The Story of the Film
“The Faculty” is a Kafkaesque, dark satire about the perils and foibles of academia. Ironically, it was created in conjunction with the film curriculum at California State University, Fullerton, where the director was a professor. The three-semester course included 16 weeks on each part of the process, pre-production, production, and post-production.
Because we shot in the summer of 2021, we were able to make the film on a real university campus – one that was closed to the general public but wide open for our crew. Having access to an empty educational institution was both a blessing and a curse. We had to follow COVID protocols and SAG guidelines, wearing masks, getting tested, etc., adding an extra layer of complications to an already complicated process. And when we needed student extras there were non to be found!
We brought in seasoned veterans and industry professionals to head each department. The students rotated amongst all of the departments, learning everything from craft services, makeup/hair, costume, art, props, as well as the technical skills of camera and sound. Many ended up in front of the camera, serving as extras or bit parts as the script called for them. We’re lucky there were so many who were good-natured enough and talented enough to give us their efforts.
Because we were there to practice as well as to preach, we tried to set a good example. We hired with diversity in mind both in front of and behind the camera. Of course, all of the administrators are white men, but we were trying to make a statement there.
In the end, we created this collaborative piece, over 3 years in the making. If you’ve ever taught at or attended a college, we hope you’ll find it poignant and “relatable” in the best possible way.
Was it wise to make a satire about a film school while teaching there? Perhaps, not, but we did it anyway. It was a way to get our students the best hands-on production experience as possible, while still getting a movie made.
Synopsis
“The Faculty” is a dark comedy that follows a film professor at a not-so prestigious university. She is just trying to get through her frustrating life of having to watch terrible student films.
Suddenly, the vague, shadowy bureaucrats who run the University have sent for her. There is an unspecified charge, or an accusation, or a complaint…we don’t know what. It starts getting more important, severe, even frightening. Her history at this school convinces her that this is just another pile of red tape and toothless scolding. Wait long enough and it will all disappear.
It doesn’t.
The other faculty members have their own problems. Her ineffective Chair, trying to worm his way up the administrative ladder, desperately seeks a patsy to take the blame for procedural screw-ups. Professor Bautista, the sudden recipient of money and resources, mounts his dream film project a pretentious art-porn film. Professor Marnie sinks into the background as her class attendance falls. And Professor Wolfe finds himself desperate and lonely when faced with the young, attractive student body.
Who thrives in this environment? The phonies and the suck-ups. Professor Howard’s classes are like pep rallies, as he cheers on his students with no teaching to back it up. And Professor Janey fails her way up. Our hero tries to navigate all of this, as she goes deeper and deeper into the underbelly of the university.
Will she be able to keep her job? Or will the nameless and faceless powers from “The Tower” get the best of her?
Acknowledgements
This film is only possible due to the countless people who donated their time, efforts and equipment, as well as the companies who gave us discounts and free goods and services.
The film features art by:
Brian Dewan
D.W. Frydendall
Koreangry
Little Cecilia
Naked Rabbit
Stinckers
Tony Millionaire
Rose Yuen
Special Thanks to:
Cristine Ackel
Robert W. Davis Jr.
Ashley Elias-Pedroza
Cormac Funge
Corey Gibbons
Alex Gomez
Eunsoo Jeong
Todd Kaplan
Lori Koontz
Olivia J. Laird
Daniel and Julia Lee
Lars Ulrich Lee
Shane Liem
Aaron Lovell
Noleen Aris Lovell
Rod Maxwell
Ellen Jin Over
Paul Rabwin
George Rizkallah
Jeff Saldin & Lexi Saldin
Greg Stone
Storybook Video Services
Xudong Sun
Steven Weissman
Candace E. Young
Jinx Cat
Luis De Tagle & Terry Meadows at CinePower & Light
Boyan Stanivuković at T-Stop Inc. Camera Rentals
Tawny Tran & Zach Hunter at Dynamic Rentals
Greg Smokler & Matt Sklena at Creative Solutions Los Angeles
Thanks to Duck Donuts, Krispy Kreme and especially Los Sanchez restaurant for helping to feed our hardworking cast and crew.
