Hi there! My name is Vera Howard, I am an independent filmmaker. I’ve established my own film production company called “Arev Studios, LLC” in the year 2021. Here is a link to my website: https://www.arevstudiosllc.com. I am currently enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College to obtain my Associates Degree of Arts and plan on completing this path in the year 2024.

Filmmaking has always been a strong passion for me. Ever since acting in stage plays back in elementary school, I knew I had a place in this industry. From there, I started writing and creating my own short films that elevated me into filming my own videos. I continue to create my own content till this day. Now I am looking forward to expanding my talents with a professional company, such as GCFC, that will give me that opportunity.

I hope to bring a positive light on different races of people through the lens of diversity, equality and inclusion. Passion and dedication are only a few important aspects that a person should have in this industry. I believe having knowledge from earning a degree in this field, would help certain individuals, but most individuals thrive on their own creativity. Being creative is one of the most important attributes for a team on a production project. Soon, my hopes are to become a well-known Director in this film industry. Here is a link to my YouTube channel where my video production work can be viewed.

My name is Reniyha Barrett, I go to Saint Martin de Porres High School located on the East side of Cleveland. My birthday is October 16th and I am soon to be 17 years old. I am a Junior and next year will be my last year in high school.

I like to go out with friends and have fun, I like spending time with my new puppy I just got, I love going to work at my part time job at Burger King , and I love to sleep. I have a mom, a dad, 2 sisters and a brother (I am the middle child) – me and my dad have the same birthday, so I get along with my parents pretty good. Some of the movies/TV shows that I am watching right now are a TV show called All American and Riverdale on Netflix and a movie called 5 Feet Apart. I love Netflix, but sometimes I watch Youtube or Hulu.

Recently former GCFC intern, filmmaker, and NYU Student Lindsay O’Keefe gave a talk at the Lakewood Public Library about her films Alive Day and Youth Challenge: The Power of Inclusion. Both films examine what it’s like to live with a disability and disability rights, a topic which O’Keefe is very passionate about.

https://www.lakewoodpubliclibrary.org/lindsey-okeefe/

Congratulations to former GCFC intern Margot Reid for joining the NBCUniversal Media Page Program as an East Coast Page this summer!

The Page Program is a 12-15 month rotational learning and development program that gives early career talent a well-rounded experience and exposure to the media industry. Margot previously was a Script, Research, and General Production intern for NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, a Remote General Production Intern for The Public Theatre, and a Business Development & Digital Intern for NBC’s Peacock streaming service and Late Night with Seth Meyers.

GCFC Summer 2020 intern Lindsay O’Keefe was accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts for Film. Her documentary, Alive Day, won the Best Local Documentary Award at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival, Outstanding Non-Fiction Award at the Short. Sweet. Film. Festival, and was accepted into the Seattle International Film Festival. Alive Day also appeared at a dozen other festivals. Check out her interview featured on USA Today , her interview with Spectrum News 1, and her interview with Cleveland.com.

Luce feels trapped inside himself; unable to connect to the people around him. His family doesn’t see who he truly is; they see his female body. But, when Luce visits his grandfather, Dan, their identities become entangled. Present moments remind Dan of past events and he slips in and out of time, seeing Luce as the man with whom he once had a love affair. The social detachment that Luce and Dan share brings a moment of latent connection, allowing Luce to reveal the person he wants to be.

We are so proud of intern Margot Reid!

After her internship with us in summer 2019, intern Margot Reid went on to land multiple internships. She was a Script, Research, and General Production intern for NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and a Remote General Production Intern for The Public Theatre. Currently, Margot is a a Business Development & Digital Intern for NBC’s Peacock streaming service and Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Way to go, Margot!

Former GCFC Intern Madison Van Buren, currently a senior at Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD), recently updated us on what she’s doing now, including the progress on her senior thesis film, a narrative short titled Portrait of My Midwest: a Thesis Film.

Madison will receive her BFA in Film and Video this coming December (2020).

For my senior thesis, I wanted to make a love letter to everything I’ve ever known. For context, I grew up with my 2 cousins. We became best friends in the way cousins in close-knit families often do. One of them is still my best friend, the person I trust the most. The other is addicted to heroin. This story isn’t an ending or a beginning – it is a middle. It’s about where we are now. I try to put myself in my best friend’s shoes some days and think about what it’s like to lose touch with your only sister.  My best friend lives in grey space – there’s no telling where we as a family are going to end up. Addiction isn’t linear, recover isn’t guaranteed. Seeing the ones you can’t live without deteriorate, with no way to stop it, changes you. Changes us. I’m making this film to let you know how it feels.

I am still currently accepting donations. For post-production audio services, I am in need of $1,350 to compensate the engineer I’d like to hire. Post-production audio services will need to be paid by April 24th. 

If anyone would be interested in donating to my film, they can contact me directly through by THIS email, or through my website at madisonvanburen.com.

Since I’d like to enter the short into the festival circuit, it will not be publicly available online. However, those who donate $20 or more have the option of a private access Vimeo link to the project when completed.

A CCAD public premiere is slotted for September.

Hello! My name is Brielle Trussa, and I am a current senior Film Studies student at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH. I live on campus during the school year, but originally am from Brunswick, OH. The idea of being able to intern at an organization focused on film and development, located so close to where I grew up and now attend school, is a dream! I feel so fortunate to be even a small part of the amazing work the GCFC is doing for film in Cleveland.

Following my graduation in May of 2020, I have plans to attend a graduate film program to further my education in the industry and gain new skills for my future career as a producer. I am especially interested in producing films/television shows that highlight underrepresented issues and voices, projects that are “socially conscious,” and helping to make productions more sustainable, as well as producing works created by women. My mom is a public high school art educator, which I have come to realize has greatly influenced my values and interest in social justice.

Apart from my studies in film, I am an avid reader and active musician, performing in various concerts at my school as a vocalist and guitarist. My largest responsibility on campus is the work I do as the Producer of PRISM, a student-led non-profit performance organization that encourages collaboration among the five art forms (music, visual art, theatre, film, and dance) while promoting inclusivity between our liberal arts and conservatory students. As Producer, I lead an executive board, consisting of twelve members, along with upwards of 100 students at a time for our three large events per year. PRISM’s final event is a showcase of performances that revolve around an issue of social importance; this year’s theme has to do with protest songs and being active in making positive change in our democracy (which is especially relevant with the upcoming presidential election!)

As a film studies student, I feel a certain responsibility to stay up to date with new films and shows, however, I find myself going back to my tried and true favorites from the past quite often, including Billy Elliot, Never Been Kissed, and Lady Bird. If you’re reading this, Greta Gerwig, call me! I am also a big fan of shows like The West Wing, New Girl, and The Good Place. Some of my favorite films and shows that have recently come out are Little Women, Knives Out, Parasite, Fleabag, and Unbelievable. Since music plays such a large role in my life, I think it’s important to highlight some of my favorites here as well, including Maggie Rogers, Brandi Carlile, Elton John, Sara Bareilles, and Lawrence.

I have wanted to intern at the GCFC since my freshman year of college, and now in my last semester at Baldwin Wallace, I finally get the opportunity to be a part of it! I am especially excited to gain more hands-on experience working in a production office, learning from the valuable expertise of the GCFC team, and learning new skills that will lend to my interest in the pre-production process. Simply being in this film environment directly helps to make me a better filmmaker and producer, as well as refining my skills being a part of a team! I’ve been looking forward to this experience for quite some time, and I can’t wait to get started!

If you’re ever interested in attending a PRISM event on BW’s campus, feel free to contact our organization on social media @bwuprism or me directly @brielletrussa for more information.

Hello, my name is David Dolansky and I am a lively, active person with a strong zest for life and new experiences! Growing up in Cleveland, I have always had a passion for our sports teams and bringing business to our wonderful city.

Wanting to stay close to home, I decided to study at Case Western Reserve University where I am currently a Junior studying Marketing and Theatre. I like to spend my time acting in productions at Case or in the community, working on my motorcycle, running or lifting, and planning events for student government. I spent a semester abroad in London and I hope to eventually go back and live there one day. Some of my favorite movies include Whiplash, Saving Private Ryan, and The Grand Budapest Hotel, and I am currently watching The Politician and The Witcher on Netflix!

My love of film and acting has been evident all my life and I’m happy to be an intern at a place that fosters growth, positivity, and creativity. I am hoping to make some good friends, learn more about the many different parts of the industry and how to navigate them properly, and aid the staff in bringing more films to Cleveland! I’m most excited to go out on location scouting trips and to help out in any way possible.

After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in film. Whether its production, acting, marketing, or directing, I believe the film industry is an environment where I can apply both my creative psyche and explore my business interests.