Missouri Western 10th Annual Griffon Film Festival
The Missouri Western Cinematic Arts program requires all graduating students to create a thesis film. It’s a semester-long obligation where students spend months planning, filming and editing their projects. On April 25 and 26, Missouri Western gave these students a chance to premiere those thesis films with their annual Film Festival over at the Trail Theater in the heart of downtown St. Joseph.
Toby Lawrence, Associate Professor of Cinema, has been involved with the Film Festival for the last eight years. He remarks how the festival is imperative to students and their development.
“It’s a great time for the students,” said Larence. “That’s part of the reason we do it; to get to highlight and showcase their work and their efforts as they transition out into the professional world.”
At the Film Festival, the students are the stars — it’s only fitting they get treated as such. A red carpet was set up so the students could embrace their stardom upon arrival. Alongside was a backdrop for a photo-op, so their celebrity status can be cemented in film and not just in memory.
There were 11 total projects on display at the festival, seven of which were thesis films, while the remaining four were interstitials from the Griffon Film Society. It was a collaborative effort, as many of the students helped one another with their projects.
Luke Bowie, a sophomore cinema student, had a chance to star in Alienated, a thesis film directed by Rebecca Evans. He appreciates the chance to view the film after working on it for so long.
“It’s the same thing as turning in a really big project,” said Bowie. “You know, you put, like, hours and hours of effort into something, not myself as much as Rebecca, of course. But, you know, whenever I was acting in it, it felt like a lot of work, and then I didn’t really see a product until tonight. It was just beautiful to see all of that stuff, you know, come together.”
The projects were as varied as the senior students. One moment the audience is viewing a thrilling action film, while the next has them viewing a thought provoking documentary. This creative freedom allowed seniors to explore their passions and interests without having to worry about restrictions limiting their artistic vision.
Dr. David Sutera, Assistant Professor of Cinema, not only helped guide students through their final project, but assisted as an actor. He emphasized the quality of the production after seeing it from both sides of the teaching perspective.
“I’ve been a professor for about about 15 years, and this was probably some of the more professional operations on the set,” said Dr. Sutera. “They know how to get to the point and to be efficient on the set.”
Following the screening was an award ceremony. Acknowledgments were given to every facet of the production process, anywhere from Best Actor to Best Directing.
One of which was an MVP award given to Blake Elder. Along with directing his documentary, Leather Bound, he also worked heavily behind the scenes to set up the Film Festival.
“Some of you kinda call me the college dad,” said Elder after being awarded. “I’ve been around with you guys for four years now, and it’s been great, it’s been awesome; it’s more than I could’ve ever imagined. And I want to thank all the other cinema students for making all of this possible.
The festival wrapped up with a Q&A session where audience members could interact directly with the minds behind the projects. They learned about the inspiration for the projects and what led to the creative decisions.
The final thesis projects are the culmination of everything the senior students learned during their tenure at Missouri Western. The Film Festival marks the apex of their arduous journey through cinematography; they can glance back at the progress they’ve made, and then look beyond to see where their road will take them.
“We’re really proud of them, and wish them the best as they exit this school setting and go on to the professional world,” said Lawrence.
