Alumni News
Joe Worthen, a 2004 graduate, recently received a $25,000 South Carolina Indie Grant from the S.C. Film Commission to produce a short film called "Isle of Palms." The film is now in postproduction. Joe is also one of the writer/producers of the web series, “Girl out of Carolina.”Mark Hayes, Michael Realmuto and Brittany Brock recently worked as crewmembers on the film “Chronology” starring Billy Baldwin, which was shot in Greenville. Coincidentally, the film was directed by Kipp Tribble. Film instructor, Eric Rogers, shot some of the scenes from Tribble’s first film over 20 years ago.
Nathan Willis currently produces documentaries for MSNBC but has also pitched over 30 ideas on Storyhunter.com, which is a platform that allows independent filmmakers to find funding. Six of his projects got commissioned by places like Fusion, TakePart, and The New York Post. One of his more recent projects was produced for the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It focuses on how the city of New Orleans is hiring veteran medics to apply their military training in the city. Read more about it here: https://storyhunter.tv/blog/qa-nathan-willis-30-pitches-and-6-stories/
Nathan's documentary "Rap Squad," after airing on PBS, was recently nominated for an Emmy.
After receiving his filmmaking foundation at the Fine Arts Center, Ben Eastman went on to graduate from Full Sail University with a degree in Film Production. He now has over eight years of film industry experience as a Camera Operator working on various projects including “Top Chef,” “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” “Property Virgins,” “Sea Rescue,” “Arranged” and many others.
Film Department graduates, James Wiley and Jake Wiklacz, produced a music video called “Night Feeding” for the artist Cashavelly Morrison. It was recently featured in Rolling Stone. Wiklacz has also released his first novella, “A Very Lonely Road.”
Cory Carbaugh, who now works as a camera operator in Los Angeles, recently won his second Emmy.
Rory Scovel, wrote and produced an 8 episode series for Comedy Central called “Those Who Can’t.” He also has a show on Apple TV called, "Physical" and is in the movie "Babylon" with Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie.
He previously starred in the TV shows "Robbie," “Wrecked,” and “Undateable” and in the feature films, “Dean,” and “The House” with Will Ferrell. His one man special, “ Rory Tries Standup for the First Time,” is currently available on Netflix. His next stand-up special will be streaming on Max (HBO) in the spring of 2024.
Julia Vickerman is now storyboard artist and the lead animator for the television series “Yo Gabba Gabba!” Her Fine Arts Center classmate, Max Rivera, recently wrote a fantastic article about her career that can be found here:
http://maxriverafilm.com/2015/09/24/once-a-shy-kid-now-a-cartoonist/
Julia also has a show on Netflix called "12 Forever" which she directed and produced.
Seven current and former film students had films screened at the Reedy Reels film festival at the Peace Center in November 2018. They include Bryan Thomson, Ben Hess, Abby Poore, Hailie Gold, Karl Schmidt, Jeff Martell, and Brittany Brock. Three more will have them screened at this year's festival. They are Hailie Gold, Isaiah Edwards and Galen Cunningham.
Galen Cunningham's and Hailey Roberts' film "Angora" recently won best student film at the 2021 Reedy Reels Film Festival, and the Mountain Lion Award at the Golden Lion Film Festival. The film is selected for screening at the 2021 Tryon Film Festival October 10th.
Dylan Tate, has had good success on the internet creating special effects through After Effects. Check out some of his work here and here.
Sam Wickert, along with his collaborator Eric Leigh, recently completed the fourth installment of his highly successful "Chalk Warfare" series.
Sam runs a company that uses Unreal Engine to create pre-visualization and effects for programs such as HBO Max's "The Last of Us." and MrBeast's Squid Game project.
Here's a great article about him.
https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/tech-design/greenvilles-sokrispymedia-enhances-interactive-film-experiences-moves-into-gaming-sector/
Emily Ferguson who works as a news producer for WNBC in New York, was recently nominated for an Emmy.
Sofia Yankelevitch has worked in the art department on series such as "The Walking Dead," "Stranger Things," "The Walking Dead," and many others.
Brittany Brock has worked on a number of films as a Second Unit Director, Assistant Director, Producer, Writer, Production manager, Director, Cinematographer and in the Art department.
Zelda Vyssotsky has worked in the art department on series such as "Betty," and Pause with Sam Jay."
Mark Hayes has worked in the art department on mini-series such as "I'll be Gone in the Dark," and "Allen v. Farrow."