Portfolio Explanation for “The Arts of Motor City” (2020 Michigan Student Film Festival Entry)

Created by: Brooke Gollan

Introduction: In 2020, I had the privilege of participating in the prestigious Michigan Student Film Festival (MSFF) hosted by DAFT. Although my film didn’t win, it was a significant achievement that allowed me to push the boundaries of my creative expression and filmmaking skills. This project, titled "The Arts of Motor City," represents a unique and personal vision that I aimed to share with the festival's audience. The festival provided me with invaluable exposure to a community of young filmmakers and industry professionals, sparking my passion for creative innovation and inspiring me to continue my filmmaking journey.

Festival Context and Overview: The Michigan Student Film Festival stands out nationally for providing a public venue for the work of K-12 students, encouraging young filmmakers to showcase their talents on a larger stage. The festival’s mission is to recognize and support students who are passionate about media creation by offering constructive feedback and giving them a platform to advance their skills. Each year, submissions are reviewed by a panel of educational and media professionals, and feedback is provided to help filmmakers grow and refine their craft.

As a participant in the 2020 MSFF, I was able to not only compete in this respected event but also receive valuable insights from experts that allowed me to reflect on my approach to creating graphics. This opportunity to present my work and receive professional critique played a crucial role in my development as a media artist. The recognition and feedback from the festival reinforced my commitment to filmmaking and inspired me to continue pushing my creative boundaries.

Creative Vision & Process: For "The Arts of Motor City," I aimed to create a piece that stood out for its originality, storytelling, and visual style. This experimental poster uses bold contrasts of colors and creative graphics to represent my vision of Detroit. It combines the dynamic energy of the city with elements of its rich artistic culture, blending traditional art forms with the modern creative spirit that defines Detroit today. The visual contrasts capture the city’s vibrant, diverse culture and its pivotal role as a hub for artistic expression.

The story, centered around Detroit and its creative aspects, provided an opportunity for me to experiment with digital manipulation, geometric patterns, and mixed media. Each element was designed to reflect the energy, resilience, and innovation that the city embodies, blending abstract and real-world imagery to create a visual representation of Detroit’s artistic pulse.

To bring this idea to life, I made use of the Adobe Suite. The production process was both challenging and rewarding, as it pushed me to think critically about each shot, sound, and transition to convey the story compellingly. The experience of working under the time constraints of the festival submission also helped me refine my ability to focus on the most important elements of the film and ensure that each frame contributed to the overall narrative.

Why This Film Is Important to Me: While I did not win at the 2020 Michigan Student Film Festival, the experience was valuable to challenge me to refine my skills, embrace constructive criticism, and grow as a filmmaker. Being part of the festival also gave me the chance to be part of a community of like-minded young media artists, all striving to develop their craft and make meaningful contributions to the world of filmmaking. The experience has motivated me to continue creating and pushing my limits with every project. Participating in DAFT was a defining moment in my early creative journey, and it shaped my understanding of filmmaking while validating the work I had put into creating "The Arts of Motor City”.

Impact and Recognition: Being part of such a prestigious festival provided me with significant exposure to the world of media professionals. The Michigan Student Film Festival allowed me to have my work reviewed by industry professionals, a vital step in my journey as a media artist. The encouragement and recognition I received from both peers and professionals validated the work I had put into creating "The Arts of Motor City" and sparked my passion for future projects. This recognition fueled my desire to continue developing my graphic design skills and to apply the lessons learned to future endeavors.