Two aliens disguised as humans are banished from their home world and sent to live on Earth as punishment. Sound familiar? The Short Filmmakers Club’s current project may feel reminiscent of Syfy’s “Resident Alien.” For fans of this series, this plotline may bring to mind Alan Tudyk’s character, the alien whose misadventures teach him the socially acceptable customs of human behavior.
Seniors and founding members Alexey Greim and Rob Jusko are working alongside their fellow club members on a short comedy called “Err to Be Human,” in which two aliens learn what it means to be human and have freewill.
Founded during the 2024 spring semester, the student-run club works collaboratively with members to produce a short film each semester. “It’s a grueling job, to be honest, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Greim, current club President.
Having personally invested $5,000 in gear for the club, Greim said that this is truly a student-led club.
Source: Contributed by Alex Greim, ’25
“I see a whole group of students who are committed, and they’re taking business level positions as if they are getting paid to do it. I am extremely proud of them for doing that,” Greim said.
The filmmaking process starts in the writer’s room. Club members pitch their ideas and discuss to come up with a single story that kicks off storyboarding and scriptwriting sessions. After several meetings of planning, they move on to prep days and filming. Members operate camera and audio equipment, lighting, and direct all themselves, teaching new members the ropes along the way. The final product comes together after editing.
“A short film could really be anything under an hour and a half. The ones we make are typically between 10 to 20 minutes long,” said Jusko, former club President.
Last semester, the club hosted the Winter SHU Film Festival, where they opened the doors of the Martire Theatre for SHU community members and those in the surrounding Connecticut area.
“We put together a conglomeration of short films and skits. It’s totally open to anyone in our region of Connecticut,” Greim said. The next SHU Film Festival is expected to be May 3.
Junior James Shandrowski, current secretary of the club, got involved last year after hearing about it through a friend.
“I thought it was a good way to explore what I’m studying outside of the academic window,” Shandrowski said.
Members’ roles are dynamic throughout the process.
“The best thing about this club is that it switches around. We have people who are more attuned to filming and directing, but everyone else gets to switch around and try their hand at different things,” said Shandrowski, having both filmed and written for past projects.
“If you’re part of the crew, we want everyone to get a fully hands on experience with every aspect,” said Jusko. “You get a little bit of everything.”
For soon-to-be-graduate Jusko, he hopes the club he founded, “continues to grow professionally, creating bigger and better films.” As a graduating senior he wants “to have films represent the creativity of Sacred Heart students, and to have a consistent outlet for those who aren’t a film major.”
The club’s work is published on both their Instagram, @shu_shortfilmmakersclub, and on their YouTube channel, @SHUfilmmakersclub.
