COMM/THEA 495: Storytelling and Film: Senior Experience
Department of Communication & Theatre Arts
Old Dominion University
This collaborative ePortfolio documents our Spring 2026 filmmaking partnership with Next Generation Storytellers. Supported by the ODU Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Letters Dean’s Office, and the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts, the project archives our films while highlighting student learning, creative collaboration, and professional growth.
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Storytelling and Film Senior Experience seeks to provide students with practical techniques of the filmmaking process, with an emphasis on hands-on experience through work-based learning. Under the mentorship of industry experts, students led pre-production, production, and post-production phases while creating final products to be entered in regional and national competitions.
Students will actively engage in all stages of the filmmaking process, ranging from script development and analysis, production planning, shot composition and framing, and working with actors and crew. The course integrates industry-relevant practices, providing opportunities to work with film industry professionals.
Lights. Camera. Learning.
Class Learning Objectives
Analyze and Apply Directing Principles
Identify and apply the core principles and practical techniques of the filmmaking process, from pre-production planning to post-production.
Collaborate Effectively in Film Production
Demonstrate effective communication and leadership skills by collaborating with peers and crew members during all stages of the filmmaking process, from pre-production planning to post-production.
Create and Evaluate Original Film Projects
Develop and critically assess original films, utilizing the hands-on experience to reflect industry standards and creative storytelling techniques.
This learning experience is guided by a team of dedicated faculty and industry professionals who believe that students learn best when they create, collaborate, and take bold creative risks.
Department of Communication & Theatre arts film faculty Carolina Conte brings her expertise in teaching and mentoring emerging filmmakers, while Jacob Young, Trent Garrett, and Richard Dane Scott of Next Generation Storytellers share their professional insight and hands-on guidance from years in the industry.
Along with the students, these instructors created a learning environment where students are not only supported but also challenged to discover their voices as storytellers.
We invite you to meet the storytellers behind this course, and learn more about the students whose creativity and budding expertise make this project come alive.
Next Generation Storytellers
Disrupting Hollywood Through Academics
At Next Generation Storytellers, we amplify the voices of young creators by providing access to transformative storytelling opportunities. Through immersive programs and guidance from industry professionals, we empower students from underrepresented communities to explore their unique perspectives, develop their creative potential, and share their stories with the world.
Leveraging the power of experiential learning, we fuel dreams, equip students with hands-on industry experience, and provide a launchpad for the storytellers of tomorrow.
Real Life Experience
By providing access to real-life job experience and expert mentorship, we illuminate paths to Hollywood that have historically been dim. We envision a future where the stories of these students are not just heard, but celebrated, and their creative journey in the classroom is only the beginning.
The Hidden Power of Arts in Education
Imagine a world where every student has the opportunity to share their story and creative vision with the world, regardless of their background. Immersing students in the arts fosters self-expression, confidence, and a sense of purpose. When young people discover their passions, they are inspired to pursue them, sparking enthusiasm that enriches their education and fuels their potential. This isn't just an ideal — it's a reality supported by research and proven to make a lasting impact.
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Academics and Film Making
The NGS platform offers students the capability to write, direct, act, and produce, all guided by industry experts, building not just their skills but also their confidence and resilience. Our hands-on approach disrupts conventional paths to filmmaking, creating new routes paved with equal opportunity, practical experience, and groundbreaking innovation.
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