The end of the semester is a busy time for any senior. Many students are completing their capstone projects. However, for Scarlett Fried and Eli Kaltenecker, it is the culmination of months of hard work, as they are both screening their respective films at The Athena.
Early in April, Fried, a senior studying media arts production, screened her film “Rooted” at The Athena. Wanting to create a “love story that was like a drama on a farm,” Fried drew inspiration from multiple films, including “Little Women” and “Dirty Dancing.”
Fried is a self-described “theater girl” who loves musicals. Her passion for music extends to “Rooted,” as the identity of the film is informed by music.
“That was like a big aspect for this film, to have a lot of music in the background,” Fried said.
When asked about her experience screening “Rooted” at The Athena, Fried said it was “such a blast” to see her name on the marquee and watch her film on the big screen. “I've only watched it on my laptop until I saw it with a whole crowd of people.”
Kaltenecker, a senior studying film, has not shown his film, “The Misfired Affair,” yet. The film is a period piece inspired by works such as “Chinatown,” “Carol” and “The Asphalt Jungle.”
“The Misfired Affair” centers around the female protagonist, Evelyn Gardner. Kaltenecker shared via email Evelyn’s character was “built from my own family history and my perspective on domestic violence.”
The idea for Kaltenecker’s film “began in a sophomore screenwriting class,” and took off from there. Likewise, Fried’s idea for “Rooted” took shape in her junior writing class. Fried shared that while she did not write the final script, what she wrote for class was the basis for her project.
Both students had advice for incoming freshmen interested in filmmaking.
Fried said that it can be hard to go on set if a student is not engaged with the story.
“This was my favorite film project to work on because it was something that I was passionate about,” Fried said. “Getting on film sets that you are just as passionate about the script makes it so much better.”
Kaltenecker also had a similar message for freshman film students.
“If you do not know what stories you want to tell yet, go out and experience life,” Kaltenecker said in an email. “Those stories will find you soon enough.”
Fried also emphasized the importance of taking on any and every role available to students during the filmmaking process.
“I've done producing, directing, screenwriting, even though I don't like it, but I did it for the class,” Fried said. “ I've done grip, I've done sound, I've done set and props, like, get on every role you can on the set because it helps you become a better director.”
As they prepare to graduate, both students reflected on their journey as filmmakers.
Kaltenecker said the School of Film showed him the possibility of what he could achieve.
“The program threw me onto countless sets and into situations where I had to rely entirely on my intuition,” Kaltenecker said in an email. “Through that grind, I discovered the specific paths I wanted to explore.”
Fried shared similar sentiments.
“I was like, I want to be a film producer, and I joined the Media School, and here I am, making and directing my own film,” Fried said.
Before studying at Ohio University, Fried did not have a background in film or camera experience.
“Everything I learned [was] because of being in the School of Media Arts and Studies,” Fried said.
Fried said the support from her advisor, Brian Plow, “was just amazing.”
“The Misfired Affair” premieres at The Athena, Friday at 7 p.m.
