Knights, camera, action: Mount students gain experience from film productions on campus

Photos by Brianna Bosco

At Mount Saint Mary College, real-world experience isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a guarantee. And for Digital Media Production majors, those valuable connections and training are now happening right here on campus.

In the past two years, these opportunities have been made possible through a new initiative spearheaded by Instructor of Digital Media Production, Merle Becker: working with location managers to invite production companies to film scenes on campus. 

Over the past two years, Becker has served as the point person between the college and these film productions, securing several opportunities that have been filmed across campus, including Paramount Pictures’ The Accused, the independent feature film Divine Blood, Fox Entertainment Studio’s American medical comedy drama Best Medicine, and Netflix’s The Four Seasons.

“When I started full-time, I thought this would be a great way to generate additional revenue for the college while also involving my film students so that they could get some on-set experience,” Becker explained. “It was a win-win for the production, the college, and the students.”

Before teaching film and television at the Mount, Becker used to work in network television and on feature sets. Over the years, she’s maintained a lot of those contacts, and a few years ago, a location manager she knew reached out and asked about a classroom and other locations at the college.

From start to finish, the process of getting these production companies to film at the Mount is one that involves several members of the college community. 

Becker works with the location managers to show them locations on campus brainstormed by campus faculty and staff, occasionally sending pictures ahead of time before negotiating a rate and contract. Even once the shoot is over, Becker is the one making sure that everything has been returned to its proper place. 

Becker stated, “[These shoots] really wouldn’t be possible without the help and dedication of the faculty and staff who help. And of course, none of it would be possible without the understanding and cooperation of the entire Mount community.”

After the production is set up, Becker informs her Digital Media Production students about the shoot and has them sign up for a time slot to help with the production. They can choose to be involved in the pre-production, which includes aspects of set design and sometimes painting and helping to set up props, or they can be on set during the shoot to shadow the various production personnel.

“Working alongside such inspiring professionals showed me that, no matter where you come from, you can find your place in the industry,” explained Marina Cilento, a sophomore in the Digital Media Production program. “The crew members on set all came from different backgrounds and lived very different lives, yet still all ended up at the same place; on the Mount Saint Mary College campus filming a TV show. If that is my starting point, there is no telling where this field will take me next!”

Most recently, during the shoot of The Four Seasons, several Mount students spent the first part of the day on set. They had the opportunity to speak with various crew members who took the time to explain their roles and offer guidance on how to pursue those positions. They also had the added bonus of meeting the stars – Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, Erika Henningsen, and Marco Calvani.

These film shoots have given several students the opportunity to observe a major film production first hand. Several students have made valuable connections with working production assistants – the typical entry point for on-set careers – and with local productions, including Choice Films.

Becker added, “I hope that talking with members of the on-set crew sparks an interest  – or even a lightbulb moment  – about what they might want to pursue in film. Often, you don’t really know what role fits you until you’ve actually been on a set. My hope is that these experiences help them discover what they love and envision a future in the film industry.”