2022 Merit Scholarship Recipient: Tristan Crawford

Describe the work you submitted for merits.

These were all made during the first semester back in person. All three were projects done in Craig Rice's Narrative Film class. First I wanted to see if I could make a good video, that looks good and flows well. I think I did that with It's all over.

With Dead Living, I wanted to do something with zombies for some reason and wanted to use them as a stand-in for how we all felt these past couple years—just isolated and dead.

For Void, I wanted to make a full on short beginning to end, using pretty much half the Media Center gear it seems. I also wanted to try some sort of superhero thing that plays with the all too common trope of "What do I do with these powers even if I don't want them?" I also needed to figure out a way of doing the super stuff without it looking too janky.

The main thing I’ve noticed about each video I make is that it's fine trying to make a huge idea like zombies or superheroes, you just got to figure out a way to make it happen. This seems like a skill everyone at MCAD learns: to get things done.

Why did you decide to come to MCAD?

At first, I was a little hesitant because I really didn't care to get an education purely on just learning what a camera is and what a shot is. It was during my first tour of the school and hearing how the school mostly seems focused on the creativity aspect became the determining factor for me. I'm also a fan of exploring things outside my major like animation, where I can take those skills and lessons into my filmmaking which I ended up doing with Void.

What are your plans for your senior year? And beyond?

The plans are to keep on working on my own personal projects, but also hopefully interning at a video production house in Minneapolis somewhere. The goal is to find a company whose content I enjoy getting a job with them after graduation (if it's the right fit). I'm a director so being able to direct creative pieces sounds like fun. Once I'm pretty confident in my directing I'd like to apply for my master's in a specific directing program at one of the schools in L.A. such as the American Film Institute, University of Southern California, or Chapman.

Favorite thing about college life (so far)?

The ability to connect with various types of people who all are trying to achieve something just like me.

What's the best thing you've got from MCAD's free shelf?

Found a stroller I used for a video where I tried to adopt a half lamb, half human hybrid.

What inspires you?

Movies have just always been a part of my life. I feel like films and shows are so ingrained into so many people's lives—it’s the things a lot of people talk about when they see each other. Those compilations of scenes and characters have such a vast impact on people, how they feel, how they see the world, how they want to see the world—who wouldn’t want to try to be a part of that? I didn’t always know I wanted to make films, however, I did always know I wanted to be a storyteller. It didn’t occur to me until a few years ago that films were the thing I wanted and needed to be a part of.

Do you have a favorite piece you've made? Describe it!

Void, it's just my best work to date. I think it looks great, I know people think the comic book effect is pretty cool. I had fun making it with all my friends, it just helped me get more confident in all my filmmaking.

Anything you're obsessed with at the moment?

A24, the film studio. The past year they've just been releasing fantastic work. It's really inspiring to see that pretty much any type of idea is allowed to exist as long as there is passion involved. Films like C'mon, C'mon, X, Red Rocket, The Green Knight, Lamb, Minari, and my favorite film of the last few years Everything, Everywhere All At Once.

What are you working on next?

I have two projects I'm directing. The Caller, which is a horror comedy parody of Scream is that is currently in post-production, has been my most professional shot so very excited for that. It's written and produced by MCAD student Patrick Vincent. Boozehound is an action comedy that is using a whole stunt team to get done. It has been a very great opportunity to work on that project. I'm fortunate enough to have both projects filmed by MCAD student Guillermo Bonilla.