The art of the setup: TCU’s production class in action
Inside FTDM's Production class, creativity meets craftsmanship
From building sets to mastering professional lighting rigs, students in the FTDM production class aren’t just learning the theory of filmmaking. They are living it. This semester’s hands-on project has transformed the studio into a dynamic training ground where future storytellers experiment with camera setups, prop design, and scene direction, all under the guidance of industry-standard workflows.
You shouldn't dream your film. You should make it!
Every semester, the class comes together to select one of their peers' scripts to produce. This semester-long project builds practical experience in the film world, where no one is there to hold your hand. This knowledge transitions over to the next class students take, post-production, where they edit the film they produced the previous semester.
The Studio
Built entirely by TCU production students, this custom house set transforms the studio into a lifelike home environment. It's perfect for learning set design, lighting, and scene blocking.
Lighting
TCU’s studio lighting rig gives students full control over cinematic illumination, featuring adjustable grids, softboxes, and spotlights that mimic professional set environments for dynamic scene shaping and lighting design.
Props
The prop area at TCU’s production studio is a treasure trove of creative tools, where students curate and craft scene elements. From vintage décor to custom builds, these props bring students' stories to life with authenticity and flair.
The Story
The production class meets in the media lab to do a first read of the script. 1-800-COVER-UP, written and produced by Ivery Lechuga, a junior double major in FTDM and creative writing, follows a group of students who are hired to clean up murders by the murderer themselves. When a local cop becomes suspicious, the students fight to clear the evidence.
The Student Experience
Production professor Chuck LaMendola oversees the students as they plan their production. This class exemplifies how upper-division courses are student-led and staff-advised.
Student Roles
Freddy Ornelas, a senior majoring in FTDM with a minor in Entrepreneurship, serves as the cinematographer for this production. He speaks with McKay Trulove, junior FTDM major with a minor in political science, who is the director of this semester's short film. Students choose their production roles based on personal interest, with selections made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Student Roles
Travis Russell, a junior FTDM major and business minor, is the casting director for this project. His role involves holding auditions with students and professional actors to best capture the director's vision.
Professional Cameras
This ARRI camera setup is built for cinematic precision, offering top-tier image quality and modular control ideal for professional film production.
Teaching Moments
Professor Chuck LaMedola shows seniors Colson Schroeder, camera operator, and Freddy Ornelas, cinematographer, the ARRI camera kit to prepare them to shoot their short film.
TCU’s FTDM production class proves that filmmaking is more than theory. It’s a collaborative craft built through hands-on experience. From designing immersive sets to operating professional-grade equipment, students gain the skills and confidence to tell compelling stories, preparing them for the creative challenges of the industry ahead.
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