Film Research Assistant: A EUReCA! Work Study 

Presenter(s)

Abby Pellien

Abstract or Description

Filmmaking is a process which involves synthesizing a product alongside others, going towards the same ultimate goal - a film that tells a story. Hopefully, it can be more than that, though, and that is what I learned throughout my Eureka! work study program this semester. As I got to know some of the ins and outs of the industry, I started to really enjoy being on long shooting days that would take 12 hours, strangely enough. It feels like you have a family around you and it doesn't have to be mundane or exhausting as long as you bring a positive mindset onto the shoot. Experience is something extremely important for young filmmakers, and it is also something many of them don't take advantage of opportunities because the work is too hard or they aren't getting paid, etc. I see free experience as something equally as valuable as getting paid because it will form connections with people in the industry. Essentially, you have to plant a seed everywhere you go as a filmmaker, and Eric Jewett really helped me understand that, encouraging me to look for more opportunities everywhere I go.

Other things I did for the class were:

-Shot behind the scenes footage and photos

-Created an instagram for the film (@180degreesucdfilm)

-Helped prepare screenings for lectures first and second semester

-Set up zoom calls on campus for performances

-Recorded student scene performances

-Editing