The School of Filmmaking saw its first graduating class in 1997. Since that time, alumni of the school have established themselves in all areas of the film and television industries, winning awards and recognition at national and international film festivals; directing and producing their own independent features; working on major motion pictures, TV series and movies, and music videos; and opening their own production and post-production companies. From Los Angeles to New York to North Carolina, they are making a name for themselves and the School of Filmmaking. Here are some of their stories.
Randolph Benson, 1998
Randolph Benson's thesis film MAN AND DOG has appeared in 17 film festivals and markets in seven countries and has garnered numerous awards, most notably a Gold Medal in the 1999 Student Academy Awards and a CINE Eagle award. The film has also been featured on the Bravo Network, the Independent Film Channel, WTTW Channel 11-Chicago, University of North Carolina Television, and Telewizja Polska S.A.-Poland. Invited to the Eastman Kodak "Emerging Filmmaker Showcase" at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival, Benson won an Excellence in Filmmaking Award. He was also selected as one of 15 directors worldwide for the First Appearance program for new directors at the International Documentary Filmfestival-Amsterdam.
David Cook, 1998
A Greensboro native, David C. Cook graduated in 1998 from THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts/Filmmaking. David has worked closely with acclaimed directors and producers such as James Cameron, Brian Grazer, Jean Doumanian, Terrence Malick, Edward R. Pressman, Roger Corman, David Gordon Green, Tony Goldwin, Sarah Pilsbury, Lisa Muskat and Ian Biederman.
David has also taught EDITING, PRODUCING OF POST PRODUCTION, TECHNOLOGY OF POST PRODUCTION and SPECIAL EFFECTS at the AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE since 1999 and has guest lectured at the University of New Orleans. He is currently Lead Editor on the CBS Hit Television Series SHARK, starring James Woods.
His credits include SHARK, JAMES CAMERON'S LAST MYSTERIES OF TITANIC, THE FOOT FIST WAY, UNDERTOW, JAMES CAMERON'S GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS, ALL THE REAL GIRLS, CLOVER BEND, GEORGE WASHINGTON, THE JOYRIDERS, DOOMSDAY MAN, HEARSAY, SURFACING, RECKONING,THE SURPRISE PARTY, DETONATOR and ROGER CORMAN'S BUCKET OF BLOOD.
David and his wife Sarah currently reside in Los Angeles, CA with their son Lucas Benjamin.
Robert Matthew "Matt" Doyle, 2003
Matt Doyle completed his degree at the School of Filmmaking in editing and sound. He currently works as the re-recording mixer for Triage Entertainment, Bel Air Productions, and Arjay Entertainment and is also the picture editor for Bel Air and Arjay. His credits include THE GREAT ADVENTURE (Fine Living Network), BRANSON JUBILEE and SPIRIT OF THE DANCE (PBS), VIP ACCESS – the series (Showtime) and VIP ACCESS: THE YOUNG HOLLYWOOD AWARDS – special (Showtime), FOX FALL PREMIERE PARTY (Fox Movie Channel), ABOVE-THE-LINE BEAUTY: MR. & MRS. SMITH (Fox Movie Channel), THE RAY STEVENS SHOW (PBS & Pay Per View), and THE RED CARPET (Showtime). He recently won two Telly Awards for Editing in the Musical category on BRANSON JUBILEE (2005) and SPIRIT OF THE DANCE (2005). He also started his own post-production company, RMD Entertainment. Some of RMD’s credits include: LA POPULATION 12 (2006) -- co-producer/editor/re-recording mixer; SUBSTITUTE FOR LOVE (2005) – editor/re-recording mixer; EASY (2005) – titles designer; DO NOT DISTURB (2005) – co-supervising sound editor; and REALITIES OF LOVE (2003) – sound designer/re-recording mixer.
Anna Dudley, 2000
Anna Dudley completed her degree at the School of Filmmaking in Editing. Her film, SPECIAL DAY, won the Showtime Black Filmmaker Showcase 2001; a Juror's Choice Award at the Convergence 2001 Film/Video/Animation Festival; and was a semifinalist at the 2001 Angelus Awards. Dudley received a $30,000 grant from Showtime to be used toward the production of a short film, JACOB'S SOUND, that she recently filmed in North Carolina using several of her former classmates as crew. The film will have its world premiere on Showtime.
Will Files, 2002
Will completed his degree at the School of Filmmaking in Editing and Sound. Since graduation, Will has worked as assistant sound designer on A WALK TO REMEMBER, DARKNESS FALLS, SHREK 4-D, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE, and SHREK 2. He is currently supervising his first project at Skywalker Sound as the principal Sound Designer for Dreamworks Animation’s A BEE MOVIE.
Amanda Giddens, 2000
Amanda Giddens was the first graduate in production design at the School of Filmmaking. As part of her senior thesis project, she interned in the art department of Warner Brothers' "Dawson's Creek." She worked in the art department of the feature film HERMAN USA, and was an assistant set designer on the motion picture BLACK KNIGHT, starring Martin Lawrence, filmed in Wilmington, N.C.
David Gordon Green, 1998
David Gordon Green has won numerous kudos for his film GEORGE WASHINGTON, which was shot in Winston-Salem and crewed exclusively by NCSA film alumni and students. It was one of only two U.S. films selected to be screened at the 2000 New York Film Festival where Elvis Mitchell of The New York Times called it "a dream of a movie." At the Toronto Film Festival, Green shared the Discovery Award, which goes to a first-time director. There, critic Roger Ebert wrote: "In its mastery of style, the film plays notes it seems to be inventing." GEORGE WASHINGTON was the big winner at the Third Newport International Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Dramatic Film, Green won Best Director, and the Best Actor award went to the entire cast. The film, acquired by Cowboy Booking, was released in 27 cities across the United States. Green's student film PHYSICAL PINBALL won a 1999 CINE Eagle.
Rebecca Green, 2001
Rebecca earned her B.F.A. at the School of Filmmaking Producing. She is currently working as Vice President of Lynda Obst Productions, which has a first look deal at Paramount Pictures. Before moving to Lynda Obst this year, she spent four years at Lionsgate as the Creative Executive in the Production and Development department. There she worked on films such as EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH, starring Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson and PRIDE starring Terrence Howard and Bernie Mac. In addition, she worked in Acquisitions at Lionsgate where she participated in the major festivals and markets. While in Acquisitions, Rebecca spearheaded the theatrical release of the Japanese horror sensation JU-ON: THE GRUDGE, and also earned a Production Coordinator credit on Kevin Spacey's BEYOND THE SEA. During college, Rebecca interned at Christine Vachon's Killer Films where she worked on the Academy Award winning film, BOY’S DON’T CRY.
Rebecca also continues as an active alumna in the School of Filmmaking. In 2004 she returned as a Guest Artist, and participated as a panelist on the Creative Producers Panel during the 2005 and 2006 LA Trip.
Jennifer "Jen" Haire, 2002
Jennifer “Jen” Haire graduated with a B.F.A. from the School of Filmmaking in the Producing discipline. After graduation she moved to Los Angeles and found immediate employment on the second season of ABC’s hit reality show THE BACHELOR, and was promoted to date coordinator for season three. From there she has found work on such films as HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE, CAT IN THE HAT and CHARLIE’S ANGELES 2. Haire was given associate producer credit for her work on the feature documentary TREKKIES 2 and served as the production coordinator for such independent feature films as BOTTOMS UP, THE UNDERDOG, and the Travel Channel’s WORLD POKER TOUR HOLLYWOOD HOME GAMES. She is a member of the IATSE in Locals 871 and 161 for both the East and West coasts. Haire was a 2nd assistant director on the 2004 Academy Award-winning short film, TWO SOLDIERS, as well as the independent feature film MARCUS. Most recently she served as production manager for the short film THE SHIMMERING, produced by fellow alumni Darius Shahmir and Matt Petrosky, and for the independent feature MONTCLAIR, directed by alumnus Michael Ramsdell. Haire is currently set to return for season two of TNT’S THE CLOSER as assistant production coordinator.
Brian Melton, 2006
Recipient of the 2007 American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) John Alonzo Heritage Award. The Heritage Award recognizes outstanding achievements in student filmmaking. “This award is designed to encourage the next generation of talented filmmakers to pursue their dreams by recognizing outstanding artistic achievements by students,” says Laszlo Kovacs, ASC, chairman of the organization’s Education Committee.
Melton, who was born in Virginia and raised in Atlanta, received a bachelor’s degree from the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking. He submitted the short 16 mm film RED AUTUMN, which tells the dark tale of a relationship between an aging ex-con and a young, innocent girl. He says that the nature of the story allowed him to take risks and experiment. “I’ve always admired John Alonzo’s work,” Melton says. “This recognition is the best encouragement that I could ask for at this early stage in my career.” Applicants for the Heritage Award must be either in their final year of film school or a recent graduate. Their student film submissions must be accompanied by a written recommendation from a film school chair, dean or teacher. Entries were judged by a jury of ASC members.
“We weren’t looking for beautiful images,” Kovacs says. “We were judging how effectively the films submitted by student cinematographers helped their collaborators present their stories. It wasn’t an easy decision. There were many impressive entries.”
Tim Orr, 1998
As a student, Tim Orr wrote and directed SUMMER'S TORN which won a CINE Eagle award. Currently Orr is making his name as a cinematographer. He was the director of photography on David Gordon Green's GEORGE WASHINGTON, which was one of only two U.S. films selected to be screened at the 2000 New York Film Festival. Elvis Mitchell in The New York Times said that Orr "emerges as a star" and added: "This may be the best-photographed film of the year." Orr was picked by Filmmaker magazine as one of the "25 New Faces of Independent Film" in its summer 2000 issue.
Nick Panagopulos, 1998
Nick Panagopulos established the production company, BrainBox Productions, Inc., in Washington, D.C. A full film and video production company that also handles commercials and website design, BrainBox's first major project was the feature film FIVE LINES, which was co-written and directed by Panagopulos. NCSA alumni Craig Moorhead '99 (assistant director/editor) and Lantz Barbour '98 (assistant camera) also worked on the film, which was shot on high definition video. FIVE LINES was screened at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival, where it won the Audience Award; at the IFP's Independent Feature Film Market; and at two sold-out showings in Washington, D.C.
Jane Rizzo, 1998
A native of Rome, Italy, Jane Rizzo moved to New York after graduation to pursue her editing career. She has worked on films such as THE BEST MAN, directed by Malcolm Lee, produced by Spike Lee, with Taye Diggs; WHERE THE HEART IS, with Ashley Judd and Joan Cusack; and most recently, the PBS documentary CLINT EASTWOOD: OUT OF THE SHADOWS. She also worked on a PBS-Frontline documentary on juvenile justice.
Sherene Strausberg, 2002
Sherene wrote the music for a short film, CEREAL KILLER CEREAL, which aired on AMC in October as part of the channel’s Monster Fest, a weeklong run of 24/7 horror movies for Halloween. CEREAL KILLER CEREAL won AMC’s contest for commercial-length horror films to run during commercial breaks during Monster Fest.
Andre Bellamy, 2000
One of 10 finalists for the 1997-98 Coca-Cola Refreshing Filmmaker's Award; Winner, 1999 College Television Network's First Annual Video Awards competition.
Nick Coviello, 1998 Writer
BLINDSIDE, 1999 CINE Eagle winner
Mike Demski, 2001
Mike has been signed by Creative Artists Agency and is currently writing a game show movie for Merv Griffin Entertainment.
Jeff Fradley, 1998
Writer/Director, ILYANOVICH RASPUTIN, 2000 CINE Masters' Series Award, Amateur/Pre-professional category; Winner, American Movie Classics/Robert Wise Scholarship
James Gledhill, 1998
Writer/Director, LADY OF GRACE, 1999 CINE Eagle winner
Kevin Hickman, 1999
Kevin worked as an assistant editor on the Academy Award-nominated SEABISCUIT. He is currently working on Michael Mann's new film, COLLATERAL, as assistant editor.
Bob Jones, 2000 Adapter/Producer
FLOWERS & FRECKLE CREAM, 2000 Angelus Awards top prize-winner (Patrick Peyton Award for Excellence in Filmmaking)
Aaron Katz, 2004
Katz wrote and directed DANCE PARTY, USA, an all-NCSA alumni/student effort that was accepted by the 2006 South by Southwest Film Festival. The film was produced by Brendan McFadden (’04) and Marc Ripper (’04). Sean McElwee (’04) was the cinematographer, and Zach Clark (’04) was the editor and sound mixer.
Mark Messick, 2002
For the last three years, Mark has been very busy honing his skills as sound effects editor/sound designer on films on all budget levels. Recently completed working as Sound Effects Editor on Tri-Star's up coming motion picture release, PREMONITION, starring Sandra Bullock.
Nate Meyer, 1998
PRETTY IN THE FACE, the debut feature film from writer and director Nate Meyer, will have its world premiere in March at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival as part of the Narrative Features competition. More information about the South by Southwest Film Festival can be found at http://2007.sxsw.com/film/festival/.
Keir Randall, 1999
Keir Randall completed his degree at the School of Filmmaking in Editing. He served as assistant editor, researcher, and co-online editor for the History Channel's "Great Convention, 1948 and 1960." He was assistant editor and researcher on MSNBC's "Headliners & Legends -Laura Bush" on which he edited the show's prologue. Randall's current work includes post-production supervisor for "Art21 - Art for the 21st Century," four one-hour shows on contemporary artists in the United States for PBS; editor for "Eugenics," a short based on the International Center for Photography exhibition on Eugenics; and assistant editor on the History Channel's "Texas Tower."
Carlos Sarmiento, 1999
Carlos Sarmiento has won the Platinum Remi Award at The WorldFest Houston – Houston International Film Festival for his feature-length screenplay “Somewhere Down the Road”. This is the highest award in the Romance Screenplay category. Carlos is the founder and president of Palm Tree Pictures, Inc., a production and consulting company. “Somewhere Down the Road” is being developed as an independent film project to be produced via Palm Tree Pictures, and will be Sarmiento’s feature-length film directorial debut.
Jeff Seibenick, 1998
After graduation, Jeff started a corporate video production company with NCSA alumni Mike Lucas and Andrew Buchanan. Their clients included GlaxoSmithKline and United Way. He then signed with Refused TV, a music video production company in Los Angeles, directing and editing music video for bands like Hoobastank, Thrice and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. He also directed the short film, ADVANTAGE HART, starring Kate Bosworth, that was entered into the Hollywood Film Festival and is currently getting distribution in Europe, Australia, the US and Canada. He is now in development on two feature films.
Tony Shaff, 2001
Tony’s student film, GET OUTTA HERE, will be released on DVD by Amaze Films in November. The film won second place Grand Jury Award in the Cape Fear Independent Film Festival, honorable mention (shorts category) in the Valleyfest Film Festival, honorable mention (student narrative short category) in the UNA/George Lindsey Film Festival and regional winner (narrative) in the Student Academy Awards. Shaff wrote and directed GET OUTTA HERE.
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