Augustana studio equips students for filmmaking futures

Augustana College’s renamed Department of Theatre and Film is writing an effective formula that not only led a chemistry major and musician to dream of being a filmmaker, it made him believe a career in the film industry is possible. That’s where college junior Matthew Chezum of New Windsor, Illinois, finds himself two years after […]

Augustana College’s renamed Department of Theatre and Film is writing an effective formula that not only led a chemistry major and musician to dream of being a filmmaker, it made him believe a career in the film industry is possible. That’s where college junior Matthew Chezum of New Windsor, Illinois, finds himself two years after the then chemistry major took a class in film history during Augustana’s J-term. That three-week, five-day-a-week January class was taught by Associate Professor Stacy Barton, who these days is Augustana’s film program director. “I fell in love with it,” said Mr. Chezum, who is now a dual film and chemistry major. So much so he told himself then, “I could do this for a living or just as a hobby even.” Later, when he found out Rock Island’s nationally ranked liberal arts college was creating a film major, he quickly applied. Now he’s looking to see how far filmmaking will take him thanks in part to a new state-of-the-art production facility just created in Augustana’s remodeled Sorensen Hall at 639 38th St. On Feb. 16, he and Aron Stewart, a sophomore film major from Davenport, joined Augustana leaders in cutting the ribbon on that new lab and top-of-the-line studio designed to provide hands-on experience for future filmmakers. In addition to adding a film major and minor to its Department of Theatre, and inserting film in its name, Augustana’s new facility seeks to expand and deepen film students’ focus in their field, diversify their skills, experiences and portfolios.  Importantly, too, the hands-on experience that students get in the program can lead them to jobs in the filmmaking industry, according to Peter Hawley, the director of the Illinois Film Office in Chicago.

Facilities ‘terrific, fantastic’

That’s in part why he told the QCBJ he is both pleased and impressed by Augustana’s film production program and its state-of-the-art production facility.  “It’s terrific,” Mr. Hawley said. “It’s fantastic.” That hands-on program is important in a state where film development remains on the rise despite the impact of COVID-19 and protracted screenwriter and performer strikes, he said.  

Since he began his tenure at the film office, Mr. Hawley has been spreading the word that there are two things Illinois requires to be successful in attracting more filmmaking to the Land of Lincoln: infrastructure – such as sound stages – and production workers. The Augustana production studio and film department deliver both. They’re also things that Mr. Hawley wished were available when he went to college. He and others who wanted careers in the industry had to learn on the job, when they could get those jobs.  Now, thanks to programs and facilities like Augustana’s, Mr. Hawley said “You can physically go to a place where films get made and filmmakers get made.” The Augustana program also is designed to engage the community in partnerships that will help grow the program and feed efforts by Quad Cities leaders, including the Quad Cities Regional Film Office still under development through the City of Rock Island. “The city hopes Augustana’s new film program will inspire emerging filmmakers to use local sets and scenery to create art that will, in turn, attract broader attention to Rock Island through the newly established Film Office,” Thomas Flaherty, the assistant to the Rock Island city manager and economic development director, told the QCBJ last week.

Studio top of the line

The Augustana program boasts more than two dozen students and enrollment is expected to continue to rise with the first-floor Sorensen Hall facilities. The space now boasts a 20-seat iMac lab, recording studio, a new shooting studio featuring a dynamic set of backgrounds including green and white screens, an LED lighting grid, a private editing suite, and professional grip equipment that can achieve high-quality professional standards in sound and vision.  “The growth and interest in our film program is very exciting and I’m proud to say Augustana students remain committed to telling powerful stories and it’s hard to overemphasize the power of film in telling those stories,” Augustana Provost Dianna Shandy said during the ribbon-cutting last month. “Augustana educates students broadly and deeply and the film program is an excellent opportunity for students to take courses across several departments from classics to English Literature and creative writing to communications studies, business, accounting, computer science, graphic design and beyond,” she said. Ms. Shandy added, “These students will gain the skills to prepare them to be leaders in their careers and their communities. The jobs they take may lead them to Hollywood or to put town roots right here in Illinois or the Quad Cities.” Just before helping cut the ribbon, Mr. Chezum added, “I’m super thankful and excited to keep learning. Watch out Quad Cities, and watch out Hollywood, because this program is going to produce great filmmakers and great films.”

Barton seasoned filmmaker

Mr. Chezum also lauded the program’s leader Ms. Barton, an experienced and award-winning filmmaker and film teacher who has built two other college-level film programs in the past.  Her works include a documentary entitled “In the Heart of Chile.” The film, which can be screened on Tubi, was shot in that country and shares memories of women during the nation’s brutal Pinochet era. Ms. Barton’s body of work also includes a feature film, a rom-com called “Red Pearl” which was released in 2016. She’s both excited by the way the Augie program is developing and the new spaces and equipment that will teach students the skills they need to succeed after graduation.  She’s also eager to create “strong community partnerships because these students are going to be bugging people,’’ she said. “They’ve already been doing it on campus here. Now that people are here, they are hungry for stories to tell.” Last summer, for example, Augustana film students worked with child actors from Rock Island and in the future will be looking for actors from the local theater scene to make film projects possible. “We want to bring in the community,” Ms. Barton said. She’s also high on the “exceptional” students at Augustana College and the film students who are “really go-getters” who can succeed in the industry. She added, “There’s a very strong work ethic and dedication, and they can learn the rest. They have what it takes.”

Student films on display

That includes Mr. Chezum, the creator of an award-winning, four-minute, live-action film  “S’mores,” which he shot on his kitchen table. It features marshmallows navigating the Salem Witch Trials. It took people’s choice and best narrative awards at the Augustana Student Film Showcase in October 2023. The juried showing included 18 short student videos created in film courses during the previous academic year in the genres of documentary, narrative fiction, experimental, and public service announcement.  Mr. Chezum told the QCBJ, “S’mores” also will be featured at a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, film festival later this year. “It’s really cute and I’m really proud of it,” he said. Currently Mr. Chezum is editing a new film for a student showcase slated for May at The Last Picture Show in downtown Davenport. Winners will be announced at the showing and those films will re-screen on campus during Augustana’s Symposium Day in October. (It’s also available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C0prv4YkNc) “To see that film kind of take off – and that’s kind of what’s important – and being accepted into festivals, I’m really excited. I think it spells good things for me and for anyone else in the program and anyone looking to get in the program,” he said. As for the years ahead, Ms. Barton said: “We look forward to a future full of local partnerships as more film majors are attracted to Augustana as well as the Quad Cities. I especially can’t wait to see the motion pictures that our dedicated and talented Augie film students create.”