By Taylor Wilkerson
Senior Jacob Bean took first place at this year’s Georgia Communication Association Student Film Festival with his film “We Once Were.”
The film tells the story of a young man who struggles to overcome a tragic accident in his life. Footage for “We Once Were” was shot in locations throughout the United States, parts of Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, all compiled during Bean’s travels in 2013.
Bean wanted to make a video that recapped his year, which included backpacking through Europe.
“I was going through all the footage I had captured and realized I had to do something with it, so I did. I made a film that I wrote, directed, edited and starred in,” Bean said.
He also wanted to create this film to impact others. Bean alludes to some of the struggles he has been through that are seen in the film. His hope is to inspire others to persevere through trials.
“I want to help others if they’ve been through the same thing,” Bean said. “They can watch the film and be able to grow.”
Bean’s film was screened on Feb. 20 at the Georgia Communication Association’s annual conference at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Every year, the organization’s film judging panel selects the top films from college students who submit across Georgia.
Dr. Cassandra Johnson, chair of the Communication Arts Department, was not surprised at Bean’s win, based on his drive both inside and outside the classroom.
“We are proud of Jacob. He decided to enter the film contest of his own initiative and did everything on the film himself,” Johnson said. “I know the kind of student he is, and I know the hard work he put into the film.”
Due to Bean’s dedication to grow in his film work, he was unable to attend the screening of his film Feb. 20. Instead, he was competing alongside three other Shorter students in the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association convention’s 36-hour film challenge in Nashville, Tenn. His honor came with a plaque and cash prize.
Completing this award-winning film for the GCA film festival adds to Bean’s already impressive film resume. He has worked on over 50 film and TV projects, including Vampire Diaries and The Hunger Games. He has worked in front of the camera as an extra and behind the scenes as part of production crews. Most of Bean’s work in film has taken place in Atlanta.
Making his own film is just the beginning of what Bean aspires to do in the future.
“As a filmmaker, I want to be able to impact people’s lives,” Bean said.
This summer Bean is interning as a production assistant with the crew of the IFC television show “Portlandia” based in Portland, Ore. He is also pursuing more film roles and an agent.
