Every semester, the Tisch community gathers for the Sight and Sound Showcase, in which a few dozen faculty-nominated works by NYU’s student filmmakers are screened for an eager audience. The showcase is tied to Tisch’s Fundamentals of Sight and Sound Film, Studio and Documentary courses. In each category, a film walks away with a Viewer’s Choice Award. This semester’s showcase took place on Friday.

Although the showcase had no official theme, politics was a popular topic. It was the primary focus of two beautifully sincere documentaries — Tisch sophomore Celine Clarke’s “Why is My Black Skin a Threat to You?” and Tisch sophomore Talia Smith’s “I Am Khanga.” Each film chronicled government corruption and lack of intervention in the face of injustice. Clarke focused on racism in the United States, while Smith addressed sexual assault in South Africa.

Both “The Ryans,” by Tisch sophomore Vihan Shah; and “Swimming in the Arts,” by Tisch sophomore Sophia Shi, documented the heavy weight of familial and societal expectations. Each piece reflects the conflicts that many artists confront between following their own ambitions and what is deemed acceptable by society.    

Students in each course learn about a different area of video production, but the greatest impact on their creative process is hands-on experience.

Professor Peter Rea, who has taught the studio course for eight years, said that the films demand tremendous effort because students are required to dress and light the set, film the project and coordinate art direction — all within two hours. Unlike other courses, Studio is all about communication and “Projects only get executed if the studio works together,” Rea said.

Most students attributed their success in the course to teamwork. For Tisch sophomore Ali Fuller, who directed “Stranger Penelope,” the bond between the students was one of the most important components of her success.

“My studio was just an incredible group of people,” Fuller said. “I got to work with so many great actors and students.”

For Tisch sophomore Mikayla Lowe, director of “Christmas Bake-Off,” the Sight and Sound Studio course was essential in her decision to focus on TV production.

“You really have to trust that you’ve communicated to the rest of the crew what you want, and that they’re going to follow through with your vision,” Lowe said. “I walked in knowing nothing about how the studio ran, or about what kind of show I can make. The professor and the staff at the studio teach you everything you need to know.”

Every piece from this semester’s showcase is available through the Tisch digital archive, and additional information about individual works is posted on the NYU website.

Email Anastasiya Shelest at [email protected].