Students in the communication department create short films for class and the campus.
Houston Bass, a junior digital media major, along with classmates in Advanced Video Production works on a sci-fi mystery short available for viewing on YouTube once completed.
The group originally set out to produce a romantic comedy by classmate Garrison Griffith, a senior communication studies major, using friends and fellow students to make up the cast. After time restraints and lack of cast, Bass wrote the second script for “The Box.”
The film centers on Mike an average college student that finds a box along with a letter addressed to him. As he accepts the box, his life is turned upside down. Chased by people who want the box, people he knows aren’t who they see, and essentially the “average” guy that he is, is challenged and he has to make a decision to change that or just go back to his normal life.
“Hopefully we can keep the mystery surrounding the box a secret throughout the film and keep the audience entertained,” Bass said.
Throughout the challenges this group faced, they have created and coped to produce a great final project. Professor John Rodriguez initially assigned the class to make a movie trailer, and they knew they could handle a bigger task.
When the film wraps, it is time to edit. On that side of the spectrum is Karl Wiggers, a sophomore digital media major. He, along with other classmates, works to design credits for the ending and print design for “The Box.”
“I’m involved on both editing and filming, but most of my work is done after the cameras stop rolling,” Wiggers said.
The great thing about production classes at ULM is that students are involved in the entire process. The students working on “The Box” filmed, edited and even acted to complete the project.
Bass plays the starring role of “Mike.” Lincoln Powell, a senior mass communication major, plays supporting role “Tim.” The other students play enemies of “Mike” or extras. The class is even getting support from other communication faculty. Mara Loeb is featured in the opening scenes playing a character she dons daily, a professor. Loeb is an associate professor of communication.
After script changes and casting themselves in this short, one can definitely say they are up for any challenge. Other students involved in this project are Alan Donald, Alan Pittman and Chelsea Klump.
As the semester comes to a close, the class will end, but their film will finally be audience ready. YouTube gives their short a chance to be seen by students and other film fanatics alike.
