By: Caitlin Brogan
November started the Media Arts Academy’s most anticipated films: the Senior Thesis. These films are what every academy student looks forward to since freshman year. It’s their final film in the academy and it’s guaranteed to be shown at Showcase. Seniors work all of second semester to make these films, trying as hard as they possibly can to make it a great one talked about in following years. Production is almost over and one of these in progress films is called Pieces of Me.
The production process has been laborious for the group of seniors working on it.
“Bumpy” is exactly the word Shelby Bostai, the group’s Art Director used to describe the process. She also expressed that this process has allowed them to “all come together, and we put our minds together.”
Although the filming process has been stressful, a lot has been done so far. What has made it so stressful is scheduling conflicts, with so many people working on a project that requires such a huge chunk of time out of the day. It’s difficult to pick days and times that work for everyone. Going into that, locations are also difficult to not only find, but get permission to record at and when you’re going to be allowed to be there. Another thing is actors, they’re not easy to find, especially when you need them for a film as intense as Pieces of Me.
Co-director, Caleb Lickey, explained that scheduling has really been one of the main challenges “not only because of the actors’ availability but also because of the availability of our fellow teammates.”
However a key factor that’s made filming so much easier is the actors. They’re doing a great job. The group’s Grip, Asiah Koupal, explains that “they each bring a good strong sense of character with them on
set.”
Luckily, the locations that are being used are pretty flexible. One has been built by the crew right here at school, another allows filming almost every day except two days of the week and usually has someone able to unlock the building. The third location that’s been used so far allows for filming pretty much any day needed.
All things considered many of the crew have said that the production has been going pretty well. This production has been long awaited for most of the crew for the past four years and they really want to show off how much they’ve learned in the academy by making a great film they can be proud of.
Cinematographer of the film, Alejandro Jimenez, described that the “argument scene” is looking “super good” and it also “sounds so good right now”. He seemed excited. It will be shown at the Media Arts Showcase.
We urge that everyone go watch these films on May 29th at the Fox Theater downtown because these seniors have been working really hard these past months, putting their all into their films. These films have been long awaited for the seniors in the academy and Media Arts would be grateful for anyone that comes and shows their support.