An art-related theme was a natural fit for the group. Their script, Open Your Eyes, tells the story of a rapper who falls for his attractive new manager just as he’s about to get his big break. Featuring original music, choreography and narrative, it was an ambitious undertaking.
“Everyone brought in a lot of talent,” says Langweber, an Information Design and Corporate Communication and Liberal Studies major. “It was great to take what other people had to offer and combine it with what you know.”
Beyond the talent visible on screen, the team learned a host of new skills: drawing storyboards, working a camera, and using editing and sound equipment. With 75 distinct shots, the project had a level of complexity that challenged its young producers.
“The editing process was new to me,” Dugas says. “Capturing sound is an interesting thing. Some of it is using what the actor says, some is editing sound in. It took a long time.”
Collaboration was another key learning objective. “One lesson I learned was how important picking the right team is,” says Langweber. “I’ve been in other teams that have struggled, but this one really worked.”
“The ability to work in a group, to count on others and be counted on, is a basic business skill,” observes Stern. “The successful groups learn to work together and compromise.”
The highlight of each semester is a screening at the West Newton Cinema. Final projects created for Introduction to Video and four other video production courses — involving some 100 students — get a big-screen debut for classmates, family and friends.
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Open Your Eyes did its creators proud. “It turned out really well,” says Langweber. “There were funny parts and more serious parts, and the whole thing tied into pop culture.”
While most of the students in Stern’s course are a few years from making a final decision on career direction, seeing their work in public and getting feedback from others helps to shape their thinking on professional goals.
Raspa, who pairs her Liberal Studies program with the Economics–Finance major, had early aspirations as a movie director or producer. “It’s so important to have a creative outlet,” she says. “But I really love economics too. It will be exciting to see how I can combine them.” Ellen Prihodko Ross
SCREEN SAVOR Student projects for the fall 2008 Introduction to Video Production course
Bottled Up (Nick Aquino, Shannon Mooney, Samantha Longo, Bahar Ayasli)
A college student struggles with a secret past as he falls for a woman who has a boyfriend.
Open Your Eyes (Keith Dugas, Alexa Graff-Radford, Rebecca Langweber, Dimitry Marcelin, Maria Raspa) A rap star with a promising future has trouble dealing with his feelings for his new manager.
How to People Watch (Shannon Ballou, Melissa Vandover, Mike Rapa, Brittany Wells, Christine Mayo) A primer on seeing without being seen.
Untitled (Mike Dubrovsky, Sam Etter, Mike Maguire, Brittany Ross, Amy Sturgeon) Friends of a young soldier say goodbye.
L.C.R. (John Battaline, Taylor Fisher, Brian Lofrumento, Tyler Williams) A behind-the-scenes look at an underground gambling syndicate.
Into the Jungle: Harvard Square (Jessica Cookson, Andy Roque, Brianna Schneider, Christine Varriale) An offbeat guide to Harvard Square for students.
The Haunting of Ms. Pearce (Sean Vailente, Stephanie Shultis, Felicita Pena, Adrianna Phillips) An old photograph terrorizes four young women.
Untitled (Matthew Fontana, Parrish Polk, Daniel Uribe)
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