
Jeff Teitler



CCSU Film Student Rises at Back9Network
Just over a year after his graduation from Central Connecticut State University’s Film Emphasis within the Department of Communication, Filmmaker Rob Silcox has already become an integral part of the creative team at Back9Network. In his own words, Silcox gives an update on his incredible journey and the rewards of filmmaking.
Through all the self doubt and madness that every creator goes through, telling a story through a camera is what I am best at, and it’s what makes me the happiest. When I got to Central I had no idea what I’d be getting out of the program. I never really considered myself a director until I was put in the position to make something exactly the way I wanted it and have both hands in every part of producing a film.
My first project at CCSU was a battle of writing, shooting, rewriting and reshooting. Each time I brought in a draft, there was something else to fix. It was definitely a learning experience in analyzing and critiquing work and then immediately going out and fixing it.
My second film, MORNING AT LAST didn’t have a crew. I had two actors, one being my best friend, and his girlfriend. Between my own rewrites, critiques, and reshoots the film was in a constant state of change and development. When I finally stopped working on it and submitted to festivals it ended up getting best director at the Trinity Film Festival and was an official selection at a few other festivals in the northeast.
After graduating CCSU, I was fortunate enough to find a job almost immediately. I’m currently at Back9Network, a golf lifestyle network based out of Hartford. I am now the primary camera and a segment producer among other roles. I’ve directed, dp’ed, edited and produced a bunch of pieces for the company and I gotta say its really cool to see your work shown on a platform that is getting national exposure 5 days a week. Right now I’m focusing most of my attention at producing one of our network studio shows and it’s a trip. We are building a show from scratch and I am getting to be a big part in the creative process. I have been responsible for almost all in house video production from conception to post production and have shot everything from network promos to the intro sequences for all the network shows and a lot in between. It’s a ton of work but everyday is exciting and new.
This process of perfecting something until it is right, no matter how long it takes, is something I still carry with me. Filmmaking is about grit. It is about creating something real and authentic that goes beyond one project or one job. It is about perfecting your craft endlessly. An artist treats every project and every job as practice for their craft. You gotta deal with a lot of craziness in this business and the ones who make it are the ones who keep going, keep working, keep trying every day to be better. I really didn’t start learning that until I was at CCSU.
Rob Silcox – CCSU Film Graduate ’13
Posted by: Jeffrey Teitler – Professor, Central Connecticut State University
Health Justice Connecticut Awards CCSU Film Student First Place.
Recent graduate and CCSU Digital Filmmaking student, Kara Brewer has been fighting a rare genetic disease. She has endured a kidney transplant, brain surgery and many other complex issues related to BOR syndrome. She has also been filming her experiences with extreme courage and skill. Though the fight is ongoing and the battles are difficult, this week Kara received good news – She won First Place within Health Justice Connecticut’s Public Service Announcement Competition. Her entry, ILLNESS WILL FIND YOU was filled with intimate footage of her own disease. Kara is currently in production on her larger documentary – A film chronicling the triumphs and struggles of BOR Syndrome. The film includes cinematography by CCSU Graduate and Filmmaker, Joshua Therriault.
Posted by: Jeffrey Teitler – Professor, Central Connecticut State University
Shae Sau – Filming Alzheimer’s Disease, Family and Hope
Shae Sau arrived at CCSU as a transfer student from Manchester Community College.
“Film for me at CCSU has changed my thoughts and perception of production. I have gone beyond the fear of handling the camera and approaching subjects. Most recently, through film, I explored issues of gender and identity in an extremely personal way. This resulted in over 6000 views within week of posting and a mass of positive feedback on issues of gender.
Currently, I am documenting my dying grandfather who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and Pneumonia. To be able to document his decline in-progress, and see my whole family come together, has preserved great moments of beauty and heartache. At times it was difficult filming such a personal experience, but looking back, I realize what I had done. Every moment of filming was very intimate. I am proud of the work and time put into filming this.
Shae’s grandfather passed away on March 5th 2014. Because of Shae’s intensive production work on this issue, her grandfather’s voice and moments, will soon tell a meaningful story.
Posted by: Jeffrey Teitler – Associate Professor, Central Connecticut State University