Student Filmmakers Honored by National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences

During the height of the pandemic, the separation from loved ones gave Thomas Chung ’22 an idea. He was inspired to write a script for a film exploring how far people would go to spend even the smallest amount of time with those they love.

When writing the script, Chung, then a communication major at the University, told a moving story of love and loss as Matt, the film’s main character, coped with the loss of his wife, Julia.

That was the beginning of In Loving Memory, a film Chung wrote and directed at the University – and for which he recently earned an Emmy Award from the Boston/New England chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) in the “writer” category.

“Winning an Emmy for In Loving Memory meant the world to me, given all that we went through to get this film made,” said Chung. “Our crew had to persevere through a pandemic, multiple production shutdowns, and more on the road to telling this story. To have our film recognized made all of that time, effort, and energy worth it. It was the perfect ending to our experience making In Loving Memory.”

‘Grow our confidence in filmmaking’

The film also received four honorable mentions in the fiction-long form, audio/sound, director, and photographer categories. The student film Turtle Run was also recognized, earning an honorable mention in the fiction-short-form category. The film follows two girls as they journey between ponds in search of the perfect turtle. The film’s narrative explores the ghosts people keep as well as moving forward toward acceptance.

Salvatore Gullotta ’22, the film’s director, initially developed the story for his “Fundamentals of Production II” class. Originally an engineering student, he changed his major to communication with a focus on film production just one semester before writing and filming Turtle Run.

“When we found out we had earned an honorable mention, it was unbelievable to me and everyone who help make Turtle Run,” said Gullotta. “We, as a group, had the expectation we were submitting it ‘just because,’ so we didn't think anything would come from it. I feel amazing and super confident in my ability as an editor and director going forward into my next movie.”

That next movie, The Third Act, recently wrapped. It focuses on relationships and dealing with stagnation. The film’s director, Gullotta is now focused on editing, and he hopes to have it finished by the fall semester. He’s collaborating with a few music students at the University who will handle the sound mixing and compose an original score. The film will be submitted for a NATAS award in next year’s competition.

“I think the Student Emmys are a great opportunity for both inexperienced and experienced students to compete and show their work to people other than friends, family, and professors,” Gullotta said. “They allow us to grow our confidence in filmmaking and learn how to trust ourselves.”

‘Truly the experience of a lifetime’

The University has been well-represented at the Emmys over the past several years. Paul Falcone MBA, director of studio operations and media production; director of instructional and institutional media; and the students’ adviser, was very proud of their work and their success.

“This is an accomplishment that our department, and, indeed, our University can be proud of,” he said. “Our students’ work is evaluated by members of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and compared with the work of other students from across New England. These awards are a tangible demonstration of our students’ talent and dedication to their craft and art. I’m sure we can look forward to even greater accomplishments from this fine group of students.”

Chung, the director and writer of In Loving Memory, says working on the film was the “most educational learning experience” he had as a Charger. Now a videographer and editor for Defining Studios, a Connecticut-based photography and cinematic film production company, Chung says working on his own film while at the University gave him the necessary hands-on experience with high-caliber professional equipment.

“The entire process taught me how to work as the leader of a team and to help keep my crew motivated through all the hardship and adversity we faced together,” he said. “Working on In Loving Memory was truly the experience of a lifetime, thanks to my incredible faculty advisers, cast, and crew. It was the culmination of everything I learned during my time at the University, and it gave me a chance to realize my dream of telling stories through film – all while surrounded by a crew that was just as eager to tell this story as I was.”