Everything has its beginnings. Whatever our particular passion might be, it has to start with those initial phases of researching and learning about as many of the potential facets of what we are choosing to pursue as possible, through as many varied or focused mediums, in order that once we make that step to put the figurative hand to the plow, we are PREPARED to do so. Now, as with any new journey, even the most astute and knowledgeable people will quickly discover that it is one thing to KNOW what we’re endeavoring towards and another to actually EXECUTE one’s intended vision, pushing into it with fervor and desire, but also confronting the obstacles that arise, overcoming them, and ultimately coming out the other side with what one HOPES is the ideally anticipated results the efforts have all been for. Basically, it generally isn’t EVER an easy road, and hence, requires dedication, fortitude, and a degree of self-belief paired with confidence in ability to carry it all forward.
Not everyone ends up having this complete package, regardless of the industry we’ve aimed for. But, for this critic, attending the 2024 Big Lens Student Showcase, brought about for its 36th edition by Wright State University on behalf of their Motion Picture students Thursday evening April 25th at The Neon in Dayton, OH, one thing was highly evident to me–the next generation of filmmakers is not only alive and well, but honestly, wholeheartedly, and with complete adeptness in possession of ALL the qualities and attributes mentioned above. Let’s also understand that in saying this, were there elements in certain projects that had room for improvement? Yes. Were all the films in and of themselves equally engaging for me? No. However, what stuck out to me the most when it comes down to it is that EACH EFFORT provided TWO key factors that are PARAMOUNT for what I personally consider the primary marks of successful filmmaking, especially in classifying them amidst the independent cinema community they currently reside within–substance founded on STORY and CHARACTER-based development. Period.
These two aspects unequivocally drive quality films, and it is a process that requires absolute commitment by the creators to make manifest illustrations of their own individual heart, resolve, artistry, objectives, messages, and concerns for making manifest the most distinct impressions they can in the final product we as viewers witness. I feel more than assured when I state this WAS evident IN all the films we were privy to. The SOLD OUT (BRAVO, all!!) event provided its audience opportunity to take in the total of eight short films chosen, which ranged in from 15-30 minutes in length per requisite parameters, representing seven different directors, and a nicely varied (plus quite eccentric!) mix of styles, themes, and genres, allowing us to relish these young artist’s scope of influences along with being able to likewise appreciate the newly forming and growing magnitude of writing, editing, music scoring, producing, and acting talents Wright State’s Motion Picture program is grooming as well.
Comedy ruled the evening as a whole, with literally half the projects leaning directly into that path, but with enough diversity to let them all stand strongly in their own identity. Director Zac Basket took us on a candid, zany romp that encompassed family legacy, revealed secrets, ideas of destiny, warring cousins, seriously outspoken fathers, and some unknown-until-now styles of kung-fu through his 20-minute film “Danny Tucker: Kung-Fu Master”. Comic books, curses, a ghost in need of redemption, true friendships, and paranormal investigation all get explored in wittily uncomplicated form through director Rob Bicknell’s 17-minute “Un-Condemned” (baby!! Watch the film, folks. You’ll see!). Organized religion, their tactics to convert new acolytes and the hypocrisy that can come about gets an utterly hysterical treatment through writer/director Trevor Seech-Hrvatin’s 16-minute “Raymond vs. The Mormons” that sees one man’s intent to propose to a longstanding (perhaps long-suffering!) girlfriend severely upended by unwelcome (and VERY persistent!!) “guests”, with ensuing hijinks that none of us saw coming. THIS was my favorite of the event by the by.
Then, there was Seech-Hrvatin’s second project showcased, the 30-minute “Road To Mimosaville”, that deftly and comedically took us on a sometimes absurd but fully entertaining trip in tribute to Jimmy Buffet through a group of best friends who, distraught that their favorite restaurant is closing, head on the road to pay it a last visit, complete with somewhat familiar (retooled!) classic songs, fanboy fever, friendship, a gorilla, and an appearance by Jerry Buffet himself! Yes, JERRY. But, humor was’t the only thing on the menu, as we ventured into deeply impactful, dramatic studies of our human nature and the struggles in perspectives when encountering the adversities we do, first through writer/director Grace Loechinger’s 17-minute “Good Grief” that puts a emotionally engaging, dynamically stirring focus on precisely what it IS to grieve a loss, its stormy consequences within us, but that NO ONE goes through it the same, while also indicating that we simply NEED each other for support. Writer/director Alex Bunsold’s 15-minute “A Circle of Spirals” puts a pointed and darkly poignant spin on how we experience our own moments of demoralization–and then find how many others are ALSO facing it as well, leading him to further ponder his own choices.
One of the most definitively covered genres in film made an appearance through writer/director Mason Perry’s 18-minute film “The American Spirit” which sees two mobsters who make the mistake of becoming involved with a Russian drug lord’s business and the chaos that follows it, delivered with the exact style of rawness we’d predict, which still manages to address the concept of the American Dream, how we pursue it–or ruin it. And, at least this critic believes, no film event should be complete without at least one foray into what is often the most effective and most inspirational types of thematic adventure the big screen can provide–REAL LIFE. This is what we got in fully emotive and passionate format thanks to director Cayden Whitman’s 21-minute documentary project “The Champaign Lady: Volunteers Preserving History” that chronicles a small local Urbana, OH aviation museum who made a choice to take on the daunting task of not only restoring, but making WHOLLY FLIGHTWORTHY, a B-17 Bomber (one of VERY few left) to be a purposeful step back into history for not only veterans, but to a new generation of people who can now learn about history in this amazing way–all by volunteers dedicated to make it happen.
The film’s interview with a former WWII B-17 tail gunner is a highlight here and to see people just coming together like this mirrors what this critic sees in ALL of these filmmakers who had their moments to shine at WSU Big Lens 2024! All I can say, not only the aforementioned directors, but also to ALL who were a part of each and every project we as the audience had the pleasure of viewing–students–STAY THE COURSE! Never let anyone tell you that “film MUST be made this way or that” (talking beyond the basics of the art, of course!), or “you can ONLY tell THIS kind of story”, or “you MUST appeal to the masses for success”. While I can totally understand(and undeniably support!!) your desire to grow, improve, expand, explore, experiment, and see your filmmaking (or writing, acting, editing, producing, cinematography, music scoring) dreams reach their highest, most fulfilling pinnacles, DO NOT DO IT at the COST of WHO YOU ARE, what YOU wish to SAY through your art, the MESSAGES you wish to make known, and especially for me, in the danger of LOSING your SHEER, UNADULTERATED LOVE OF FILM. That is honestly what I’ve seen occurring in Hollywood lately. IT…IS…TIME…FOR…CHANGE!! YOU, students, have this responsibility. Carry it forward with the pride, skill, and FUN that you showed me at Big Lens!
Additional production-level shout-outs to Bino Bannan, Jazz Jefferson, Morgan Johnson, Marissa Martin, Sam May, and Chloe Sinkhorn for your contributions across the mentioned films! Special “THANK YOU!!” to great friend/actor Timothy J. “I AM Jerry Buffet!” Cox (also here & here) and writer/filmmaker Trevor Seech-Hrvatin (also here) for arranging for me to have the opportunity to attend this event, hang with you, and meet those students I was able to! Also, thank you to The Neon and owner Jonathan McNeal (also here) for hosting the event! Great to meet you, albeit briefly, and hopefully not for the last time!
As always, everyone, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
