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OUTCOMES MATTER – CCSU FILM STUDENTS AND ALUMNI PRODUCE FOR THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT

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Prior to the pandemic, several members of CCSU’s production faculty ran a pilot program in studio production.  Collaborating with Josh Therriault, an ESPN production artist and former CCSU Film graduate,  we developed a comprehensive studio curriculum, collaborated with industry artists and developed the most advanced productions and curriculum ever seen within CCSU’s studo.   

The new curriculum not only engaged CCSU film alumni, (as studio-mentors), but the changes also created a well-trained production team, which has been achieving unprecedented success ever since. 

From producing national segments for ESPN to developing award-winning films at festivals, the team also collaborated with grammy award winning artist, Pharoahe Monch to create his latest music video.  That production even inspired a Rolling Stone feature.   
 
While such accomplishments might seem unlikely at a state university, ensuring high standards, qualified instructors and student/alumni success, is the job.
 
In this latest milestone, CCSU’s pilot program alumni and students recently filmed, th1rt3en, which aired on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
 
Unfortunately, uplifting standards at a state university can be a dangerous path….and filled with backlash.
 
Even as the student achievements continue, the pilot program was illogically discontinued.   These administrative actions cut off CCSU’s engaged alumni-mentors, as our industry-collaborators were thanklessly let go.  Welcome to innovation within production at CCSU.  
 
Even more absurd, the university intends to spend additional state funds on an external evaluator for future production recommendations.  Perhaps successful production curriculums are not a good fit at CCSU.  On this end, producing such outcomes and student-skills,  is our job… and we have a long history of success…
 
In the meantime,  thank you to Josh Therriault, Rashad Frett, Arianna Thibodeau, Ricky Hamilton, Matt Kevorkian, Courtney Rush and David Rawolle – 
your work and national accomplishments are as inspirational and hopeful as it gets!
 
Posted by Jeff Teitler – Professor – CCSU FILM
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United States Congressional Black Caucus Awards Scholarship to CCSU Film Student

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Unapologetically, Filmmaking deals with human issues, characters and conditions.   It is a complicated educational process, requiring technical, aesthetic and directorial instruction.

With an industry-endorsed curriculum and unprecedented student-outcomes, last year, politics and university power-plays engaged in an all-out assault on film education, workforce collaboration and academic freedom.  These actions illogically hurt our students, diminished their curriculum, tossed out alumni-volunteers  and cancelled our film mentorship programs.   (We will have much to say and film about this in the future.).  

But fighting for student-excellence has its rewards.  Today, we are so pleased to announce another CCSU Film student milestone.  After completing her second Film class, Mya S. Gray has been awarded a prestigious UNITED STATES CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS SCHOLARSHIP – 20/21.    The scholarship is awarded to students who show “exemplarity potential or mastery of a visual art.” 

These are the outcomes we fight for.   They are achievable by all students, when proper processes, standards and qualified instructors are in-place. 

 

IN HER OWN WORDS – FILM STUDENT, MYA SAREE’ GRAY

From a short film created in only my second film class, I ended up with a scholarship, the beginning of my skill and an experience that changed my life forever.

While I was taking my first film class at CCSU, I became pregnant.   At that time, I also started getting hooked on filmmaking. I actually doubled up and produced two final projects in that first film class.   As my pregnancy continued in my second film class, we learned new cameras, techniques and broadened our story telling abilities.  It was challenging and I was pushed hard.   

As a new filmmaker, I believe life’s experiences can fuel the creative process. I decided to create a story about the intimacy between a couple approaching the birth of their first child.    I filmed and developed the same scenes twice a week for the entire 17-week semester.  I filmed right up until the week I gave birth.

I practiced character motivations, lighting and camera control while being regularly mentored on improvements in my filmmaking.   

In only two semesters, I developed an amazing result.  So much so, the film I created won a visual arts scholarship from the United States Congressional Black Caucus for Fall 2020-Spring 2021   The experience and film education changed my life.

Blog by Mya S. Gray 

Introduction by Professor Jeffrey Teitler

 

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CCSU Film Graduate is A Recipient of Spike Lee’s Production Fund.

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Within film instruction, there are times of doubt…and the easiest thing to do is give up…but don’t!  When your ideas are realized, the possibilities are predictable and endless!   

We are pleased to announce that CCSU Film Graduate, Rashad Frett is a selected recipient of Spike Lee’s Production Fund.   Frett, who graduated from CCSU’s Film program in 2009, has since been accepted to NYU’s prestigious MFA program in Film at Tisch School of the Arts.  His work has been seen in national and international film festivals.

We are extraordinarily proud of Rashad and all others who continue to pursue their passions, advance skills and tenaciously tell meaningful stories.   Never give up!

Link to release

posted by Jeff Teitler

Professor, Filmmaking, Central Connecticut State University

 

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CCSU Film Student – An Official Selection In NYC

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The Digital Filmmaking Program at Central Connecticut State University is pleased to present, Matt Kevorkian’s MIDNIGHTS AT THE DINER.   This short film was developed in Kevorkian’s senior year at CCSU and was an Official Selection within the New Filmmakers, NY Film Festival, 2018.

MIDNIGHTS AT THE DINER – Directed by Matt Kevorkian, Featuring Zach Fontanez, Amber Marie Martinez, Anthony Rivera and Gerson Daniel Echevarria.  Shot on location at the Athenian Diner in, Middletown, Connecticut

For a musician, every sound can be a symphony.

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Posted by Jeffrey Teitler, Associate Professor, Central Connecticut State University