The first FilmFest interest meeting of this year is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Thursday in the Campus Center basement.
The FilmFest leadership team also plans to be available in the Campus Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday to answer questions for students who aren’t able to make the meeting. Any students interested in participating in FilmFest are welcome to attend the meeting, and the theme for this year should be announced at the meeting, said Hailey Hendricks, senior multimedia major from Troy.
“Participation in FilmFest is in no way limited to certain departments,” Hendricks said. “We encourage anyone who is interested in telling stories to come. Students who aren’t interested in filming or acting might be interested in being a producer, scriptwriter, composing music or directing.”
The meeting will explain FilmFest and the different roles involved in the filmmaking process. A sign-up sheet for students will also be available for anyone who wants to receive more information, and to help students make teams if they don’t have connections with people of different skill sets.
“Students interested in the film and entertainment industry should be part of the FilmFest process because it gives them direct access and feedback from people already in the industry,” said Tom Craig, director of student activities and productions. “By getting to know the judges and having them critique your work, you could get a foot in the door. We have had students participating in FilmFest who have landed internships with some of our judges.”
The FilmFest gala will be April 1 at the Paramount Theatre downtown, which is later than usual, but the films will still be due the Monday after spring break, March 21.
“FilmFest gives students excellent opportunities to collaborate with each other to tell beautiful stories,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks also said the FilmFest team is going to host alumnus Randy Brewer (’91) of Revolution Pictures on campus Nov. 17 so he can work with students and their submissions. Brewer is best known for creating music videos for Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson, among others, and has been involved in FilmFest for several years.
