Motion Pictures

Facing certain death after the planes hit the World Trade Center, Sonja D’Amico jumps from a window. Yet as she plummets 110 stories, she is enveloped not by raging flames but by soothing thoughts of her beloved. Last week, School of Communication students and graduates filmed that scene, adapted from a 9/11 story by Stephen King, in the unlikeliest of places—the patio outside the Bill Cosford Cinema. Of course, when the 30-minute nonprofit, noncommercial film premieres at film festivals, no one will know that. No one will see that actress [...]

Ayiti Images, a traveling Florida film series, ends its successful 2014-2015 run with a double-feature screening about the Haitian experience. The concept of Ayiti Images birthed from a burning desire to educate and project an authentic voice that depicts the Haitian experience from a humanistic perspective through the use of film and discussion. The screenings will be held at six locations beginning with the University of Miami at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 20, at Shoma Hall. A Q&A session with the film’s directors about the making of the films [...]

April Dobbins, a graduate student in the motion pictures program, was recently presented with a $20,000 award from the S. J. Weiler Fund, a private foundation that honors the work of mid-career artists. The award is made in recognition of individual artistic achievement and creativity, as well as significant contributions to the arts community. The award is by nomination only, and a selection committee comprised of influential art figures chooses awardees. The 2014 selection committee included Andrea Grover, David Levi Strauss, Joshua Mack, Amy Sadao, Zoe Strauss, Julianne Swartz, Mickalene [...]

Jon Landau, described by SoC professor Dr. John Soliday as "the Edison of film technology," will be at the Cosford Cinema on Monday, Jan. 26, 1-3 p.m. The master's class will be moderated by Dr. Soliday and will include a Q&A session, film clips and advice from the producer of the two biggest film attractions in history, "Titanic" and "Avatar." This event is open to all University of Miami students.

“Storming Papa Doc,” the new documentary directed by Mario L. Delatour, is a historical reenactment that depicts the story of former Haitian army officers who, in 1958, are exiled to Florida only to return with a vengeance and a plan to overthrow Haitian president, Dr. Francois Duvalier. Animated and intercut with interviews of friends and family members of the brigade, the film explores the lives of each officer. The viewer is transported to Haiti of the 1940’s and Florida, which became a temporary incubator for the opposition. This film chronicles [...]