Special Thanks

I would like to thank the Sun Screen Film Festival for all their support. If it is one thing the team producing the showcase learned, it was that support is not easy to come by. The Programing Director for Sun Screen, Tyler Martinolich, was aseptically helpful, as he not only spoke at the event, but was also a key player in creating the evening's most anticipated moment. The Sun Screen board of directors choose one film, from the show, to represent the Art Institute of Tampa at next years festival in the "Rising Filmmaker Showcase." Martinolich presented Jay MaGee's film, Behind the Bulb, with the Official Selection award, in an act that truly legitimized the show. Martinolich is a former instructor at AI, and despite his departure from the school he is still dedicated to the success of his past students. If it were not for the involvement of the Sun Screen Film Festival the AI Showcase would have been an isolated event, but because of the festival's participation the student's work will be seen by a much larger audience.

In addition to Sun Screen I would like to thank Theo Harris (second to right) and Matt Jimenez (right) for their involvement in the show. Jessica Collins (center) helped from day one and edited together student interviews that ran during the showcase. The show's production director Jay McGee (left) shouldered much of the stress that preceded the show, and he, like all four students, played a critical role in producing the successful night.

It is also important to mention that the Showcase would not have been possible without the help of the Art Institute of Tampa's Dean of Academic Affaires Ruth Semlesberger, the Digital Film Department's department head Ted Jastremski, and the film professor who oversaw the show, Dr. John Muehl.

Robert S. Pearson

Showcase Founder