And We're Rolling!

Guest Correspondence

The first official day of summer may be weeks away, but things are already heating up at Ringling College for film students, filmmakers, and movie lovers everywhere.

Just last week, I had the pleasure of discussing the recent inauguration of Ringling Studios, our new state-of-the-art facility that allows students to work with a wide range of top filmmakers on their film projects, in a guest column for the Herald-Tribune. Well, believe it or not, a lot has happened in that one short week.

Today I’m delighted to share with the SRQ Daily audience two new developments which will undoubtedly benefit our community of film students, supporters, and the Sarasota region in general. Not only are we a principal participant in the exciting Sunscreen Film Festival, presented by the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Film Society, which started this week, but I’m especially  pleased to announce that the Head of the Ringling College Film Program, Bradley Battersby, was named the 2017 Mentor of the Year by Variety magazine.

I honestly can’t say I’m surprised. Throughout his time at the College, Mr. Battersby has built a collaborative environment of creative filmmaking experimentation that allows our students to flex their storytelling muscles while developing professional level production expertise. Under his purview, the Ringling College Film Program—just a decade in the making—has already been nationally ranked and recognized, currently #16 by the Hollywood Reporter.  

A brand-new professional production complex is being constructed to amplify our curriculum. Soundstage A, the first building of this three building complex, had its ribbon cutting on April 3, 2017.  Not only were Ringling College students and employees present for this occasion but also city and county officials such as County Commissioner Nancy Detert. The most talked about participant, however, was Antoine Fuqua, the world-renowned director of such blockbuster movies as The Magnificent Seven, Training Day, and The Replacement Killers, to name a few.  As a result of our partnership with David Shapiro of Semkhor Productions, the College’s film program, under Brad’s leadership, launched the innovative Ringling College Studio Lab which has created a whole new way to teach filmmaking to college students and granted exposure to some of the biggest names in the Film business.

Hats off to Mr. Battersby on this singular recognition by the preeminent magazine covering the motion-picture industry. As much as this award is a huge accomplishment for Bradley, it is even more of a huge win for Ringling College and, most importantly, our students.

Secondly, this week we partnered with the Sunscreen Film Festival, which premiered the first three episodes of Sugar, a web series collaboration between actor, writer, and director Dylan McDermott and Ringling College Film students.

The Sunscreen Documentary feature selection, Finding Babel, will also premiere in Sarasota at our newly constructed Soundstage A at Ringling Studios on Sunday. This remarkable film follows the life and work of Isaac Babel, best known as the author of Red Cavalry, one of the true masterpieces of modern Russian literature. On top of that, renowned filmmaker Steve Michelson is working with Ringling College’s Studio Lab to create several new and compelling online courses in filmmaking. We’re looking forward to climbing even higher in the rankings as our film programs come into full bloom.

It goes without saying – we have a lot going on at Ringling College. And hold on to your hats, because there’s definitely more to come. As the rest of the Ringling Studios facility opens this summer and fall, we look forward to the work that will spring forth. Because that’s truly why we do what we do—to educate and prepare new artists and designers, the future creative leaders of tomorrow, and to enfold members of our incredible Sarasota-Manatee Community. Without a doubt, our award-winning Film program will continue to do just that. Summer may not officially be here yet, but you can already feel the creative heat of a driving passion for filmmaking on campus!

Dr. Larry R. Thompson is President of Ringling College of Art and Design.

« View The Saturday Apr 29, 2017 SRQ Daily Edition
« Back To SRQ Daily Archive

Read More

What Will Single Member Districts Really Mean?

Among the litany of issues Sarasota County voters consider this year will be whether to switch to single-member districts when electing county commissioners. It’s fairly easy to see why this inspires sharp partisan divide. Democrats lament no one from the blue team has won a seat on the com

Jacob Ogles | Oct 13, 2018

District 72 Remains Region's Hottest House Race

An unexpected contest and surprising upset this year turned state House District 72 into the center of the political world in February. This November, voters weigh in again, and while the race this time will be one of many in the region, it remains one of the marquis battles in the region.

Jacob Ogles | Sep 22, 2018

Letting Go at Ringling

We have had the great pleasure at Ringling College of Art and Design this past week of welcoming the largest incoming freshman class in the history of our institution. That’s right, over 500 new young people, representing 42 different states and 30 diverse countries, arrived in Sara

Dr. Larry Thompson | Aug 25, 2018

Good and Graham Swinging for Glass Ceiling

As the woman who could become Florida’s first female governor stumped in Sarasota this week, she turned to the region’s biggest Democratic star for a boost. State Rep. Margaret, D-Sarasota, took the stage at the Francis Thursday to throw her personal support behind gubernatorial candi

Jacob Ogles | Jul 28, 2018