By Melody Gilbert, Associate Professor/Documentary Filmmaker
Department of New Media, Journalism and Communications Arts
NATCHITOCHES – Laughter and tears flowed in Varnado Ballroom at the most recent documentary showcase of short films produced by Northwestern State University COMM 4240 students. Subjects of the documentaries included films about finding friends, exploring queerness, investigating parental relationships, discovering a path forward and a behind-the-scenes look at the new Demon head football coach Blaine McCorkle.
Two of the student filmmakers in class, Micah Ballard of Benton and Logan Dupuy of Prairieville, plan to submit their work to film festivals, so their documentaries are not permitted to be online during that process. Their films are about exploring queerness and parental relationships.
The screening was sponsored by the Department of New Media, Journalism, and Communication Arts and was hosted by Professor Melody Gilbert, the professor for the class.
Gilbert said that being vulnerable in front of an audience is an intentional part of the experience for the class.
“There is nothing like when my students get the chance to share their work with people outside of the class,” she said. “It’s like you are sharing a part of yourself.”
Films available for viewing on the New Media department YouTube page are linked below.
COACH – a short documentary directed by Anthony Richard of Lafayette in COMM 4240 (2024)
SYNOPSIS: An inside look at the new Demon football head coach at NSU. After tragedy struck, NSU was in need of a new head football Coach and Blaine McCorkle answered the call. Can he mend the broken team with his unique style of coaching?
LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDCfa5M4EcE
SHATTERED REFLECTIONS- a short documentary directed by Dominique Lewis of Edgard in COMM 4240 (2024)
https://youtu.be/7v-tl7OJMT4?si=IC_-D12T-xYvl6TY
Logline: Dominique comes to college, faces heartbreak, and tries to figure out who she is. How does she continue to push through?
Synopsis: College isn’t what you see on TV, things aren’t perfect, bridges are broken, and your identity gets lost. It’s all up to you whether you’re going to let that make you or break you, and I decided to push forward and show people that the pain I went through only made me a better woman.
HOMESICK – a short documentary directed by Eddy Hernandez of Fort Johnson in COMM 4240 (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A1Yy08wq4M
Logline: A college student about to enter his 20s, reflects on his abnormal childhood while trying to cope with what the future has in store.
Synopsis: Eddy’s life was never stable when growing up. Whether it was moving to a new city every few years or losing almost every friendship he’s had, there was always something in the way. With the fear of growing old and wandering forever, Eddy searches for familiarity in a world so unfamiliar to him. But as he embarks on this journey, he realizes he doesn’t have to look far.
TO: MISSED EUPHORIA – a short documentary directed by Rose Vincik of Otis in COMM 4240 (2024)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3L4NIjIs_7jFFQr-VukC6w
Logline: A poem for lives not yet lived. Synopsis: Based on an original poem, “To: Missed Euphoria” explores life’s missed opportunities. Short and bittersweet, the documentary is paired with original footage shot from all over the United States. The author themself reads the poem aloud to the audience.
