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I always look forward to the end of the semester. It is not because classes are coming to a close but because it’s time for the MFA thesis screenings. This is the pinnacle event for graduate students at Columbia College Chicago. It’s the chance for us to take our personal experiences and couple that with what we’ve learned to create a signature piece.

I enjoy mingling with professors and classmates I haven’t had the opportunity to speak with during the semester. And as a struggling artist, you need to follow the free food.

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On Friday, November 15 there were four projects shown; two documentaries and two narratives:
Irlanda Elizabeth by Mary Horan
The Persistence of Loss by Brian Lange
Sportwriter by R. Patrick Lile
Two-A-Days by April A. Wilson

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On Saturday, November 16 there were six projects shown; three documentaries, two live narratives and one animated film. The featured projects were:
Light Play by Thomas Kesling
R.E.M. by Tobias Yoshimura
Mercy by Sunnye C. Durham
Love Smells by Margaret Blakemore
Deep Ship by Anastasia Basche and Leah Shaheen
Journey to Love by Dan Mollison

I enjoy watching the films because they are personal stories. When I say personal, I’m not saying these eight to twenty minute pieces are all autobiographical works. But because these are signature pieces there is so much blood, sweat, and tears invested to make sure the projects are ready to screen. I watched directors agonize over shoot dates, color correction, musical score, and opening title credits. Every frame is personal.

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The other part of the screenings I look forward to is the Q and A sessions. Everybody had thought-provoking comments about their pieces. However, I can tell you my favorite quote of the weekend. When asked, and I’m paraphrasing here, “What did you learn from your own work?” April said, “Girls are just as good as boys.” Short, sweet, and to the point.

As my time at Columbia draws to an all too swift end, I hope I can conduct myself with the same grace, humor, and humility as my fellow filmmaking classmates.