Cassidy Schuck | The Crow’s Nest
By Gabby Dacosta
From an abandoned soggy Bible and used dirty cups to lively bars and long city streets, a team of participants from USF St. Petersburg’s Campus Movie Fest used the convenience of their surroundings to produce their own film on transformation and masculinity.
Cassidy Schuck | The Crow’s Nest
With a video camera in her hands, a cowboy hat on his head and a city of options, senior marketing major Julia Wingle and local artist Robert Dennard III, 25, strolled to several locations the night of Feb. 8 to film for their movie.
“You don’t need a professional camera or a recording booth,” Dennard said. “If you have an idea, just do it.”
Although it may not be high-production, Dennard encourages people to make their ideas come to life. With a generation that has such easy access to “everything we need,” he said, it’s much easier now to produce creative projects.
Hopping through downtown locales like the Ringside Café and Central Cigars, they made their surroundings work for them while filming. With unplanned props at bars and organic interactions with curious people, they ventured through the night, welcoming anything.
Although the film has underlying messages about conformity and masculinity, Dennard said the dramedy is not too serious and doesn’t target a specific demographic. It’s more of a “human story.”
Participating for the fourth time, Wingle has been producing films for the festival since her freshman year. Starting just for fun, she quickly realized how much she enjoyed it and continued.
“I really liked it, and it’s a good way to have a creative outlet,” she said.
Despite having a busy schedule, she made time to participate for her final time in the festival.
Dennard, under the moniker Acute Perception, also has experience with production. He has acted and written for short films, worked as a graphic designer and photographer and recorded and directed music videos for local and regional bands.
With real equipment and a strict schedule, Wingle said the festival gives her experience and skills she can use in real life, as well as content to add to her portfolio.
“A lot of people dismiss this kind of thing for school, but it’s a really valuable experience,” said Dennard.
With a few more days and scenes of shooting, they must submit their finished film by Feb. 11.
USF St. Petersburg’s fifth annual Campus Movie Fest welcomed any USF students interested in participating. With free equipment and a week to film and edit, students were given the opportunity to create a five-minute short film.
As decided by judges, the top 16 films will be showcased at the premiere on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the University Student Center ballrooms.
