Written for The Argo by Morgan Smith

On Thursday, March 23, Stockton Communications students had an opportunity to take a field trip to Asbury Park to attend the Garden State Film Festival. The festival is committed to educating and introducing film-related vocations to New Jersey youth through its week-long lineup of over 200 films.

This trip consisted of a free workshop, a schedule full of speakers, and Q&A’s throughout the day. The students heard from cinematographer Ron Vidor, stunt coordinator Roy Farfel, and stunt performer E. Calvin Ahn.  The students traveled to the Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park for this event and afterward visited the Silver Ball Retro Arcade on the boardwalk for lunch and games.

Each spring, the Communication Studies program takes students on a field trip to maximize their applied experiences. Past trips have included WHYY in Philadelphia and the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City.  In 2022, Communication Studies students had a “Behind the Scenes” Tour of the Borgata Hotel and Casino.

Professors Toby Rosenthal and Erin O’Hanlon and Communication Studies Chair Joe’l Ludovich led the students on this trip, experiencing the workshop alongside the students.

“It was a great opportunity for students to learn about the film industry in New Jersey and hear from cinematographers and stunt performers that were born and raised in New Jersey, and work here now,” said Ludovich.

Taylor Lee, a senior Communication student with a concentration in Media Production, was one of the students on the trip. “Asbury Lanes provided such an enriching experience that opened my eyes to the plethora of opportunities within film media,” said Lee.

Lee hopes to enter the film industry after graduation in May. Going out and being able to learn more about your field of choice while also being able to make connections with the people you’re meeting is so important in any field, but the Communication Studies Program takes this especially seriously.