Troy Jackson ’17 Covers Pittsburgh 48 Hour Project in TV Special

Troy Jackson ’17, senior Film Studies & Media Production major, created and hosted his own television special providing insight into the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Project. The television special showcases Jackson’s short film as well as other entries from Westminster College students.

The 48 Hour Film Project, the original and oldest timed filmmaking competition, features the works of people from all over the world. Competitors have only 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a movie based on a randomly selected genre.

After participating in the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Project in 2015 as part of assignment for a video production course, Jackson decided to enter again and cover the event for an independent study course led by Brad Weaver, Broadcast Communication Faculty at Westminster College.

Jackson spent the semester producing his entry while creating his television special about the competition. He provides an in-depth overview of the competition and incorporates interviews to tell the stories behind the entries of other Westminster students. Jackson also provides genuine reflection and understanding of what he learned as a participant in the competition and how the experience benefits a young filmmaker.

Students enrolled in the single-camera video production course were required to compete in the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Horror Project (48HHP) last October as a class assignment. The students entered the competition as teams and worked through the production process together. Jackson worked separately with his own crew and budget.

“My goals for this assignment teaches students how to work in a production team, apply good storytelling, and engage in best practices for video production,” says Weaver. “This assignment is meant to immerse [my students] in an experience focused on the importance of meeting or beating deadlines”. 

Judges in the 48HHP honored Jackson’s Oct. 2016 entry, ‘Fever,’ with awards for best cinematography and best acting.

Jackson’s behind-the- scenes documentary is available on Vimeo as INSIDE the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Horror Project- A WCN Special. 

For more information, contact Brad Weaver at weaverbl@westminster.edu or 724-316-9618. 

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