Every Fall semester, Loyola Marymount University presents an opportunity to the School of Film and Television students to study abroad in Bonn, Germany. They returned to campus with more than just memories. A group of 19 students came together last week to unveil the stories they had crafted, each with a unique lens on the world they had immersed themselves in.
Each student took advantage of the opportunity to showcase a topic of interest and how it translates in an international setting. They had technical training within various screenwriting and production courses leading up to their abroad departure that allowed them to learn about the relationship between art and personal experiences.
After the conclusion of the Bonn study abroad program, students wanted to create a space where they could showcase their passion projects and the experiences they gained. Through workshops like guides to lighting and cinematography training, students created documentary shorts that were shown in the Mayer Theater for a two-day screening.
The program is conducted through Akademie für international Building (AiB) where the students receive hands-on experiences to set them up for filming their documentary shorts.
“I am immensely proud of each and every person you see here,” said Lisa Pohler, one of the AiB program managers who flew all the way from Germany for the event. “It’s a tough semester with a lot of classes but I truly think it is the journey of a lifetime and I enjoy nothing more than seeing these people grow.”
Loyola Marymount University Professor, Glenn Gebhard, has been with the program since the beginning. Now, 21 years later, he still beams with pride when introducing the students and their films. “It’s definitely not easy making a film, so these students deserve a pat on the back.”
The films presented by the LMU students varied from discovering underground raves to reshaping relationships with God. The Mayer Theater was full of pride and warmth from friends and family who traveled to showcase support for their loved one and the 18 new friends they made during their time away.
“It was challenging at some points,” said Emma Lenny, a Bonn program student. “You might start to feel burnt out, but the final product that highlights the people you met and the people who helped you along the way, make it all worth it,”
The students were able to use Loyola Marymount University as a gateway into different parts of the world. “I went into the program knowing what I wanted my documentary to exemplify,” Madison Denney said, a Bonn study abroad student, who dove into LGBTQIA+ acceptances and perspectives in an international setting. “But I didn’t know what the final outcome would exactly look like, and that was the fun part.”
Each of the student cinematographers played a huge part in the creation of one another’s films. The recognition and attribution at the end of each film was just a small symbol of the trust and bonds that were built during the Bonn program.
“I love seeing the finished product and the hard work paying off,” Pohler said, “So if anyone is thinking about joining any LMU abroad program, all I can say is ‘do it.’”
