Minisceongo

Documentary

35 Miles north of New York City sits a plot of unused land referred to as the Minisceongo Swamp. While developers are seeking approval from the local governments to build 54 acres of residential and commercial space, which includes a Super Walmart, the local residents and small business owners are speaking out and trying to stop a development that feels inevitable. At stake is an important natural landscape, small businesses, and a way of life that the townspeople are desperately trying to preserve. Narrated by the filmmaker, himself a resident of the town, this short film takes a look inside the process of big development in a small town, and the lives and views of those who live there.

Credits

Written and Directed – Matthew Fleischmann
DP – Xia Sheng
Additional Cinematography – Chris Montgomery, Niav Conty
Sound Recording – Alex Leu, Lars Fuchs, Chih-Hsin Lee
Sound Designer: Milos Zivcovic
Editor: Matthew Fleischmann
Additional Editing – Julian Amaro, Ian Phillips

Cast

Nana Koch
Andy Sahn
John Ramirez
Jeff Prupis
Howard Phillips
Rupal Dal

Matthew Fleischmann

Matthew Fleischmann, a storyteller from a young age with a strong visual sense, constantly immerses himself in the arts. His interest in filmmaking led him to work as an editor at a New York City production company, and the New York Film Academy (“NYFA”). At NYFA he worked his way up from editing instructor to postproduction supervisor in New York, Paris, and Abu Dhabi.

Matthew’s concentration at City College has been in editing and postproduction. In addition to working on his own short documentary, about people in a small town trying to preserve their way of life in the face of incoming commercial enterprises, Matthew has worked as an editor on two fictional narrative thesis films with his classmates. Matthew plans to continue telling stories through his writing and films, and allows his environment to shape his perceptions and influence his art.

Specialization

Writing and Directing Documentary, Editing

Credits

Editor – “Future Perfect”
Co-Editor – “Outworld”

Generations of Silence

Short Short

“Generations of Silence” follows John Bethell, a seminarian in New York city who served as an Arabic linguist in the United States Navy. He currently serves as a chaplain for the New York Fire Department, and has plans for reenlistment upon graduation. John is one of thousands of LGBT veterans and service members of the US military who have served in silence for decades. His story serves as an example of those veterans, and shows the progress toward equality of service after the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

Credits

Produced and Directed by: Jeanette Sears
Cinematography: Julian Amaro
Sound: Chih-Hsin Lee
Additional assistance: Nicole Solomon, Maryellen Tighe

Cast

John Bethell

Jeanette Sears

Jeanette Sears is an upcoming cinematographer who has shot various narrative and documentary films, including three short films shot just this year. She earned her undergraduate degree in Film Studies at The Ohio State University in 2011 and is currently pursuing an MFA in the Media Arts Production program at the City College of New York, with a concentration in cinematography. Her upcoming documentary short “Generations of Silence” is currently in production.

Specialization

Cinematography

Credits

DP – “Longing”, “Small Talk”, “Our Isaac”

Contact Jeanette

www.searsphotovideo.com

Our Isaac

Documentary

Isaac, a six-year-old child of divorce, splits his time between his Jewish father and Chinese mother’s households. In doing so he is immersed in a diverse range of beliefs, languages, and cultural backgrounds. The weight of family expectations, identity, and youth are explored as Isaac maneuvers his way through this integrated world.

Credits

Produced and Directed – ChihHsin Lee
DP – Jeanette Sears
Additional Cinematography – ChihHsin Lee, Chris Montgomery
Editor – Karen Moran
Sound Recordist – Heidi Mueller
Sound Designer – Frank Huang
English Translator: Austin Chu

Cast

Isaac
Miranda
Marc
Ju-Chun
Hassan

Chih-Hsin Lee

Chih-Hsin Lee is a producer and director from Taiwan. She has worked in all facets of production for both documentaries and fiction films. Currently she works on a documentary TV program “USTC360”, which is broadcast on Dai Ai TV all over the world. A graduate of National Chengchi University in Taipei, she came to New York to earn her Masters degree at City College.

Specialization

Directing Documentary, Producing

Credits

Producer: The Longing / Small Talk
Sound: The Longing / Minisceongo
Swing: On Mark

Contact Chih-Hsin

chihhsinlee1203@gmail.com