UCSB’s Pollock Theater will be showing the premiere of four engaging and topical short films tonight produced by college students involved in the Blue Horizons Summer Program for Environmental Media.
The free showing, scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, is the culmination of a nine-week summer program, where students were able to learn the essential elements of documentary films – including developing a film’s core idea and story, to examining its impact on its audience. The students were able to examine various critical issues of the area’s oceans and seashores before developing their own short documentaries, according to a news release.
The featured films include: “Seasick;” “Cannabis Row;” “Beyond The Gates;” and “The New Normal.”
The film “Seasick” was produced by Land to Sea Productions. The producers of the film are Sarah Nunn, Jillian Li, Daisy Johnson, Nick Ely and Miranda de Moraes. The film examines the harm that residents are causing to the local dolphin population and how their ecosystem is now coming full circle and impacting the overall environment.
“Cannabis Row” is produced by Whatnot Productions. The producers are Charlie Poukish, Katherine Swartz, Thomas Carloss, and Henry Windle. The short film tells the story of how cannabis has transformed Carpinteria following the passage of Proposition 64. The film examines the laws that changed to allow the rapid growth of cannabis and how that affects the town’s legacy.
“Beyond The Gates” was produced by Fifth Eye Productions. The producers are Aldan Dillon, Cameron Leingang, Ily Logeals, Kate Madigan and Quinn Wilson. The film explores the controversy for the public push for access at the beaches along Hollister Ranch. The film highlights concerns from local ranchers about opening their private property and the public’s desire to coastal access.
The final film, “The New Normal,” was produced by NEAT Productions. The producers are Taylor Fuchs, Elizabeth Joaquin, Annika Kao, and Nidhi Khanolkar. The short film displays how Montecito exemplified resiliency and community values in the wake of the Montecito debris flow in January 2018, while also looking at whether the community is prepared for future catastrophes.
The program is co-sponsored by the UCSB Carsey-Wolf Center, the Associated Student Coastal Fund, the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, the Department of Film and Media Studies, the National Marine Sanctuaries Channel Islands, Pond5 and UCSB Summer Sessions.
The event will be followed by a reception in the Michael Douglas lobby.
