At Western Washington University, there is an abundance of young filmmakers looking to get their start. Western’s Film Production Club offers just that.
Haven Patrick, a local filmmaker and actor who moved to Bellingham in 2020 to attend school at Western Washington University, spoke of his experiences as a filmmaker and how he networks with other local creators.
“The film club was the main thing,” Patrick said. “That’s how I met both of my roommates.”
His roommates are also his costars in “The In-Between Days,” one of Patrick’s most recent film projects.
Patrick and his roommates, Isa Frey and Zander Littlejohn, have been working nonstop to bring the movie to life.
“We have no money, but that also means we have more time. We’re trying to use that to our advantage,” Patrick said. “We’ll be reshooting whatever I feel like could be made better.”
Like Patrick, new students looking to find a community to create films end up finding their place at Western’s Film Club.
Kieran Kardong is a Western graduate and one of the Film Club’s past officers. He worked as the director of outreach from fall of 2023 until he graduated in the spring of 2024.
“I had just started and didn’t know anything,” Kardong said. “They had this club and I figured I’d give it a try,” Kardong said.
Western’s Film Club hosts regular meetings where students can come and pitch their scripts, find potential acting jobs and most importantly, meet like-minded people.
“I think getting into the film industry, you need connections,” Kardong said. “And not necessarily that you’re going to meet those connections in the film club, but it’s more so that you get better at meeting people and being social with folks.”
Kardong was new to film and new to his film minor when he heard about the club. He used it as a place to learn and expand his knowledge.
“You also get to learn techniques that you could use in the film setting and you can explore that without any consequences really,” Kardong said.
Western’s Film Club had its start back in 2021 and since then have been pumping out project after project. “Shoreline,” “Knife of Glass” and Patrick’s award-winning film, “Greensick,” are all products of the film club.
“Greensick” earned Best Student Short from the Poulsbo Film Festival, was an official selection for the First Time Filmmaker Sessions and was an official selection for the Dreamachine International Film Festival.
Western’s Film Club offers the community and resources needed to begin your film journey. For more information, head to their Instagram.
Adeline Roesler-Begalke (she/her) is a first time reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a public relations major and a hopeful film studies minor. When not reporting, you can expect to find Adeline on her couch watching movies with her friends. You can reach her at adelinerb.thefront@gmail.com.
