The University of Rhode Island’s FLM 445 class has wrapped up production on the 80s rom-com-inspired short film, “Geeky in Pink” and entered the post-production phase.
“Geeky in Pink” follows high school student Beverly and her secret crush on her best friend, the catholic, guilt-ridden Mina, according to executive producer Keith Brown. When Beverly learns he r crush is asked to the prom by qu arterback Jason Collins, Beverly must find a way to tell Mina how she feels about her.
Brown co-teaches the FLM 445 class with film professor and executive producer of “Geeky in Pink” Nick Corsano. Brown said that it took many hands to create the film.
“Although there are 18 people in the class, there are numerous other people that have been working either on set or behind the scenes doing [public relations] and graphics and things of that nature for the movie,” Brown said
Brown acknowledges that many challenges came with the film’s production. Brown and the class agreed that more time should have been spent in the pre-production phase.
“We should have tried to pick the script earlier, we sort of spent too much time reading, talking and revamping and stuff like that because there was stuff needed [to do],” Brown said.” So it was a short period of time.”
Brown also said that there were problems with scheduling days on set involving casting. Brown and Corsano had to schedule around the tech rehearsals of some of the play performers on set.
“We had to reschedule a lot of things which ended up creating a 6 a.m. call time for Saturday morning,” Brown said. “The theater students had to be out by 11 a.m. so they could get to their tech rehearsal for the play.”
As the students jump into the post-production phase, Brown said that there is still much work to be completed and challenges may be faced.
“Once school starts again, it becomes really challenging for the students to work on this project as well as now with their new classes,” Brown said. “T he post-production process is going to be a lot of the work [that] happens over Christmas break, and then more of the finishing touches [and] polishing stuff happens in January and February. ”
Producer, assistant director, script supervisor, and intimacy coordinator Lainey Sumner said she faced challenges on set as well. Sumner was the only crew member who responded for comment.
“The challenges I faced were mostly centered around scheduling, Sumner said. “We faced several obstacles right before our production weekends, which is a part of the business. The film industry is full of overcoming these obstacles and putting out these fires, so I was always busy and not bored. ”
Even with roadblocks ahead, Sumner said her team persevered through the challenges together – experiencing many learning opportunities as a group on set.
“The team was an extremely collaborative, creative and passionate collective that worked day and night to problem-solve together,” Sumner said. “Every single time we had an issue or some sort of ‘fire,’ I knew that I could draw upon my team to find a workable solution that everyone was on board with. That was absolutely a huge strength in this crew. ”
Sumner said she gained different forms of experience given the many roles she took on.
“Working alongside this crew for four days, 10-12 hour days, really allowed us to be closer than we ever were before,” Sumner said. “Collaborating with people that are my best friends and new friends alike, who were passionate about the filmmaking process was something that pushed me to do the best work I could. ”
Brown plans to have an opening night showing for “Geeky in Pink” and other featured short films at the Avon Cinema in Providence, Rhode Island in April 2025.
For updates regarding the film, visit the Geeky in Pink Instagram page at @geekyinpinkfilm.