Student filmmakers at Wayne State College take on the big screen at Majestic Theatre on Feb. 10, to showcase their short films to the public for Student Film Premiere Night. Students range from sophomores with first ever short films to seniors celebrating their last films. Premiere night will be filled with various stories told through their eyes.
Student Film Premiere Night gives student filmmakers the opportunity to experience what it is like to have their film shown to the public eye. As film is a growing art form at WSC, it is important students are given the chance to showcase their progress.
Dr. Mike White, a professor in the Communication Arts Department and advisor to the Film Club, works as the executive producer of all student-made short films and oversees these projects until their completion. White is the main voice for advice or helping resolve a problem in the filmmaking process.
“Students learn to fail and recover in production,” White said. “Filmmaking is the constant resolution of problems.”
Three student short films will be highlighted at this year’s premiere night. Directors from all three films shared their experiences and what they look forward to going into the night.
Anja Oelofse, director of short film “Forgotten Motherland,” said her team had two main problems during production, scheduling and casting, but overcame these issues by doing more hours of work and reaching out to local sources for casting.
“I learned that having a solid crew of people who also believe in what you are trying to do makes a world of difference,” Oelofse said. “We were able to put into action what we learned in previous projects.”
Students Kaydence Cihacek and Madison Dvorak co-wrote and co-directed their film “Nothing to You”, a story of a high school senior navigating life and balancing her feelings, friends and religion.
“This film was inspired by my own experience in high school and the fears I had for what could possibly be,” Dvorak said.
They hope the film brings peace of mind to individuals experiencing the same struggles.
“We thought if we wrote a film based on her acceptance of her own identity, it would help others who have gone through similar experiences,” Cihacek said.
Kalis Swanson, a sophomore at WSC, found her passion for writing during the production of “The Drop Off.”
“This project cemented my goal of being a writer,” Swanson said. “I realized that I don’t love directing and production as much as I do writing and preproduction”
As filmmakers prepare for the premiere, the completion of their films outweigh anxieties.
“Any film that gets finished is a success. Getting through the initial talkbacks and interviews is what we are really looking for,” White said.
