Film Outside the Frame is LMU SFTV’s annual student film festival and awards ceremony which honors both current and former students, including distinguished alumni, in all areas of filmmaking. This year’s festivities were held in the Steven J. Ross Theater on Warner Bros. Studio Lot. As you can see in the photo gallery below, it was our very own red carpet event.
As a freshman, attending this event was — hopefully — like catching a glimpse of my own future. On this night, I was only an observer, but it isn’t difficult to imagine how rewarding and exciting it would be to be one of the nominated students nervously waiting for their category to be announced. Of course, it’s an honor just to be nominated, but I’m pretty sure, winning doesn’t suck.
Before the awards, we had an opportunity to tour the Warner Bros. Museum. We walked among mannequins outfitted in the wardrobes from movies such as The Matrix, The Dark Knight, The Departed and The Town, along with an entire floor dedicated to the Harry Potter franchise. I have to admit, it was also fun standing next to the full-size characters from Where the Wild Things Are. I know some people feel as though once you’ve looked behind the curtain, filmmaking loses some of its mystique but, for me, it’s a constant reminder that making movies is making magic.
Tonight, two very special and extremely talented alumni received awards recognizing their extraordinary accomplishments in film and television arts. Francis Lawrence ’91, director of films such as Water for Elephants, I Am Legend and Constantine received LMU’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He’s also a noted music video director who won a Grammy for Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance. Francie Calfo ’89, President of Imagine Television, who has been responsible for television programming that includes Lost, Alias, CSI, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Ugly Betty over the course of her career was the recipient of LMU’s Outstanding Achievement in Television Award.
After watching this year’s nominated student films and seeing the talent, skillful storytelling, and technical expertise, I’m proud and honored to have the opportunity to spend the next four years making films at LMU.
