Connecticut Film Student

While the majority of Film students at Central Connecticut State University focus on narrative and documentary filmmaking, there are other areas of production, which also lead to impressive outcomes.   In Colleen Lennehan’s case, it was a New York Times publication – an honor given to selected photographers, who are screened by the paper’s Wedding Section. 

A recent graduate of CCSU, Colleen struggled with just about every aspect of the production process.  Though multiple films were conceived with zeal, she never allowed herself to perfect a single one.  Needless to say, it was an odd choice when she enrolled in an Independent Film class during her final semester….and that’s when things changed.

COLLEEN:

For the majority of my time at CCSU, I was a Journalism major. I spent hours writing and editing articles about current events and ethics within journalism… but photography was my passion. Naturally, I also took Filmmaking courses in the Communication Department.

While Filmmaking widened my ability to capture beauty, the exercises were not easy. Initially, we were assigned to explore themes of our interest through photography.  Since the exercise was content-based, there were no aesthetic or technical requirements.  I struggled with that.  A lot!

As the course progressed, I spent hours working with light.  I used my family as models and felt like a complete fool.   With increasing complications, the combination of exploring ideas, characters and behaviors with cinematic technique, light and critical thought was frustrating.  But, I continued.  I shot sporadically, brought in a bad mood consistently and never gave up….neither did the class.

Eventually, I became interested in filming on the theme of, “ bliss.”   I began to apply cinematic technique, practiced and slowly, my ability to capture more meaningful and candid moments improved.  These courses opened my creative side, by challenging my critical, aesthetic and technical sides…but it’s a process…and that process ultimately lead to my photography business today.  As for my advice: Don’t let the aggravation of failure stop you from pursuing what you love.  In every defeat, if you continue, you will find progress.

Since graduating only 2 years ago, Colleen has built her own wedding and photography business. Recently, her work was published in the New York Times.   Colleen’s business has been steadily growing and the idea of “Bliss” remains her area of interest.

For additional information on Colleen’s work:
www.colleenannelennehan.com,  Facebook Colleen Anne Lennehan,
@colleenlennehan.

Posted by Jeff Teitler, Associate Professor, Department of Communication – Central Connecticut State University.

First-year Film Student, Matt Kevorkian is also an independent musician.   After posting his work to ITunes, a solutionless dilemma occurred…until he took film.   In his own words, this is Matt’s story

I have been playing guitar since I was seven years old.  After 14 years of hard training, my band, The Not Mikes released our debut album. We’ve toured all across the East Coast and it’s been a dream come true.

Wanting our work to reach as many people as possible, we sold our souls for rock n roll and uploaded our music to iTunes. We signed the Apple contract to reach a whole new audience and were promised royalty checks every month if our album was bought.   That’s when something amazing happened.   Hundreds of people bought the album and on the site where bands can monitor the progress, our royalty money was rising. However, three months went by and we never received a check.  In fact, every time I called, I was given the same answer. “The checks will be mailed soon. We are behind.”  After a year of several inquires and no resolution, I felt bullied and beat.  That feeling never left.

            3 years later, I took a Film course at CCSU (Comm 228).   While I didn’t take it seriously at first, it wasn’t long before I realized how powerful it could be.  In fact, in one semester, I practiced and filmed repeatedly.  Slowly and through critique and guidance, I corrected many mistakes and improved.   Using my own experiences, I wanted my first film to represent independent artists.   After hearing a commercial ITunes created, I wanted to fight back, while also empowering others who have been through this.

            My first film, “You Can Do Better” called on Apple to do the right thing.  After the film was created, I shared it on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and made connections with musicians all across the East Coast, only to find out that they had similar experiences.  After 3 years of fighting to get the money my band had earned, I am proud to say that my band  finally received the first of many royalty checks from iTunes.  Apple did the right thing.

            My advice for those who are thinking about taking film, know there will be times where you will want to quit… but don’t!  Stay hungry and passionate.  Dedicate yourself and you never know what your film can do, or who it can empower.

Written by 1st year Film Student, Matt Kevorkian.    Matt’s Music can be heard on iTunes and other sources.  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/electric-schmucks/id881732221

Posted by Jeff Teitler – Associate Professor – Department of Communication – Film Emphasis