Elon in Los Angeles is a nine-week program in which students of Elon University study the business of Hollywood while working at internships. As of this summer, the program encompasses production, acting, public relations and dance students. The cornerstone of the program is the final films – five seven-minute films that are entirely conceived, produced and released by Elon students.
Senior Maddie Carlin is no stranger to a set. She worked on the crew of the latest Elon-produced Sprite Film, “Break the Night,” as well as her short documentary, “We Will Prevail,” which was screened at a number of film festivals. With the short film, “Three’s a Crowd,” a comedy about a couple needing a sperm donor and two brothers fighting to win the opportunity, Carlin stepped away from her background in documentaries and embraced the position of a producer of a scripted comedy, a role she said she welcomed warmly.
“As a producer, I wear many, many hats,” Carlin said. “On any given day, my responsibilities can range from team cheerleader to nagging mother to financial accountant, but that's what I love about it. You really help bring every aspect of the project to life.”
Senior Ja’Mei Bess, director of “Three’s A Crowd,” has had previous filmmaking experience with “Break the Night,” as well as class projects in her major. Bess was in charge of captaining the cast and crew to get the necessary shots for the film, which was not always easy.
“The biggest challenge was figuring out how to cut down shots or create a system that would allow us to film as much as possible, as effectively as possible,” Bess said. “A major difficulty with the shoot was the outdoor lighting and minor equipment mishaps. In the end, it came together.”
Despite the mishaps that are bound to happen on set, the two agreed their shoot went well and hope the captured footage will create the short film they and the rest of the crew were hoping for.
Junior Brian Mezerski said he hopes the same thing for his short film,“Steinwicks and Agnes.” Mezerski’s film is about an elderly shopkeeper trying to make a sale but ultimately finding friendship. Mezerski put on the hats of writer, director and producer throughout the filmmaking process, which he said gave him a lot of creative control.
“The successes [I’ve had] include writing a full script, getting a fantastic team together and vision-casting for the entire project,” Mezerski said. “I wanted to create a project that had more elements than simply the short film. The challenge is to put together a team with the same vision and mindset to make an overall successful project, and then balance each element perfectly.”
[quote]It's a necessary stepping stone to a real-world career that everyone should experience while at Elon. -- Brian Mezerski, junior[/quote]
While students from the production class took over most filmmaking responsibilities, some of the Elon acting students had an opportunity to perform in the short films. Senior Tyler Alverson was cast in the sci-fi thriller "Dead Zone," written and directed by junior Brian Binder. Alverson plays the protagonist Fenix, a man in a post-apocalyptic world looking for his dog. Alverson said he feels blessed to be a part of this film, something he’s never done before.
“A sci-fi thriller is far different than any other genre I've done, and the part of Fenix is different than any other character I've played before,” Alverson said. “This project gives me the opportunity to stretch my acting chops and hopefully help me become a more versatile actor.”
Throughout the production process, Alverson got the full on-set experience. Instead of readying himself in a dressing room and performing on a stage, Alverson went through hair and makeup and acted in the middle of the desert. He even joked about getting the star treatment as crew members offered him water. It showed Alverson that no matter what stage of the game a filmmaker is at, it can still be a professional production.
“I've also learned to never underestimate someone because of their age or experience because I don't think I could've asked for a better, more professional production team,” Alverson said.
As production wraps up and the films enter post-production, the production teams walk away with a little bit more insight as to what a future production might be like. Bess conveyed the wisdom she has gained through her filmmaking experience.
“Make sure you are well-versed in what paperwork you need done,” Bess said. “Don't be afraid of mishaps and don't over-stress. There are no small roles. This is a great lesson to remember when you venture into the film world and you have to start from the bottom. Every role is important. You can be the difference between a major problem becoming a minor problem that is easily dealt with. Have fun.”
Bess, Mezerski, Carlin and Alverson said they all credit the Elon in LA program for helping them find what they want to do and ultimately walk away from this summer a little bit smarter about the industry they feel destined to enter.
“Elon in LA is providing me the chance to gain real-life skills and make valuable connections at this stage in my career,” Mezerski said. “It's a necessary stepping stone to a real-world career that everyone should experience while at Elon, if desiring to enter the industry"