Across campus, you might notice students trekking through the snow with heavy camera equipment or hunkering down to edit footage in the Black Family Visual Arts Center. To conclude their majors, seniors studying film and media studies must complete “a project related to their experience” in the department, according to the department website. Students can pursue a variety of options for their “culminating experience,” including animations, critiques, research, screenplays and short films.
The project’s application process begins in the spring of junior year, according to film & media studies major Annabel Everett ’25. Students can apply for a two-term project for the following winter and spring or an accelerated one-term course that can be completed in any term of their senior year. To apply, students first submit a pitch, summary, visual references and other relevant material for their proposed project to film and media studies department chair Roopika Risam and department administrator Erin Bennett.
After students submit their proposals, department faculty then begin a review process, according to the department website. If accepted to the two-term project, students must complete a rough cut or draft by the end of winter term and a final version for a screening at the end of spring term, according to Everett.
With the winter term in full swing, those who have chosen to create a short film are now in the midst of shooting. For her project, Everett is directing a short film inspired by Vanessa Veselka’s short essay “Highway of Lost Girls.”
Veselka writes about her experience as a hitchhiker trying to make her way through “a world dominated by men,” according to Everett. In one part, Veselka manages to escape from a man’s car, only to learn years later that he was charged as a serial killer. After reading the essay, Everett wanted to create a “fictional account” of Veselka’s tale.
Everett’s main character is given the chance to seek justice against the man who nearly kidnapped her in the past.
“Films now can reclaim experience,” Everett said.
Similarly, Sascha Agenor ’25 said their short film is allowing them to tell personal and important stories. Agenor’s film follows a queer friend group trying to get to a rave on New Year’s Eve.
“I wanted to showcase the life of queer college students,” Agenor said. “I haven’t seen a lot of what I’m making. I’m trying to show a juxtaposition between queer identities and rural places.”
Other students chose to make their short film in animation rather than live-action. Gabriel Modisett ’25 is making a 3D animated Alfred Hitchcock-inspired horror-comedy about a man who learns his pet cat is a “foreign operative.”
“I want to make something that plays with animation as a form and medium,” Modisett said.
According to Agenor, productions are highly collaborative, with many roles to fill. Oftentimes, senior filmmakers look to their fellow students and friends for help — from lighting to camera work.
“Everyone in the film department is very willing to help,” Agenor said. “I’m starring in people’s films. I’m on crew. I’m [serving as the director of photography for] a couple films as well, and vice versa. … There’s a lot of close relationships that have been built over the past few years that we can all depend on each other to be there for each other when we need stuff.”
Crew sizes are small — according to Agenor, typically four to six production helpers and two and four cast members contribute to each project. Everett said the small team sizes can create a close production.
“You get to know artistically what each other likes,” she explained “… [It] builds trust, working so close together.”
According to Agenor, each team member contributes their unique skills and talents to a project, adding a distinctive perspective that enriches the storytelling.
“I like letting [my actors] take ownership of their own characters,” they said. “[I instruct] them on certain beats to hit and plot points and things to say, but I very much let them interpret how they want to and let them bring these characters to life.”
After students complete their projects in the spring term, the film department puts on an event for students to present their work and answer audience questions, according to the department website. Everett described the showcase as “something people show up to” and “make a cool event.”
Agenor said they look forward to celebrating their peers’ talents.
“I’m just excited to showcase the talent and the wit of not only my friends, but people at this school that I feel are sometimes hidden [or] not as accepted,” Agenor said.
According to Modisett, the final showcase offers an opportunity to share the culmination of months of work.
“I plan to invite my friends and professors who have had an impact on my life,” Modisett said. “I can’t wait to have something to show people.”
Though the final date has not yet been released, the showcase typically occurs in May or June.
Gabriel Modisett ’25 is a cartoonist for The Dartmouth. He was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.
