The Savannah School of Artwork and Design is the college launchpad for a profession in movie and tv. The alternatives for precise skilled expertise SCAD affords are second to none. From movie units to casting workplaces to manufacturing and costume design amenities, that is the place somebody with movie and TV goals can get their profession began even earlier than they graduate.
SCAD college students have the distinctive alternative to review overseas on the college’s Lacoste location in Provence, France. College students enrolled within the Spring Quarter documentary movie class get the as soon as in a lifetime expertise to journey to the coast to attend the Cannes Movie Competition the place they community with movie trade professionals, see extremely anticipated movies, study on the bottom with their professors, and are impressed to create their very own distinctive content material.
The competition expertise permits them to image themselves returning to the Croisette with their very own movies sooner or later. Watch the video above and browse extra about every of their tales under.
Matison LeBlanc, 2023 Graduate
Summa Cum Laude
BFA in movie and tv, minor in dramatic writing
Since I left college, my primary precedence has been to develop my first characteristic movie known as “Ada and the Doc.” It’s based mostly on the untold true story of the primary girl executed by the state of Louisiana. I made the brief proof of idea as my senior undertaking whereas I used to be at SCAD, and I’m actually proud to say that it’s screening 3 times whereas I’m right here in Cannes, twice within the Palais with Movie USA after which as soon as right here [at the American Pavilion] with the Rising Filmmakers Showcase.
I really went to SCAD as a portray main first. My background had solely ever been in nice artwork, like David Lynch. He didn’t know he ever needed to be a filmmaker till he did it. It was the identical for me. I had been drawing and portray my entire life after which I bought to SCAD and I took Movie 100 on a whim and stated to myself, “I’m by no means doing the rest ever once more.” And so I took each movie class. I had at all times been a author, so I delved into the writing lessons, realized how units work, bought on a set in any capability from being a PA to being a particular results make-up artist. I started working on “Concern the Strolling Lifeless” whereas I used to be in Savannah. I started working within the zombie division.
So far as the undertaking itself [“Ada and the Doc”] goes, SCAD offered cutting-edge tools. Not lots of people can say they filmed their senior undertaking on an Arri Alexa, in order that was wonderful. However in all probability probably the most invaluable factor from SCAD would have been the crew, the connections I made there as a result of SCAD has a significant for just about each artwork self-discipline round, so you’ve got a built-in crew from costume designers to sound designers and extra.
It means all the pieces to be at Cannes, particularly contemplating my internship placement with Lionsgate. I’ve been studying a lot info that has actually demystified all the gross sales ecosystem for me. My workforce of SCAD producers are flying in in the present day for the screening, and so they all purchased Marche passes, with our growth funds for the longer term and so we’re going to go in there and attempt to promote this movie!
Tess Nelson, Class of 2026
Third-year movie and tv main, with a minor in artistic writing
I knew I needed to be in movie since 4th grade. I’d at all times been very concerned within the arts. My mother and father had been each theater actors. We watched a whole lot of films after which once I was in 4th grade, I did a analysis undertaking on Charlie Chaplin, and I simply liked it a lot I believed, that is all I wish to do. I feel I liked the guts. I feel that’s very central in Charlie Chaplin movies.
I knew that I needed to inform tales and I knew that I needed to inform the tales that I used to be impacted by, and so for a very long time that was by way of each writing and directing. Since you fall so in love with the tales that you just write, it breaks your coronary heart at hand it off. Apart from, I like working with the actors too, in order that’s the place I’m happiest.
I’d say one of many best issues about SCAD is the folks that I’ve met there. I’ve made unbelievable buddies: Actually, actually gifted, pushed individuals with a love for storytelling, not only for the glamour of Hollywood. I’ve so many unbelievable folks that have helped me create works that I’m actually pleased with. After which in fact, the professors are an excellent factor: Chris Donahue, Frank Inexperienced, and Christopher Millis have actually supported me and helped me develop. They’re unbelievable.
Cannes is likely one of the best movie festivals on the planet. It’s in a gorgeous location. It’s terribly thrilling. Most likely all of my favourite movies have achieved rather well in Cannes. “Bare” by Mike Leigh did rather well in Cannes. “Elephant” by Gus Van Sant did rather well in Cannes. “Shut” by Lucas Dhont did rather well in Cannes. Each screening I am going into may very well be the good factor that adjustments my life in some regard.
Layla Doyley, Class of 2026
Third yr movie and tv main
What actually made me wish to go into movie and tv is simply the chance to inform tales. I like telling tales visually in any method, and so I feel movie is such an excellent medium to try this. SCAD positively has the sources that I would like to have the ability to accomplish that.
I first began telling tales by way of vogue. I began out as a vogue main at SCAD, after which transitioned into movie as soon as I spotted how a lot I like to edit and be a director behind initiatives. Having the ability to use clothes to speak various things to individuals, I noticed how a lot I actually love that facet of vogue, and needed to hold that into filmmaking.
I feel what excites me probably the most about filmmaking is unquestionably the story growth course of, beginning out with an inkling of an concept, after which attending to develop that into one thing that I feel is mature and is extra polished. It’s the brainstorming facet, attending to collaborate with individuals, getting to speak by way of your concept and having the ability to begin that undertaking.
Probably the most thrilling factor that I’ve realized at SCAD is develop and create polished scripts, edit, and take suggestions and take it effectively. It’s actually useful to have the ability to not be so defensive along with your work, however really take it again and edit it additional and additional and proceed to get the suggestions that you just want.
I completely love Ava DuVernay and her work. I like watching what Spike Lee does as effectively. However I additionally actually love this documentary known as “Daughters.” I lately noticed it on the SCAD Savannah Movie Competition. It actually impressed me to enter the documentary filmmaking enviornment.
Cannes is such a possibility. It’s such a novel likelihood to have the ability to join with completely different individuals and speak with completely different individuals, have discussions and study from individuals. I see myself as a sponge, and so in all places that I am going, I take issues in and study.
Ben Bostian, Class of 2026
Third-year movie and tv main, minor in appearing
I grew up as a giant 80s child. I used to be a giant lover of classic issues. I began simply watching a ton, a ton of flicks, and I fell in love with an area legend from the place I’m from in New Jersey — Kevin Smith. He’s an indie legend. He stated, “When you love films a lot, it’s best to simply make one.” I used to be in highschool drifting about not realizing what to do, and I considered that, and stated to myself, “Oh, why don’t I simply make a film?” In order that’s how I bought into movie.
I like how some administrators are in a position to change from style to style, like that, and, with every movie, makes one thing very completely different whereas preserving their identical type. My favourite of all time is Hal Ashby. Him and Robert Altman are my two ‘70s legends.
The very best half about SCAD is the connections and the way the professors go floor stage with you. They’ve a whole lot of data and expertise, however they deal with you as professionals. They deal with your units severely, and so they encourage you to be on as many units as you may. I’m an appearing minor as effectively — I’m getting a whole lot of expertise with casting workplaces (SCAD has the one skilled in-house casting workplace in larger schooling). I’ve at all times liked appearing. I like movies. So I got here to SCAD as a result of they’ve nice packages for each.
Cannes is the best movie competition on the planet. However I additionally sleep outdoors to attend for tickets on the SCAD Savannah Movie Competition. And the largest factor with the SCAD Movie Competition is all the pieces that does effectively there, and all my favorites there, all begin at Cannes. I’m actually simply excited to be right here and expertise it. I noticed “The Left-Handed Lady” this morning. Sean Baker is certainly one of my favorites. He’s my hero, and he produced and edited the movie, and it’s very a lot a Sean Baker movie, however Taiwanese, and that was my favourite up to now.
I’ve already made some connections right here at Cannes, which is likely one of the most necessary issues. Hopefully I’ll be again right here sometime with my very own movies.
Charlie Luther, Class of 2026
Movie and tv main, with give attention to enhancing
After I was rising up, I used to be within the directorial and writing facet, and I discovered I used to be taking any video I may discover and enhancing it collectively. That slowly turned one thing that I used to be good at, one thing that I had a distinct segment for. Then I went to SCAD and fell in love with enhancing. Now I’ve labored on a bunch of scholar initiatives, enhancing and put up manufacturing, and I actually like having a management function in that.
The editor I love is one which I simply met on the SCAD Savannah Movie Competition: Myron Kerstein, the editor of “Depraved” and “Within the Heights” and all these musicals. Earlier than I went to SCAD, I’d say that the trade was very formidable to me and I wasn’t positive what steps to take. By studying that these steps are literally attainable, SCAD has helped give me extra alternatives and connection. I’ve additionally realized speak to individuals, set up connections and hold them for a very long time. That’s in all probability probably the most useful factor I’ve realized.
For me, being in Cannes means assembly individuals, making connections, experiencing new issues. Whether or not that’s assembly a brand new connection or seeing a movie that introduces a brand new concept I by no means considered earlier than, or realizing that my little area of interest group at SCAD is one a part of an enormous puzzle, and hopefully sooner or later I can begin placing that puzzle collectively myself.
Colleen Ryan, 2024 Graduate
BFA in movie and tv manufacturing, with minor in producing
I had the chance to go to Cannes this yr as a latest alum of SCAD. Being right here, I’m hoping to develop a greater understanding of the way in which the enterprise facet and market of the movie trade works. I heard that there’s a whole lot of actually nice alternatives to listen to about that facet of issues, meet individuals in that world and develop a greater understanding right here at one of many largest movie markets.
I’m hoping to direct and produce in the long term. At the moment, I’m hoping to simply get extra expertise engaged on initiatives which are extra mission pushed, about causes and issues that I care about and imagine in, in no matter capability is feasible at this stage. Being a scholar at SCAD, I used to be in a position to achieve a whole lot of actual world, hands-on expertise that I don’t assume I’d have been in a position to get at another college. It was very immersive when it comes to studying by way of doing, relatively than simply in a classroom, and I feel that was tremendous useful for somebody like me that didn’t actually know what they had been going to do going into college. And so to have the ability to leap in head first, with the steerage of so many professors which are additionally working trade professionals, was a brilliant useful option to actually develop an understanding of the filmmaking course of, virtually in addition to conceptually.
I like Sean Baker, who gained the Palme d’Or final yr. Greta Gerwig as effectively, who I imagine was on the board of deciding that final yr. And certainly one of my largest inspirations is Emerald Fennell as effectively. I feel only a actually highly effective feminine storyteller who branches outdoors of what the standard feminine lens appears like.
I produced my movie overseas in Panama for my SCAD senior thesis, which was tremendous particular, as a result of I actually felt like SCAD had geared up me with the right amenities to have the ability to execute one thing like that at such a younger age with a workforce of different college students. My most up-to-date undertaking was directing for SCAD their premier backlot movie known as “Take Two” that we’re at the moment ending up and hopefully about to enter into the competition circuit. However that movie was the primary movie that SCAD type of produced on their very own by way of their new Hollywood type backlot. And it was a really thrilling and funky alternative to do a manufacturing on such a big scale as a scholar. We had stunts, skilled actors. It’s a interval piece and a time journey film. It was very cool to have the ability to try this at SCAD as type of my very last thing earlier than graduating.