SANDRA CHALMERS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sebastian Maselli, a Mass Media senior in collaboration with fellow CSUSM student Ryan Smith, worked together for what first began as a class film project that in turn grew to become a voice of a generation. Screening their work at this year’s National G.I Film Festival in Washington, D.C, “Blood We Shed,” surrounds the lives of three injured Marines that recall their experiences in Iraq and expose truths about life on and off the battle field.
The Pride: What/who inspired you to create this film?
Sebastian Maselli: I was inspired by the stories of the Marines that I have served with, they are the definition of toughness and determination. The film began as a class project with my partner Ryan Smith in Professor Jonathon Berman’s documentary class in 2009.
TP: How long have you been working on this project?
SM: Roughly two years.
TP: What equipment did you use in filming, editing?
SM: I filmed this while I was on active duty in the Marine Corps with my personal HD video camera. The editing was done both on and off campus on Mac and MacBook Pros.
TP: Have you had any faculty support?
SM: The Communication Department has been extremely helpful. Professors Dreama Moon and Minda Martin have been tremendously supportive.
TP: What does your film say about you as a filmmaker? How do you see yourself in your film?
SM: As a filmmaker, I would like the film to tell a powerful and emotional story. As far as seeing myself in the film, I tried to keep myself out as much as possible because I wanted to let the Marines do the storytelling. I am never on camera and the audience hears my voice for less than 10 seconds in the entire film.
TP: What do you want your audience to get from watching your film?
SM: I just want people to know the sacrifices that these guys make and the stuff they have to go through, I don’t want them to be forgotten.
TP: Has this film been entered into any other film festivals?
SM: Yes, last year we entered the film into the CSUSM Student Media Festival and won for “Best Documentary” and “Audience Award.”
TP: What did it take to get your film entered in the National G.I Film Festival (GIFF) in Washington, D.C this year?
SM: I registered to “Withoutabox” which is a website that helps independent filmmakers enter their films into festivals. https://www.withoutabox.com/
TP: What are your expectations for GIFF?
SM: I am happy to have been selected and invited. I want to enjoy the experience and try to make the best of the networking opportunities that will be made possible by attending the festival.
TP: How has your film been funding thus far?
SM: Pretty much on zero budget. Just recently however, the Communication Department helped us with a small grant, additionally I have reached out to the Rick Roberts Warrior Foundation and they have helped with a modest donation to help pay for our travel expenses.
TP: Have you had any other press about your film?
SM: Yes, Ryan and I were interviewed on campus yesterday by the North County Times and today by Channel 10 News (I think it aired at 6 pm). http://www.10news.com/ news/27795452/detail.html
TP: What are any of your other creative influences?
SM: My family, my wife and son, as well as my past and present experiences because they have shaped who I am today.
TP: What are your plans for the future?
SM: I hope to start my own production company and start working on my projects; I have so many ideas and opportunities that I just want to get started. I will be finished with my Mass Media Production degree this semester, but I am staying in school to finish a Film/Video Production Minor as well as a Geography Minor. I want to travel the world.
Photo courtesy of G.I. Film Festival