College launches film intensive

Cast and crew on location for the filming of Disappearances. Photos courtesy of Jay Craven

Film studies students have found significant opportunities to work with professor Jay Craven, from assisting on the set of his 2007 feature film, Disappearances, to collaborating on Marble Hill, a television sitcom based on a small, liberal arts college in Vermont. Next spring the college will take film studies to a new level, through an intensive program that partners college students with seasoned filmmakers for the production of a dramatic feature film starring professional actors and aimed for national release.

Movies from Marlboro, a semester-long film intensive, starts in January 2012 with a week at the Sundance Film Festival. This will be followed by “north country” literature and cinema study as well as hands-on preparation and production of a film based on Howard Frank Mosher’s award-winning novel Northern Borders.

“This new film intensive program grows out of my long experience working with young filmmakers and my years of producing and releasing north country films produced on significantly larger budgets,” said Jay. “Based on these experiences and new developments in independent film production and distribution, I believe that this Marlboro College film intensive will provide a rich learning opportunity and help chart a new course for how independent films get made and distributed.”

Eight film professionals will mentor up to 20 college students and play leading roles as department heads for the film. Independent filmmaker Chip Hourihan, who produced the Academy Award–nominated Frozen River, will partner with Jay to produce the film on a contract with the Screen Actors Guild. Based on their interest and experience, students will earn both college credit and professional film credit as they study, train and practice in every corner of production—as actors, camera operators, unit directors, producers, set designers, costume designers, production assistants and more.

Students in the Movies from Marlboro program will help produce a feature film.

“Marlboro College has, since its founding, believed in students’ potential to take on substantial leadership and responsibility and to challenge themselves on ambitious and potentially transformative Projects,” said Ellen McCulloch-Lovell, president. “This Project is a perfect fit for us, and I’m especially pleased that we’ll launch it using the work of one of Vermont’s most talented writers, Howard Frank Mosher, who has done so much to enlarge our imagination of our region.”

Jay envisions participation that will include undergraduate and graduate students in not only film but also theater, visual arts and photography. Students from other U.S. colleges are eligible to apply for the program, joining with Marlboro students on the Project.

“Motivated college students possess keen intelligence, formidable skills and a strong desire to work on Projects that engage them,” Jay said. “They can do the work required to make a first-class film, serving in leadership roles and guided by professionals. My own experience shows me that nothing helps to accelerate an emerging filmmaker’s path more quickly than this kind of intensive exposure, which can otherwise take years to achieve. We’re working to give students a chance—sooner than they might otherwise have—to intensify their practice and earn a substantial film credit to help launch their careers.”

For more information, go to movies.marlboro.edu or contact Jay Craven.