Making Their Mark

Making Their Mark Junior Georgia Carls and Jean Jackson ’17 recognized for short films

Touch, a Love Story

As long as Georgia Carls can remember, she’s been creating videos. It started with short films featuring her family using her iPad. Then she moved on to creating a YouTube channel and working with St. Mary’s Bella Vista, the school’s video publication.

The simple homemade videos have morphed into polished short films. Carls’ short film, “Touch,” will be recognized by Indie Memphis Youth Film Festival on Sept. 18 at the Malco Paradiso. In August, she premiered the film at the Buckman Performing Arts Center on campus. WKNO host Christopher Blank hosted a Q & A with Carls afterward. “Touch” is a love story about a man and his wife as they age from young children to adults. “It’s a story of love, loss, and continuing. I was inspired by Daft Punk’s song ‘Touch.’ Whenever I would listen to it, I could see this vivid story in my head I felt the need to share,” Carls said. “I hope people feel all the emotions I put into this project. I hope they feel the love between the two characters, the grief of the man, and the acceptance between both of them.” Carls says the support from St. Mary’s faculty and staff pushed her to explore her passion. “Ms. Bielskis ’89 [Bella Vista sponsor and Upper School English teacher] taught me a lot about creating on a team and working with deadlines,” Carls said. She also interned with St. Mary’s Philanthropy Office last school year. “This

Junior Georgia Carls’ film premiered at the Indie Memphis Youth Film Festival at the Malco Paradiso.

gave me the opportunity to hone my skills and meet people who could help me learn and grow. Because of St. Mary’s, my journey with film and videography has been successful, and I am so grateful.”

Carls hopes to study film in college. Follow St. Mary’s Facebook and Instagram pages to see Carls’ short film when available online.

The Nest, a Gentle Call to Action

Jean Jackson ’17 says St. Mary’s nurtured her confidence. She funneled that experience into a short film, “The Nest,” about taking a leap of faith. Jackson was recently honored as one of four emerging filmmakers by Beats By Dre for the Black Futures Program, an initiative that highlights black creative voices and art. “‘The Nest’ is a gentle call to action to take a leap of faith even if it is scary. When we have the courage to venture into the unknown, the freedom that comes from that is often so fruitful and so full of beauty,” Jackson said. “We can choose to stay where we are, in a space that is comforting yet stagnant, or we can explore whatever else is out there and grow into an even stronger version of ourselves.” Jackson says the encouragement she received at St. Mary’s helped her find her voice as a woman. “I grew up in an academic space with so many amazing, strong, and courageous classmates and teachers. I never really realized how much the sense of community I found in the women around me or how those relationships bled into the films I make,” Jackson said. Jackson had the full support of the Beats team from beginning to end as she created “The Nest.” She traveled to LA to work on the post-production process, which involves editing and sound design. Jackson said it was a treat to have Carmen Freeman ’17 serve as a production assistant during the shoot.

Jackson was joined by her family and St. Mary’s friends as she debuted “The Nest” this summer at the Hattiloo Theatre. “Seeing as Hattiloo is an epicenter for black art in Memphis, I felt so honored that my directorial debut would take place here,” Jackson said.

Jean Jackson ’17 was honored as one of four emerging filmmakers by Beats By Dre for the Black Futures Program, an initiative that highlights black creative voices and art.