As a proud member of the SU English department, I know that many SU students are burgeoning cinephiles. One need only look at their Letterbox’d profiles to see inspired, profound criticism of a variety of different movies. But what about those who desire to make movies themselves? While SU has offered plenty of avenues for thespians, creative writers, and musicians to develop their craft over the decades, aspiring filmmakers have not had the same opportunities. That is, they have not until this semester, thanks to the work of third year Sierra Barajas and senior Audrey Thimesch, co-presidents of one of SU’s most exciting new clubs: SU Filmmakers. 

A group of about 24 strong, SU filmmakers is a passionate group of auteurs learning about the ins and outs of film production. The idea for the club came to Barajas and Thimesch over the course of their trip studying abroad in London. “We were studying one day together,” Barajas recounted, “and we just brought up the topic of film, and how she [Audrey] was really interested in film, and how I used to do film in high school, and I told her about my sitcom. We watched it, and were like, ‘Why don’t we have this at Southwestern?’”  Thus, she and Thimesch put together a club for students interested in filmmaking to explore the craft for themselves.

Both co-presidents are drawing from their own artistic histories with this project. While Thimesch lacked the opportunity to do film in high school, she’s been involved with theatre since she was five years old, and is looking to transfer her experience from that domain over to this one. “I never knew quite how to make that transition between the world of theatre, and the world of film”, she remarked. By contrast, Barajas was involved with filmmaking pretty heavily in high school, having the opportunity to compete in several contests. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity”, she said. “But I wanted to do something more hands on, more my own, you know? And that’s what this thing is… It’s not for a class, it’s for fun.”

One certainly gets that impression from attending a meeting. I went and saw groups of students working passionately and respectfully with each other on projects, with one group storyboarding for a queer romance film, and the other a creature horror film set on SU’s very own campus. Creativity and laughter abounded. As Thimesch said, “We really wanted to provide students with a comfortable, creative space where they can come with unique, original ideas and be supported by their peers…” So far, it seems they have done so.

Students are not thrown into the deep end of this creative space without guidance, however. “This is a very beginner-friendly club.” Barajas explained. “At the beginning… we do a mini-lesson. And then, we do film pitches.” She explained that, during this time, people suggest ideas for movies and volunteer to take up an idea and produce something outside of the club. “It’s an opportunity for people to be creative and dabble in film,” she summarized.

Barajas and Thimesch later explained how such a comfortable, free, and beginner-friendly space is necessary for aspiring filmmakers to work through the overwhelming feelings of a starting project. “It’s always that feeling of ‘Oh, I don’t know anything right now, so I can’t start.’” Barajas explained. “But I think people don’t realize how easy it is to pick up an iPhone and make something, you know? It’s easy, but it’s just that reassurance and that motivation… that’s what we want to provide for people.” Thimesch added how scary it can be to express creative desires, how there’s a fear of how others will view you and your ideas. But she reiterated how the club is for everyone, whether you have “no experience in film or all the film experience in the world”, and that ultimately it is a safe space for the experienced and inexperienced to come together and make something special. 

In addition to tailoring the club to beginners and experts, they also highlighted the significance of giving voices to female filmmakers at a college level. “We are women’s voices,” Barajas said of herself and Thimesch, “and we want to make room for other women’s voices too, because especially in the film industry, that’s not something you see often. So even just at the college level, it’s nice to have.” 

In terms of their goals for the club, Barajas expressed the desire to have a sort of mini-film festival at the end of the year. “We want to have a couple of footage, enough to where we can have an event where we sit down in the media room—everyone, open invite—and we just present what we worked on throughout the semester.”  Overall, students are excited about this opportunity to put together something and show it to their peers. As club member and junior Ansh Tripathi said, “It’s really exciting to be a part of something that’s new, that’s quite bold, and, you know, [I’m] really excited to have something to show to the campus.”

As a passionate group of young creatives helmed by two equally passionate cinephiles, SU Filmmakers gives students exciting opportunities for exploring another dimension of artistic expression they were not able to do as easily before. If you are interested in joining SU Filmmakers, they meet Tuesdays from 6 to 7 PM in Olin 111.