Every year, Syracuse University brings students to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Unfortunately, there are always more candidates than positions available, so only a select few get to go.

So when Keith Giglio, an television, radio and film professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, decided he wanted more students to experience the festival, he pushed to take the festival to Syracuse.

This weekend, The Sundance Ignite program will do just what its title says: Ignite. It will ignite a flame in all who attend the events, as they will be fueled with new creative energy and ideas.

On Friday, there will be a screening of the film “Cronies,” followed by a question and answer session with the film’s writer, director and producer Michael J. Larnell. This is an amazing opportunity for students to not only see a new and exciting film, but then enter an immediate dialogue with the film’s creator. Students can ask about anything, from the writing of the film, to what it’s like to be on the festival circuit. You may even hear about working with another producer of “Cronies,” Spike Lee.

The next day, April 2, there will be a short film master class taught by three film professionals: writer and director Kelly Reichardt, Sundance Institute short films programmer Mike Plante, and Sundance Institute Film Forward Initiative manager Bethany Clarke. Additionally, there will be screenings of Sundance Short film winners “Thunder Road” and “Jungle.”

This masterclass is a must-go for any film lover — and anyone who wants to break into the industry. Hearing from people who have made it is an invaluable opportunity. Not only will one get to learn about how to make the perfect short film, but there will also be relevant examples to view and discuss.

This is an excellent platform for students to experience hands on learning without worrying about a grade or a project. Instead, they can just enjoy the experience and soak in as much as possible.

The Sundance Film Festival always features excellent content and superior talent, and the Sundance Ignite Program looks to continue the tradition. By bringing first rate films and talent to SU, students here will get to see first hand what makes Sundance such a special festival.

“Cronies” will not only entertain students, but it will also inform them, and the question and answer session is a rare opportunity to put a face on such a complex product like a film. The master class is an opportunity to soak up as much information as possible, and will promote the collaborative nature of Syracuse University.

The school is giving us the resources to become greater artists and professionals, and by using them, we’d truly display scholarship in action.

Erik Benjamin is a sophomore television, radio and film major. His column appears weekly in Pulp. You can email him at ebenjami@syr.edu or follow him @embenjamin14 on Twitter.

Published on March 30, 2016 at 8:10 pm