Taylor University’s Envision Film Festival anticipates cinematic enchantment as prospective students compete for scholarships, film and media arts students compete for cash prizes and successful industry workers make guest appearances.
Student coordinators Audrey Moore and Kylee Kinsmin are returning to the planning committee, along with freshmen Brooke Davidson and Ava Lynch. Plans are overseen by film and media arts and faculty members Kathy Bruner, John Bruner, John Taylor, Lincoln Road, and Steve Bailey.
Students fervently work at film production, scheduling, and event coordination from February to March 13-15th.
“March is insane up until the event,” said Kylee Kinsmen, junior film and media arts major who helped coordinate. “I’m an organizer at heart.”
Out of 25 film submissions from Taylor students, ten are selected by an anonymous panel of judges. Students and faculty gather together for a screening of the chosen films, followed by a prompt awards ceremony. Student producers and faculty began the six week preparation for Envision during J-term.
Preparations include hours of seeking sponsors, finding cash contributors and acquiring anonymous judges. Additionally, faculty compose a succinct schedule for student prospects that fits within the schedule for competitions and workshops.
Envision will welcome guest speaker Jennifer A. Haire, University of North Carolina School of the Arts graduate and co-author of “Keys to the Production Office, Unlocking Success as an Office Production Assistant in Film and Television.”
Haire will lead “Workshop Production Paperwork in Hollywood,” relaying the duties of film and production crew members within the film industry. This workshop will also cover production communication topics, such as industry networking, the production process and storytelling.
Beth Legate, Taylor alum executive producer with Image Base, will also speak.
Legate will teach a workshop on corporate video titled “It’s Still about the Story.” This workshop describes the process of transferring film elements to a script and back to the camera.
“They are picking people that are far from the department,” said Davidson, freshman film and media arts major “So there’s no bias there, which is also like a really noble and crucial aspect … because that solidifies the credibility of festivals.”
Film competitions and showings enable students to receive feedback and prepare for other film competitions. Kathy Bruner, department co-chair and professor of film & media arts, aids students in this process. Films achieving entrance into other festivals are posted on Taylor’s film and media instagram.
Many students expressed excitement for the unifying qualities of a Taylor led film festival.
“People enjoy your work and it's rare to be able to sit in the audience while it's being screened,” said Kinsmin.“You get to sit in a room and watch people watch something you created.”
Additionally, prospective students can experience the Taylor film and media arts major through events like this, encouraging them to consider enrolling at Taylor after high school.
Davidson won a scholarship as a prospective student competing in last year's high school competitions.
“Envision last year is the majority of the reason that I came here to Taylor,” said Davidson. “I saw how dedicated their professors and students were and the quality of the work they made with the facilities…You know you love something when you lose track of time doing it.”
