Filmmakers Take Pride in Student and Staff Production

By Anna George

Digital filmmaking professors and students alike spent this past spring in the preproduction, production, and post-production stages of the student-written film titled Orgullo, meaning “pride.”

ENMU film professor Jon Barr directed the film that was written in one of his classes last year by alumna Brianna Delgado (BS 15). The film tells the story of three generations of New Mexican women, the oldest trying to reconnect with her estranged daughter by babysitting her granddaughter.

Filled with folk tales like La Llorona, Barr said he felt it was important that New Mexican culture was highlighted in the story.

Digital filmmaking major Ramiro Garcia prepares lights as the key grip (lighting technician) on Orgullo.

“Especially being in New Mexico, I thought it was important to tell a New Mexican story,” said Barr.

The movie was shot with an entirely ENMU oriented crew. From the director of photography to the grips to the location manager, every position was filled with either ENMU staff or students, the majority being students.

Chelsea Nunez, who is primarily an actor in the theater and film program, was also involved as a grip, or on-set lighting technician. She said it was nerve-wracking to be out of her comfort zone but that she learned a lot from the experience.

“I didn’t know much about the lighting equipment, but I learned while I was on set and I think that’s the best part about this field is that you get to be hands on,” Nunez said.

Film professor Shelly Short acted as assistant director on Orgullo and enjoyed seeing the students apply what they had learned.

ENMU senior Avery Pelzman sets up a shot with child actress, Faith Jasso, during the final day of shooting for Orgullo.

“No matter what, I am always in an advisory role with my students. That being said, it was nice to just let go and let them do their job and show what they knew,” Short said.

Avery Pelzman, an ENMU senior and the director of photography, said the set was very professional.

“I just saw it as another job, another chance to make a story come to life and treated it, as any project, with the utmost respect and professionalism,” said Pelzman.

Barr said that the student’s professionalism and efficiency really stuck out to guests on set such as the professional actors.

“I was very pleased with how well everyone worked together so it is good to know that as a teacher I have taught my students those skills,” said Barr.