Clemson film program joins with pro filmmakers to make its 2nd full-length movie By Spencer Donovan 4 hrs ago CLEMSON — Cameras have stopped, shooting has wrapped and students at Clemson University have finished shooting a new feature film, “The High Note.”
The film, written by professor Sam Sokolow, dives into the story of a gifted but troubled young musician whose professor tries to prove that education and opportunity can help anyone achieve great things.
It was created as part of the Clemson World Cinema program’s summer film production course, which was funded by an education grant from the South Carolina Film Commission. Students handled all of the production, while professional actors and production staff came in for the rest.
The film has moved into post-production and editing, Sokolow said, and they plan to have it finished for a private screening next spring. Then they plan to bring the film to festivals.
Filmmaking has historically been taught by apprenticeship, through which a pupil learns by working under an experienced professional, Sokolow said.
For “The High Note,” students were assigned to work under professional department heads. The students operated cameras, created shooting schedules, arranged lighting, worked in hair and makeup and handled all other physical aspects of the production.
Orion Musial worked on the hair and makeup team but “did a little bit of everything,” including camera and wardrobe work. She said she appreciated how much attention Jessie Hamby, the hair and makeup director, gave to the actors.
“No matter what was happening on set … when the actor was in the chair getting their hair and makeup done, all of the focus was on them,” Musial said. “Whatever they needed, they got.”
Musial, a political science major, grew up performing and acting but set those passions aside when she went to college. When she saw Sokolow’s call for students, she was excited for the opportunity to scratch that creative itch again.
The crew had long days — one Friday they worked from 8 a.m. to midnight — and had to contend with unpredictable elements such as bad weather. Musial said they learned how to create something from so many moving pieces.
“This was the most educational class I have ever taken, and there wasn’t a single textbook,” Musial said.
Sokolow compared film production to manufacturing. He said it’s important to physically produce a film instead of just learning in the classroom.
“Nothing replaces the actual experience,” Sokolow said.
Sokolow said “The High Note” will go through post-production in Spartanburg before a private cast-and-crew screening in March. They will then apply to festivals with the goal of holding a world premiere at one of them.
The course comes at a time of tumult for the U.S. film industry, which has suffered from major productions moving away from hubs like California and Georgia and oftentimes out of the country.
The Upstate isn’t known as a hotspot for filmmaking, but state and local officials are trying to change that.
In the past year, at least four films have been shot in the Upstate, according to the S.C. Film Commission, with actors like Alec Baldwin, Ed Helms and Jonathan Majors.
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