I started Film Festival Club because I wanted to give students a place to make films of their own. I love pretty much every aspect of filmmaking, but one of my favorite parts is getting a group of people together who all want to make something. I wanted more opportunities for that at Saddleback.
One of my biggest inspirations is filmmaker Curry Barker. I originally found his comedy sketches online, which he made with his friends, and followed his work as he started making short films and eventually a feature length film that he dropped on Youtube. I got to see Obsession in theaters, and it was honestly one of those experiences that reminded me why I want to make movies in the first place. Seeing what someone could accomplish through independent filmmaking made the whole thing feel a lot more possible.
Before attending Saddleback, I spent my first year of college at the American University of Rome in Italy, where I joined their film club. I mostly acted in other students' projects, but I also got to know a lot of the people running the club. What I enjoyed most wasn't necessarily the finished films themselves, but the experience of making them with my friends. People who barely knew each other would come together to shoot something, learn as they went, and end up becoming close as a result. It was something I really wanted to bring back home with me. After returning to California, I spent some time at Irvine Valley College before transferring to Saddleback. I was drawn to Saddleback's film production program, and thought a club focused on making original projects from start to finish could be a great addition to what students were already learning in their course work.
Getting the club started has definitely been a learning experience. Between recruiting members, helping productions find cast and crew, figuring out equipment limitations, and organizing an actual film festival, there has been a lot more work involved than I originally expected. But that's also what makes it exciting, and why I care about it so much. Every meeting and production gets us a little closer to what I had in mind when I first started. My long term goal is to work professionally in the film industry, whether that's as a Director of Photography, Director, or Producer. I'd also love to organize a larger film festival someday. For now, I'm really just hoping this club gives other students a chance to meet people, try new things, and make films they're proud of. If we can get a bunch of students together, help them finish their projects, and give them the chance to premiere those films in a real theater, I think that's pretty special.
