The Film, Media, and Communications Society calls for action-oriented people who have clear goals and desire to foster a creative community.

Spotlight

By Amanda Contessa / Matthew staff | Edited by Kayla Muller

On Wednesday, 2 October, I had the opportunity to attend the first workshop hosted by the newly reinstated Film, Media, and Communications Society at John Cabot. The workshop was heralded by Professor Erika Tasini, who spoke about screenwriting and her journey into the world of film, providing students with essential building blocks on pursuing a career in filmmaking. 

Film, Media, and Communications Society was originally founded at John Cabot in 2017, before being shuttered during COVID-19 in 2020. President Aurora Caruso, hailing from Belgium, spoke to me after Wednesday’s meeting, saying, “art has been a major part of my identity.” She struggled to find a place where she could meet other creatives to pursue and make art; so, she took matters into her own hands. 

With encouragement from Vishwa Parmar, Paula Gasser, and Elias Rodriguez – Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, respectively – the society was successfully reopened this semester, with big plans in motion. Professor Anthony Stagliano serves as the society’s advisor, with additional support for the Communication and Media Studies Department.  

For the 2024-2025 school year, the society is focusing on film, specifically in areas of pre-production, writing, and casting for a film shoot in Spring 2025. “We are thinking of doing a fictional short film and music video,” said Parmar.  

The Film Media Communications Society is a space where creativity and critical spirit coexist, thanks in part through the support of the Communications Department. It is a society that is built on a sense of community, which is fundamental to making creative projects together.  

Aurora’s statement speaks greatly to a comment Professor Tasini made earlier in the evening – “To say ‘I want to do this’ is relatively easy, but to actually do it takes time and commitment.” 

The Film, Media, and Communications Society calls for action-oriented people who have clear goals and desire to foster a creative community; the end goal is to create something everyone is passionate and proud of. “Art plays a very valuable role in society; films, music, art, all of these things keep humanity intact,” said Vishwa.  

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This article was updated on November 13 to improve clarity.