SFUAD Finishing ‘Shoot the Stars’

They were participating in the inaugural “Shoot the Stars” program at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design.

The program gave students the opportunity to work with trained professionals while making a short film. The actors participating in the program were Wes Studi and Luke Kirby.

“It’s been thrilling to work with the students on this project,” Kirby said. “It’s refreshing to be part of the process where it’s not all about the business. This was all about the art and learning why we love it so much. I think it encourages curiosity.”

Kirby is a Canadian independent film and TV actor whose credits include leading roles in Sarah Polley’s acclaimed feature “Take This Waltz” and the upcoming Sundance Channel TV series “Rectify.” Studi has played key roles in films such as “Avatar,” “Heat,” “The Last of the Mohicans” and “Dances With Wolves.”

Beginning on Monday, crews were separated into two teams led by two student directors, Brett Shapiro and Katelyn Peer.

From left, Paula Amanda, associate chairwoman of the film school at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design; actors Luke Kirby and Wes Studi; and Brett Shapiro and Katelyn Peer, both student directors, talk about the “Shoot the Stars” program. (Eddie Moore/Journal) 

The teams each focused on a script written by two SFUAD students — Andrew Rodes wrote the script for original TV pilot “Boston Post,” while Zach Moore wrote the Web series “Max Dangerous.” Production finished Friday, and the films will head into post-production for a Feb. 28 premiere at the university’s Oscar event.

Shapiro and Peer said coming into the project was overwhelming because they didn’t know what to expect and had never directed professional actors before.

“At one point, you would see Wes on stage and get star struck,” Shapiro said. “But after awhile, Wes began to do what he did best and brought out a lot from us.”

Studi found being on set was refreshing and brought back some fond memories.

“What struck me about the two films is the nostalgia of the real sets,” he explained. “Then you got to see the future of film and how directors are working in the digital age and that of the green screen. It’s amazing to see how far this industry has come. It was quite a contrast. In an era of change, we get to see how we fit in it all.”

Chris Eyre, chairman of the film school at SFUAD, said the university started the “Shoot the Stars” program to give students a firsthand glimpse of what it takes to make a movie.

He said the experience gives students a running start into the industry.

“Each experience on set helps build up confidence for film students,” he said. “It’s important that we push our students in this area. We’re also grateful that these actors have lent us their talent and time to get our message across.”

Kirby admired the drive of the students while making the films, because many of them were in the midst of finals week at the university.

“During breaks, they were studying or working on other projects,” he said. “After working long days on set, they were going home and finishing up their work for classes. That takes a lot of dedication, and I think it’s great.”