Open Mic Night in the CMFT Showcases Student Talent

By Tia Porter

Students who create physical art can hang their paintings in the halls of the Visual Arts building or publish their work in any of the Purchase magazines. For filmmakers, showcases are a bit different. A video art and experimental film night was held on Nov. 13, offering students the chance to share films they had made during the semester. 

Floris Suchite and Clidus Sims, waiting outside the CMFT theater. (Photo by Jordan Pommells)

"My partner and my friend submitted short films for this," said Krista Morlino, a junior majoring in new media. "This is new media adjacent, and I wanna support more new media events here at school."

Students who major in visual arts, film and media studies were invited to share their projects, which were shown in the Center for Film, Media and Theater (CMFT). Clidus Sims, a junior majoring in playwriting and screenwriting, submitted a film they had made for one of their classes. Sims was inspired by their personal experience with mental health and hoped to explore the struggle in a way that others could relate to.  

"It's called 'The Man in the Woods'," Sims said. "It's about someone who goes into the woods with like, this $30 knock-off camera, and he meets a supernatural entity there."

Sims was accompanied by their friends, who joined the handful of attendees in the CMFT theater.

The film night was hosted by Rina Vatovci, a senior majoring in new media and minoring in visual arts. She spent the past few weeks organizing everything; she booked the theater in the CMFT and arranged for snacks to be provided. 

"As I host more of the video open mic nights," Vatovci said, "I think it will essentially stay the same. Students share their video work, and people, regardless of sharing, can just come and view students' work in a fun, carefree environment. Depending on how future events go, I hope this might turn into a club where we could utilize more resources from the school and reach a larger audience."

Vatovci explained that these events will likely continue to be held on Thursdays, with the next being scheduled for Dec. 4.

"I think this is a great idea, and we're gonna do more of it going forward," said Julia Carlson, a junior majoring in new media and visual arts. 

Carlson and Judah Angert. (Photo by Jordan Pommells)

Carlson worked with Judah Angert, a senior new media major, to make sure the event ran smoothly. Together, they controlled the audio and projected films onto the theater's screen. 

"One thing I want to mention," Vatovci said, "is to anyone out there, know it might be a bit daunting, but sharing your work is the best feeling. As our presence grows, the strangers you may have once shared your videos and films with can become friends, and that is one of the main goals of this new program, so please come and share!"

Floris Suchite's short film, "The Making of a Doll," playing in the CMFT theater. (Photo by Jordan Pommells)