Today we’re celebrating BA (Hons) Film and Media Arts Production student Star, who’s short film is being screened at BFI Southbank National Film Theatre for NAHEMI’s “EAT OUR SHORTS” event on November 8th 2024! We spoke to Star about this exciting opportunity, and what it means to her.
Star’s film is a comedy about an “AA” style meeting for overly happy people. She drew inspiration from many places to create her film, including older comedies including National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, What about Bob, House sitter and Practical Magic. TV also played a part in inspiring the film, with shows like Fawlty Towers & The Vicar of Dibley.
A key reason why she wanted to make the film was to make people laugh. Having suffered a personal loss in the days before filming, Star was tempted to call it quits – not knowing how she could make the film while so upset. However, she saw it through remembering how she used to watch comedy shows with family while sad in the past. Star said that the distraction and laughs that those shows provided for her in the past was what she wanted to create with her film. “On the actual day of filming, my God we all laughed so hard!”
According to Star, the most rewarding part creating her film was seeing everything come together for filming: “when the actors turned up dressed the part, knew their lines & wanted to be these characters because they all loved their characters & had been practicing the characters & their mannerisms.”
With the film being screened at the prestigious BFI Southbank National Film Theatre, Star is a little nervous, but she hopes that people enjoy the film as a “good old-fashioned comedy”. She is also excited to be around likeminded people, who all love film! “Someone from Eat Our Shorts felt my film is worthy enough to be shown. That in itself is a win!”
Star’s film was made with the support of her tutors, Ross and Rich. Star had less technical skills or experience and thought she would have to do assignments on her own. Instead though, her classmates rallied around her, helping to do camera work and sound as well as tutors having 1-1 meetings to help with editing. “When you have a team who want to work with you & bring your vision to life, it’s the best feeling in the world!”
At first when Star’s tutors suggested that she enter herself to the Eat Our Shorts event, she was hesitant as she felt it could’ve been better. However, they managed to make her see how good her film was and that it was worthy of the competition! Star was also reassured that they would be there to support her emotionally, with Star being grateful for the support network around her from UCW.
To find out more about Film and Media Arts Production at UCW, click here!
