Lewin Schmitt
Staff Writer
As the Academy Awards reminded viewers on Sunday, Hollywood is the mecca of movies. Nevertheless, it is not the only place where filmmaking happens.
Though the limited resources at the disposition of Troy’s student community might not allow for the creation of the next “Birdman” or award-winning visual effects like “Interstellar,” the Cinematography Society brings together film enthusiasts every week to engage in filmmaking.
According to Hayden Glass, a sophomore global business major from Dothan and president of the Cinematography Society, the organization existed years ago but was dissolved when all of its members graduated. Glass decided to revitalize the club last semester.
The Cinematography Society took on its first video project of 2015 last week in conjunction with the Wesley Foundation, a United Methodist campus ministry. The primary aim of the project is to give Wesley Foundation, and eventually other campus organizations, the means of presenting themselves in a high-quality motion picture.
For the promotion video, members of the Cinematography Society attended the Wesley Foundation’s meetings, filming their Bible study and worship sessions and the foundation’s weekly dinner event.
The volunteers of the Cinematography Society will also deal with the postproduction and editing of the video.
Elaine Brown, minister for the Wesley Foundation, said she regards the project as a big opportunity for her community to promote the program, not only on campus, but also toward local churches and congregations.
“I’m of course very excited to see the video,” she said after the last day of shooting.
Members of the Cinematography Society said that this cooperation will not only benefit the Wesley Foundation, but also provide it with an opportunity to enhance its practical experience.
Vincent Rosec, a sophomore theater major from Saint-Lô, France, who was involved in camera work during the first day of shooting, said he values the opportunity to acquire an insight into the different steps of producing a movie.
“As an actor, I usually do not get to stand behind the camera, but I think it is important to know what the rest of the production team is doing,” he said.
Currently, the group is planning on other projects in collaboration with other campus organizations. Student band POPulus, for instance, has approached the Cinematography Society, asking for support with producing a music clip.
“We are developing a new marketing campaign for the upcoming spring tour, and a music video will definitely enlarge our reach,” said Jody Behre, a junior music industry major from The Hague, Netherlands, and the band’s social media manager.
POPulus’ third studio album is due to be released in the beginning of April, when the group is touring through the Southwest, in addition to a performance at Universal Studios in Orlando.
While the Cinematography Society’s main focus for the upcoming weeks is on the production of an original short, it is always open for potential cooperation with other student organizations.
“We love having organizations ask us to help promote them by shooting a short,” said Adrienne McCall, a sophomore psychology major from Ashford and secretary of the Cinematography Society.
Furthermore, the organization is welcoming interested newcomers as well as skilled students who would want to become directly involved. Currently, around 20 members attend the meetings regularly.
“The Cinematography Society is a great way to get connected with other college students interested in the art of filmmaking,” McCall said. “It’s a place to learn and grow, and to realize your ideas.”
The group meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Trojan Center Room 212.
