Seven teams of Cal Poly students debuted short films at the Cal Poly Short Cuts screening on Monday night. The event was a part of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, an annual week-long showcase of independent film.
Six of the teams worked under the guidance of interdisciplinary studies lecturer Randi Barros and art and design professor James Werner to create films “Pen Pals,” “Squares,” “Teddy,” “Flatline,” “Career Fair” and “Girl Neighbors.”
Barros said the production teams come from winter quarter classes ISLA 340 Storytelling, ISLA 341 Cinematic Process and ART 483 Narrative Video.
The students pick ideas that resonate with them and produce everything themselves, Barros said. Each film team had specific roles that included writing scripts, casting actors, designing posters and editing audio.
The final film of the night, “You Jump I Jump,” was created by the Mustang Film Society, an ISLA department film club.
On the night of debut, the line was out the door and seats in the Fremont Theater became packed. Barros and Werner gave a speech before the lights dimmed and the films aired.
Each film blended audio, video and design, telling stories of connection, hardships and discovery.
The audience showed support for the filmmakers as cheers filled the room during beginning- and end-credit scenes. After all seven films played, members of each team made their way onto the stage for an open Q&A session.
Ioan Street, an environmental science senior, said his favorite film was “Flatline” because of how the film flowed. “Flatline” is a film about a boy who struggles with grief and detachment after his father passes away.
“I just liked how smooth it was,” Street said. “It was like pieces of a puzzle going together.”
CJ Taylor, a psychology senior, was another fan of “Flatline.”
“I really liked the story and how it was shot in general,” Taylor said. He also enjoyed “Girl Neighbors” because he found it funny.
“Girl Neighbors” was a favorite among many guests for its college storyline and funny moments. It follows the story of two college students who invite their new neighbors over to play Wii and eat cookies.
“I thought it was really funny, very witty,” said Katelyn Crossman, a public health junior. “I liked how they took the two guys and one was clearly affirmative, and the other was doing mouthwash with some whiskey.”
Lina Massa, a marine science junior, said “Girl Neighbors” and “Career Fair” were her favorite films of the night because they were relatable stories to her as a college student. “Career Fair” is set at a Pilipino Club party, where two best friends fight over support as they compete to be club president.
Biology sophomore Mio Khuyag also expressed her appreciation for the acting in “Career Fair.”
“It was really awesome to see all of my friends on the screen,” she said. “They did really well; I didn’t know they could act like that.”
Allayah Phan, a business administration junior, was another fan of “Career Fair.”
“That was one of my favorites because I felt like it showed the rawness of college clubs,” she said. ‘Teddy‘ was also really good; it got me emotional.”
“Teddy” is a heartfelt film between two siblings who develop their bond while being separated through split custody.
Phan was not the only one feeling emotional, as forest and fire sciences junior Meghan O’Malley shared that she was brought to tears during “Teddy” and “Pen Pals.”
“Pen Pals” captures the sweet relationship between a young girl and her grandmother through the letters they send to each other.
The following film “Squares” is set at Linnaea’s Cafe, where two people respond back and forth through journal entries before meeting.
O’Malley said that she found out about Cal Poly Short Cuts the day of the show and was inspired to buy a ticket.
“It was so cool to see, it was Cal Poly-made films,” O’Malley said. She gave a shoutout to the crew of “You Jump, I Jump.”
“You Jump, I Jump” was also architecture freshman Kaui Delossantos’ favorite. The story follows the ups and downs a high school friend group experiences throughout a game night.
“It made me really miss my high school and middle school friends a lot and all the dumb things we would do together,” she said.