The Highlands Film Society continues to grow as a creative outlet for students passionate about filmmaking.
Led by President Stephen Burris, the club offers opportunities for students to write, direct and produce their own projects while learning hands-on skills.
Burris has his portrait taken in the Floyd campus film studio as he assumes the role as the club’s president.
“We love all things movies and films,” Burris said. “We’ve made lots of short films in the past and if students write a script, we have the cameras and equipment to make it happen.”
The club meets every second Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. alternating between the Cartersville and Floyd campuses. Students who cannot attend in person can join through Discord where the club also shares announcements, project updates and script ideas.
Burris joined the club in 2022 and became president this semester. He said his main goal is to keep expanding membership and increase the number of film projects produced each year.
“When I first joined there were just a handful of people,” Burris said. “Now we’ve really seen it grow and I want to keep that momentum going.”
The club recently gained new equipment allowing for more ambitious productions. Burris said the next step is preparing to create a full-length feature film, a first for the group.
“Georgia Highlands has done a lot of short films over the years,” Burris said. “I believe we have the resources to create something on a larger scale and that experience is what helps students grow.”
Both Seth Ingram, film chair and Nathan Ploeg, manager of Digital Media Laboratories, oversee the film department and serve as key contacts for students interested in production logistics.
Students are photographed working on a film set at the Floyd campus.
“In terms of planning productions, that’s something we handle within the club,” Burris said. “But if you want to know about equipment or arrange the technical side of things, Seth and Nathan are the people to reach out to.”
Burris is also developing his own project, Precious Rose, a mystery musical centered around the theft of a beloved piece of artwork. The story draws inspiration from his late grandfather, a local artist from Rome whose pen and ink drawings will appear in the film.
“I wanted to showcase my grandfather’s artwork and use it as a central part of the plot,” Burris said. “The movie also focuses on how media can misrepresent women. The message is that women are not objects and we shouldn’t view them that way.”
In addition to producing films, the club plans several events this month including a film race from Oct. 16 to 23 and the Media Innovation Academy on Oct. 31 where local high school students can learn about film production.
Burris encourages anyone interested in filmmaking to join the club and gain real on-set experience.
“If you join the Highlands Film Society, you’re not just hanging out with film people,” he said. “You’re creating with them.”
