Iowa State junior Nathan Petrik will host the premier screening of his short film on Friday, Oct. 28 (7 p.m., 3560 Memorial Union). "Convenient," approximately 15 minutes in length, follows four girls who rent an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere with plans to rob a convenience store because they are pressed for cash. One of the girls discovers that not all their motives are the same, as things take an unexpected turn.
A film still from Nathan Petrik's short film, "Convenient."
After the screening, Petrik and the film's four actors, also Iowa State students, will be available for an informal discussion with the audience. The actors are:
- Tracie-Lynn Lamoureux, sophomore in apparel, merchandising and design
- Elli Peller, senior in apparel, merchandising and design
- Grace Purvis, senior in graphic design
- Ella Voloshen, senior in apparel, merchandising and design
Petrik, a graphic design student, received a Focus grant to fund his film project. In his application, Petrik explained, "I hope to portray a caricature of individuals with immense financial privilege appropriating poverty by resorting to violence to obtain money. Being a student who has to work my way through college … I have noticed that the American college campus is a microscope to observe the wealth gap in America."
Petrik's project advisor for the grant was Clark Colby, arts, communication and design program specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach, who described Petrik as a student with "a passion for photography and videography, and a drive to try and learn new techniques outside of class projects."
Focus is a campus organization that has supported students in the arts since 1972. Twice a year, students may apply for up to $600 to support the creation and presentation of new work in visual art, apparel design, writing, theater, dance and musical performance. Student Government funds Focus grants, and awards are determined by a committee of students, faculty and staff.
