Filmmaker, podcaster, comic book author and general all-around raconteur Kevin Smith visited Ringling College campus yesterday with plans for an upcoming web series to be filmed in Sarasota. Invited down as part of the Ringling College Studio Lab, a partnership between Ringling College and Semkhor Networks, Smith toured the campus and met with students before leading a presentation and question and answer session with more of the student body. “Driving in—nothing but art. Art everywhere,” said Smith of his first trip to Sarasota, before singling Ringling College out as “the best-kept secret in Florida.”

Smith follows on the heels of actors and filmmakers such as Justin Long, Dylan McDermott and Roman Coppola, all of whom are in the process of putting together projects to produce with the help of Ringling College facilities and students. “We both had a vision that a film program should include real productions,” said David Shapiro, head of Semkhor Networks, of his conversations with Ringling College President Dr. Larry Thompson leading to the creation of the Studio Lab. The two also agreed to focus on digital content—“Where the future is,” according to Shapiro.

Currently untitled and short on details, Smith refers to his latest project as “the Classy Picture,” hinting at perhaps more adult subject matter than is typical Smith fare. Smith will also act in the series, in addition to writing and directing. Initial plans to shoot in Pennsylvania fell through for financial reasons, and Long, a frequent Smith collaborator, recommended checking out Ringling College. Long currently plans to shoot his own serial project in Sarasota come September.

But in addition to Ringling facilities and Sarasota locales for shooting, Smith also expressed excitement at the prospect of working with the Ringling students. “I’d rather work with students,” said Smith. “Not because paid professionals suck, but who’s got more passion than students? Who’s hungrier than a student in college?” As long as students are compensated, Smith sees no problem. “I will get more out of working with these people than they probably will get out of working with me,” Smith said only half-joking. “I guarantee you—I’m going to work with these cats and be embarrassed at how much better they are at their job than me.”

According to Shapiro, all students working on professional productions receive either credit towards their degree or paid compensation. "We’re building a reputation,” he said. “There really is no community like Sarasota and no school like Ringling.”