“The Company We Keep” by Jason Silva ‘26 movie poster
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Sarah Rolka, Asst. Features Editor
On Oct. 2 and 3, Jason Silva, ‘26, was featured in the Below The Line Film Festival for his original short film “The Company We Keep.” The screening was held at the historic Church of the Transfiguration in the Episcopal Actors Guild Hall.
Silva’s short film is a psychological thriller about a lonely college student, Peter (played by friend and fellow alum Sam Wofford), who is haunted by a manifestation of his isolation named [REDACTED]. The film goes on to explore how Peter confronts this figure and contemplates both [REDACTED] and Peter’s desires.
Silva discussed his film’s college setting and explained how its central theme reflects experiences shared by many college students.
“It was a college campus because it was the easiest place to shoot, but also it made sense to the story,” Silva said. “Especially when you’re a freshman in college, it can be really difficult to meet your friends. That kind of isolation, and specifically loneliness, can really be something that gets in your head on its own… almost like the demon is a representation of his sadness.”
INDIEPICTURESBLOG.COM / COURTESY
This year was the Below The Line Film Festival’s fifth season of showcasing and celebrating independent films and filmmakers.
The festival, produced by Chill Bucket Productions, has been an event for “the artists, technicians, and craftspeople who bring stories to life behind the scenes. Dedicated to the ‘below the line’ professionals… the festival showcases innovative short films, insightful panel discussions, and opportunities for creative collaboration,” according to the film festival’s website.
Chill Bucket Productions was founded by brothers Jeff and George Rocco with the addition of Dakota Martin. They have produced the festival over the last five years.
Jeff Rocco discussed with The Quadrangle his experience producing the festival for another year, and how the event has grown over time.
“[I loved] everything,” Rocco said. “We intentionally keep our festival small… and so because of that, we hoped to foster more connections between filmmakers, actors [and] crew members. … And I feel this was the first time where a lot of people besides the directors came, so it really felt like there was a lot of energy in the room.”
Martin echoed Rocco’s remarks, noting that each year offers opportunities to identify what works and what can be improved. She also observed new connections and networks forming throughout the festival.
“It was really awesome,” Martin said. “It’s our fifth year doing this event, so every year I feel we learn more [and] we find out what works more. This year, we [had] the most filmmakers present. An overwhelmingly awesome feeling to have them all there, and to see them all connecting with each other and networking.”
Michael Grabowski, Ph.D., a professor in the communication, sound and media arts department and Silva’s mentor, commented on his role in the film’s production.
“My role in that class, [field and post-production], is a managing producer, and so I encourage students to come up with their own ideas [for their short films],” Grabowski said. “I’m guiding them, steering them back on track if they go off the road, offering them resources to help realize their vision, showing and teaching them standard practices in the industry so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel when they’re making their film.”
Grabowski also discussed his experience mentoring Silva throughout the film’s production as part of the class.
“Silva was a [communication and] media production student in our program, so I had him for a few classes,” Grabowski said. “I try to cultivate talent in all of the students that come through the program. With Silva… he had an artistic vision, and that’s really what carries a lot of people far, is knowing what you want and how to put it together.”
Silva additionally commented on his production timeline, which was only two weeks. He then went on to discuss some of the struggles that he and his team faced during filming.
“We had constant recasting,” Silva said. “It was pretty messy in terms [of time]… That’s also a part of being a filmmaker, overcoming [this obstacle] because even outside of being in a classroom, [while] creating a film, you’re going have those conflicts. It’s all about how you get past [them].”
Additionally, Martin shared some concluding thoughts about the festival.
“It’s been nice to meet all of these new creatives and build that community too,” Martin said. “It’s been cool to see ‘incremental baby-step changes,’ but each year we figure out what works; that seemed to be something that worked.”
Silva mentioned that the experience he had with this festival will carry on impacting further films he creates with Wofford and others.
“I’ve been to the one at our school, The Sixth Borough Film Festival,” Silva said. “I’ve been to one other film festival when I was younger, then this one [Below The Line] would be my third. Honestly, it was a great experience. Currently, [with] a friend of mine, Sam Wofford, we’re working on a new project [and] once we finish that, we want to submit to every film festival we can because of the experience we had at this one.”
Silva also spoke on his overall experience with the film festival and meeting like-minded creatives. He complimented the producers of the festival for the work that they put into the whole affair.
“You get to see a lot of films that these other filmmakers created… you’re meeting a lot of nice, genuine people that are really interested in the work that you’re doing and what you have planned next,” Silva said. “The directors of the film festival, they also are very personal with you and really try to get your name out there… It’s just a really beautiful experience.”