At noon on Friday, film students in the School of Theatre, Film and Television will take the first step toward producing the biggest project of their college careers.
The Tornabene Theatre will host the 2014 senior class of film students as they pitch their senior thesis film projects in their annual cast and crew mixer. The idea behind the mixer on Friday is to get the word out about the projects, as well as to find people interested in acting, producing or serving as crew members on each project, said film senior Andrew Katsinas. Any form of participation, including providing food, is appreciated, he added.
Fourteen projects are slated to be screened at “I Dream in Widescreen” in May, when the result of the students’ hard work can be viewed. The film seniors will represent many different styles and genres, and each project has a different feel stemming from the desire of the director, said film senior Jenna Saville.
The seniors spend two and a half years in the program preparing for the nearly year-long production process.
Although not all of the students are directing a film, all will be involved in production, Katsinas said.
Among those presenting is film senior Cynthia Koiki, who will presenting her film “Ana’s Wedding.” The film will follow a bride who reconsiders her marriage after slipping into a mysterious world where she is forced to confront her past. Koiki said she has been developing the idea since June and, like the other students, has put her script through a strict revising process.
Shooting for the senior thesis films begins in October and continues until they make their debut at the Fox Tucson Theatre in May, according to Koiki.
“There are lots of diverse films this year,” she said.
“Everything is unique; it’s very exciting.”
Students who are interested in the production process or acting will have the chance to meet the film students at the mixer, Koiki said. Anyone who likes film is welcome to attend.
“If you have a passion and want to be a part of something, then you should check this out,” Saville said.
The senior thesis is often the first time film students have the freedom to work on a project that is entirely their creation, and many of the students will use the opportunity to delve into the genre they wish to pursue in the future. The films represent the pinnacle of everything the students have learned and what they’ve been waiting for, said film senior Alexis Preston, adding that she looks forward to the steps that come after Friday’s presentation.
“The best part of this process will be looking at the footage for the first time,” she said. “The final day of shooting will be a relief after finally getting the shots we need.”
