What We’re Good At, a short film produced through the Film Society student organization at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, recently earned two awards at the Star City Film Festival in Lansing, Iowa.
The film—produced by Joely Hurkman, a senior radio TV film (RTF) major from Oshkosh; and written and directed by Thatcher Lemond, a senior RTF major from Ripon—won the awards for best student short film and best costumes.
Beth Hubbard
Beth Hubbard, associate RTF professor, advises the Film Society and said the opportunity for the students to attend a festival and even take home some awards was an inspiring experience and it validated their hard work and acknowledged their talents.
What We’re Good At was written by Lemond in the fall semester and the eight-minute short was filmed in a single day in February. It’s the story of a down-on-his-luck conman attempting to swindle an unsuspecting woman. The small cast includes Lauren Terrill, who graduated in May with an RTF degree.
The festival showcased 32 films and 11 scripts, plus opportunities for the students to network with industry-level filmmakers.
Hurkman said the festival experience was a blast.
“Though it was small and located in the most remote city I’ve ever experienced—there wasn’t even a McDonald’s or Starbucks—it was a great time,” she said. “The hospitality of the festival organizers was nothing short of amazing.”
Photographed (above) at the festival from left to right are actor Dillon Moore; Melissa Mitchler, senior RTF major from Neenah; Lemond; Hurkman; Lauren Terrill, who earned a RTF degree from UWO in May; Kayla Curtis, sophomore RTF major from Medford; and Keith Bivian, senior RTF major from Fond du Lac.
“This was a big win for our each of our members and the club as a whole,” Hurkman said. “Many of us graduate soon and we can only hope that this type of recognition pulls more students towards filming and keeps this club running.”
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