Residents of Shenango on the Green, Presbyterian Senior Care in New Wilmington, Pa., recently teamed up with student filmmakers from Westminster College to bring their collaborative tales to life in a series of spooky short films.

This was the first time students from the Digital Moviemaking course recruited storytellers from their New Wilmington neighbors. Fourteen students created five short films using the narrating talents of residents to capture the suspense of a campfire scene brought to life through films.

Stories included “False Face” about a frightening scare at a library, a haunted house in “The Catholic Ghost of Oklahoma” and a spooky graveyard scene for a group of friends in “Cranberry Road.”
 
Michele Rhule and first-year student Jacob Reutzel worked on “The Paw” together. It was a story about a talisman that holds evil powers when asked for a wish.  
 
“It was fantastic working with Michele Rhule, not only because I knew her from the Foundation Drawing class this semester, but also because she was so excited to participate. She certainly has a proficient talent in storytelling which really made the film,” said Reutzel, a creative media production major from Cranberry Township, Pa.
 
Bringing two generations together to work on the art of movie making provided a fun and creative outlet for everyone involved in the project.
 
“It was enjoyable to collaborate with our neighbors from across the street in creating a scary story.  The film students were helpful and positive.  Combining the talents of two different age groups was interesting and poignant,” said Rhule, Shenango on the Green resident.

“It was inspiring to see how certain residents responded to the project with their creativity and by putting in their own time aside from when students would meet with them. It’s great to see how much the residents enjoy time spent with students. It gave them a role and purpose in this project by asking for their involvement and guidance,” said Michala Gallo-Macklin, director of lifestyle engagement at Shenango on the Green.
 
Westminster student Rachel Summers and her partner created, “Errand for a Friend,” a story about a party held in a barn that soon becomes only a memory when the barn mysteriously disappears. Collaborating on the movie led to a deep and memorable friendship for the pair.

“Working at Shenango on the Green was an experience I will never forget. My partner was so excited to work with us and came up with the entire story on her own,” said Summer, a junior environmental science major from Harmony, Pa. “I think this project was so important because they were so eager to meet us and get to know us as students. It not only brightened their day but ours as well. I truly think I gained a grandma by working with her.”

When movie production was complete, students and residents gathered together at Shenango on the Green to watch their stories come to life on the big screen. They enjoyed a packed house full of movie-goers and friends.  

“All in all, it was a wonderful experience and we look forward to working with Westminster again,” said Gallo-Macklin.

For more information on Westminster’s School of Communication and this collaboration, please contact Bradley Weaver, lecturer in the School of Communication, at weaverbl@westminster.edu or visit here.

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