Lisa Tervo

The College of Fine Arts and Production is meeting the effects of the pandemic head-on. Its innovations include outdoor performances, master classes with industry professionals, livestreaming and a little of Disney’s “The Mandalorian” thrown in for good measure. COFAP Dean Claude Pensis calls it a “fun challenge.”

GCU’s Film Festival brought a multitude of different emotions to an audience of eager film viewers Friday night. Within the eight categories, film students highlighted the talent emerging from COFAP’s film department. The top three films within each category, with the exception of music videos with four, competed for the trophy. “It’s a huge honor and there’s a lot of really talented film makers so I’m really blessed just to be able to come away with any win,” Matthew Wagner said about his film’s win in the comedy category.

Film students were given the opportunity to hear words of wisdom and encouragement at this semester’s Digital Film Production Alumni Panel. Alumni Maya James, Sam Erdmann and Athena Bates shared their experiences with the next generation of GCU film students and gave some advice on how to make it in the business.

Justin Sklar, Supervising Editor for Disney’s animated film “Frozen 2,” came to campus Friday morning to share with students some of the ins and outs of what an animation career at Disney looks like. Students were able to ask questions, hear three of the film’s new songs and see clips from the final film.

The College of Fine Arts and Production gives students many opportunities to connect with industry professionals. Students from multiple programs in the college have a chance to engage with guest dance artists and directors, scene designers and a professional drone cinematographer, to name a few. “I think it has to do with our push and our goal of helping our students succeed once they leave here,” said Claude Pensis, Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Production. “It’s a matter of really trying to use every tool that we could possibly get to help them make contacts, to help them get to know industry professionals in the Valley and hopefully to be interviewed by them and find jobs.”

Creativity was abundant at the College of Fine Arts and Production’s Film Festival last night. Students from all genres of film flocked to Ethington Theatre to see the winners in eight categories. The one-night event was three nights in the past, and Lisa Tervo, Chair of GCU’s Department of Digital Film Production, said, “I think a lot of people just are really excited and pleasantly surprised by what they end up seeing.”