Cinema Showcase features eight original capstone films by McDaniel seniors
Eight senior Cinema majors premiered more than their original films during the McDaniel Cinema Showcase on May 6. Their capstone creations showcased a piece of themselves on the big screen in Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science. Each film was written, directed, produced, and edited by a Cinema major as a portfolio of their work.
Eight senior Cinema majors premiered more than their original films during the McDaniel Cinema Showcase on May 6.
Their capstone creations showcased a piece of themselves on the big screen in Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science.
Each film was written, directed, produced, and edited by a Cinema major as a portfolio of their work.
Learn more about the 2021 Cinema Capstones:
“The New Wave” (documentary, 24 min.)
Directed by senior Cinema major Deshawn Cooper from Pikesville, Md.
Description: A nascent podcaster does his research.
“The inspiration for this film actually came from listening to multiple podcasts such as Lunch Break Hot Take, Joe Rogan, The Joe Budden Podcast, and others,” Cooper said. “I also wanted to make a comedic retort to bad sports takes on ESPN and other sports networks.”
“Dream Fever” (fiction, 21 min.)
Directed by senior Cinema major Lucas Craig from Takoma Park, Md.
Description: 3 roommates. 2 much time together. 1 epic ride.
“I made this film because, for starters, it would allow me to shoot my entire short film on my phone, in my apartment, with two people I already lived with,” Craig said. “But I was especially inspired by the feelings of loneliness, isolation, and boredom I and everyone else had been experiencing for over a year. The goal with ‘Dream Fever’ was to take my thoughts on quarantine and dial them up to 11. And a documentary-style comedy was the best way to do that.”
“Jordy” (documentary, 22 min.)
Directed by senior Cinema major Charles Kokoski from Reisterstown, Md.
Description: A former monk finds his way back to his family.
Kokoski was inspired to share the story of Jordan Dent, a grounds equipment operator that he got to know during his time at McDaniel.
Cinema major Samuel McDermott sits in a chair with McDaniel students Julia Hurlock and Nick Foley portraying characters in his film “The Making of Death’s Shadow.”
“I made ‘Jordy’ for my capstone because I thought Jordan had a unique story that represents how there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the people we surround ourselves with,” Kokoski said. “Jordan's story reminds us that we each have our own paths and that regardless of our pasts and choices, what we do today determines where we will go in the future. I enjoyed working on the project and being able to share a story about a McDaniel community member that I felt was worth sharing.”
“The Making of Death’s Shadow” (documentary/fiction, 22 min.)
Directed by Samuel McDermott, a senior Cinema major with a minor in History from Owings Mills, Md.
Description: A tale of angels and demons slams into a new reality.
“I got the inspiration of making a fictional mystery involving angels, demons, and other mythical creatures when I would play imaginary scenes in my mind, so I saw it as the perfect opportunity to make it reality,” McDermott said, noting the COVID-19 pandemic caused him to pivot the project into a documentary.
"A Gentleman's Game" by Lindsay Newton
“A Gentleman’s Game” (documentary, 18 min.)
Directed by senior Cinema major Lindsay Newton from Gettysburg, Pa.
Description: Stories about the game are par for the course.
“What inspired me to create this film was the beautiful landscapes and scenery of the golf course, along with my wonderful coworkers who were willing to help me out to tell some stories about their golfing experiences,” said Newton. “Bill, the main character of the film, I knew had been golfing for most of his life and is an avid golfer so I thought he would have some interesting stories to tell from throughout his life.”
“Wingman” (fiction, 25 min. )
Directed by Jose Osorio, a senior Cinema major with minors in Communication and Spanish from Odenton, Md.
Description: A young computer programmer augments his social life.
“I was motivated to create the film based off events an old friend of mine experienced with online dating apps,” said Osorio. “Originally, the goal of the film was to appeal to the audiences that use dating apps like Tinder and Hinge to seek validation and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with online dating. The problems come when someone becomes obsessed with these platforms and need to use them for a constant feeling of being needed and appreciated.”
Chandra Reiff
“Torn” (documentary, 22 min.)
Directed by senior Cinema major Chandra Reiff from Westminster, Md.
Description: A young athlete re-evaluates what competition has done to her body.
“A capstone is supposed to be the culmination of all the knowledge you gained throughout college, and I really think that sports had such a large presence in my overall college experience,” Reiff said. “My journey of learning new sports at the college level deepened my understanding of how the body works. All the lessons that I learned through these sports also helped shape who I am as a person and how I look at life, specifically the process of growth.”
“Space Junk” (fiction, 18 min.)
Directed by Faith Young, a senior Cinema major with a minor in Art from Takoma Park, Md.
Description: A sci-fi enthusiast stumbles across an alien artifact.
“I have always loved science fiction literature and film/TV,” said Young. “The unknowns of the universe, space, and aliens have always fascinated me and I have found that I connect to those stories the most.”
