The project was written by Clay Laplante, directed by Caleb Jordan, produced by Alexia Forsythe, with cinematography by Liz Guenther, editing by Cheyenne Oxendine, production design by Annalise McCoy, and hair and makeup design by Abbey Maruyama.
• “Folly” is a narrative film about a clown who embarks on a journey to “Nowhere Land” and finds himself mirroring the past. As the clown ruminates on his childhood, he meets a younger clown and has to decide what his future will be. This film was written by Nathan Lathroum, directed by Willie Dixon, produced by Alejandro Lucas Fritts, with cinematography by Eva McKeon, production design by James Rice, editing by Zoe Dion, sound editing by Kat Schaer, music by Lucy Moreno, costume design by Maya Mills and Lillian Bradford, and hair and makeup design by Faith Gilbert.
• “Impasse” is narrative film about Dani, a young, headstrong intellectual who is assisted by a deity in order to let go of her life’s dedication and pass on to the afterlife. The film was written by Emma Chandler, directed by Emily Doran, produced by Ashley Binger, with cinematography by Stewart Jeffers, production design by Mayra Noemi Coronilla Campos, editing and sound supervision by Cameron Wofford, music by Flint Steppenrock and Dmitri Hunter, costume design by Chandler, and hair and makeup design by Dustin Kirby.
• “Led To Slaughter” is a narrative film about Celia, who works at a meat factory in a dystopian future. After receiving a life-changing promotion, she discovers the truth that has shaped her world. The film was written by Gabriela Fisher, directed by Conor Lawler, produced by Joshua Robinson, with cinematography by Soren Candel, editing by Gavin Smith, production design by Lana Farr, and hair and makeup design by KC Paulson.
• “Lovesong” is about a musician new to the post-punk scene in 1970s Manchester who loses herself through loving a jaded lead singer for all the wrong reasons. She must face pain and loss in order to feel confident on her own again and impact people with her music. The narrative film was written by Priscilla Witt, directed by Camilla Zaidee Benett, produced by Conner Nyberg, with cinematography by Michael Staley, editing and sound design by Madison Lee Morris, production design by Tim Shibles, costume design by Erika Sharp, hair and makeup design by Madison Skinner, and music by Nyberg.
• “Pretenders” is about a father who has recently lost his son. He boards a train and encounters a malevolent copy of himself, who reveals chilling details of his son's passing. He soon finds himself in a psychological chess match for his own survival. This narrative film was written by Chandler Mitchell and Aidan Kinser, directed by Kinser, produced by Nidhi Mundra, with cinematography by Kenzie Arters, editing by Emma Groce, production design by Lucas Becker, with hair and makeup design by Kendall Brumley.
• “The Chaperone” is a narrative film about two discontented women who accompany one another on their travel and become more than strangers. This film was written by Emma Chandler and Priscilla Witt, directed by Mary Louis Renegar, produced by Cassidy Scott, with cinematography by Joshua Campbell, editing by Mathew Valledor Cruz, production design by Leela Hoerschelmann, and hair and makeup design by Jade Soto.

The screening will last approximately two hours.

About the School of Filmmaking

Consistently recognized as among the nation’s best training programs for filmmakers, the School of Filmmaking has produced some of today’s most creative storytellers.

The award-winning faculty have decades of real-world experience and a passion for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in concentrations that include animation, cinematography, directing, film music composition, picture editing and sound design, producing, production design and visual effects, and screenwriting. Students are able to develop individualized portfolios through collaborations with other students from different disciplines which enables them to learn industry standards and protocol and practice their craft on state-of-the-art sound stages and studios with professional equipment. Through the curriculum, faculty and staff are able to connect students with visiting guest artists and gain exclusive access to never-before-seen films, shows and scripts. The film school’s Media + Emerging Technology Lab (METL) is dedicated to the exploration and production of immersive storytelling content. Students have the added benefit of annual trips to Los Angeles and New York City to connect with industry professionals. The film school also maintains partnerships with the RiverRun International Film Festival in Winston-Salem and the Sundance Film Festival.

Notable alumni from the School of Filmmaking include Vera Herbert (“This is Us,” “Don’t Make Me Go”); Danny McBride (“The Righteous Gemstones,” “Eastbound & Down”); David Gordon Green (the “Exorcist” and “Halloween” franchises, “Manglehorn”); Zach Seivers (“Nomadland,” “Raymond & Ray”); Brett Haley (“Hearts Beat Loud,” “The Hero”); Rebecca Green (“It Follows,” “I’ll See You in My Dreams”); Jody Hill (“The Righteous Gemstones,” “Vice Principals”); Jeff Nichols (“The Bikeriders,” “Loving”); Martha Stephens (“To the Stars”); Aaron Katz (“Land Ho!” “Gemini”); Kaitlyn Ali (“Queen & Slim,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7”); Tim Orr (“Raising Victor Vargas,” “Joe”); Will Files (“The Batman,” “Stranger Things”); and Zoë White (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Westworld”).

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