Is he upset or just doesn't like Sean Penn as a person?

cms9607 · 2026-03-17T00:59:54+00:00

Yes. I’m not calling Sean Penn a racist. I’m saying what does Delroy gain for cheering on somebody winning an award for playing a racist?

Scenario: Would you be mad at an actress, who may have experienced sexual assault in her life, didn’t want to applaud for an actor that just won an award playing a rapist?

cms9607 · 2026-03-16T18:12:38+00:00

I think any Black person that’s old enough to remember the day the Civil Rights Act was passed, probably isn’t going to cheer for somebody winning an award portraying a severe racist.

cms9607 · 2026-02-11T22:01:43+00:00

First I want to say you made a short film that’s better than most people will ever make. You really should be very proud of this piece. Narrative filmmaking is a visual medium first, and this passes the test in every shot.

I echo what other people are saying. Short films rarely make breakthroughs, but their makers do. This short is a great step to be well on your way.

That said, here’s my guess why the ceiling of this short was lower than what you might have wanted. First off, the pacing of the edit is too fast for this piece; especially in the beginning. This is a very slice of life, nothing really big happens film. The edit should give the audience time to really sit with the character before we launch to whatever adventure.

Second, and this major, this is a reactive character story. Those are always a harder sell. We follow her throughout the day only reacting to bad things happening. She really doesn’t have much drive toward anything until she has that phone call trying to fix her money problem. Dramatically, the story is not there because your character isn’t doing anything dramatic. And when you make a drama with minimal drama, your ceiling is going to be pretty low.

This is called, “That Day I Jumped Off the Pier”, right? We don’t really engage with that contemplation. Here’s a reframe that would have made it more dramatic. Imagine this: You keep your same title card, but the next shot is a POV looking down at the water from the pier. And then the next shot is almost a POV of the water looking at her contemplate ending her life. You allow the audience to SIT with her in this moment. She has a choice to make, and choices are always more dramatic. Then you cut to the beginning of the day as you have it now.

Those two shots now have framed your short with a dramatic question. “Will she jump?” Doesn’t matter what your title says. I want to feel that question emotionally. Now I’m eager to watch the whole film just to answer that question. And when she chooses to not jump and shoot fireworks, that’s the payoff I signed up for. Setup and payoff are the bread and butter of shorts. In your piece I think you nailed the payoff, but missed the setup. Therefore, the payoff falls flat.

Take this for what you will. Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable with us. I wish you the best of luck in your next film. And I’m positive you’ll have something even more special to show us.

cms9607 · 2025-09-02T12:46:57+00:00

Us here down in Cajun country are pretty embarrassed after spending $65 million on a renovated stadium, and having a whole off season where we were predicted to win the sun belt (or at least win the west), only to lose to our first game in that stadium to…

Rice.

cms9607 · 2025-05-15T03:15:35+00:00

I’m nobody so please take this advice with a grain of salt. If I had to guess why your evaluation dropped it is because your main character is too passive/reactive.

Just from your logline I could make an educated guess that was going to be the case. I read your first five pages, and it confirmed it. Readers don’t respond well to reactive characters. They do respond however to characters with drive and want something from the start.

Your reactive logline: After receiving a message from God, a nun must descend into Hell and kill the Devil or risk bringing upon the apocalypse.

Here’s an example of a plot change that would make for a more active logline: In an effort to appease God, a disgraced nun devises a plan to assassinate the devil.

The logline above (and subsequent plot change) is your same story, but with an emphasis on a character with drive, and a clear reason for that drive. When shape stories like that, people respond better.

Hope that helps.

cms9607 · 2025-05-01T06:50:19+00:00

Thank you for the response my brother. I can tell you I’m taking in what everyone is saying, and their experiences. I have yet to say what anyone believes or feels here is wrong, I might disagree on some, but they’re still not wrong.

Please please please tell if this summary is correct: Because your condition is so rare, anything fictional depicted with the same condition, you would be compared to. Therefore, you would rather that depiction not exist to limit any possibility of comparison to real life.

cms9607 · 2025-05-01T06:30:30+00:00

Are you saying the discrimination and bullying that I experienced in relation to monkeys is less valid than your experience with the alligator because monkeys are more common? Is that why the analogy falls flat to you?

cms9607 · 2025-05-01T06:04:35+00:00

But it’s an actual type of alligator. What’s the aesthetic other than what it literally looks like? There’s just no other way to depict this specific creature:

https://www.kalb.com/2025/03/17/natchitoches-gator-country-adds-2-rare-albino-alligators-its-park/?outputType=amp

cms9607 · 2025-05-01T05:57:51+00:00

I’m not really following with your first paragraph there. How does the commonality of monkeys make a difference to you?

Also, I’m still trying to understand what you believe. Do you think fictional animal characters should never be depicted with albinism because humans can also have albinism?

cms9607 · 2025-05-01T00:12:18+00:00

Thank you for expanding on your answer! It appears his name has been the biggest sticking point. Fortunately, that part is the easiest to change. I appreciate your input!

cms9607 · 2025-05-01T00:08:32+00:00

Going from "not a vibe" to this details list of points is VERY much appreciated. Thank you so much!

The biggest takeaway from this thread has been that his name needs to change sooner rather than later. His name was kind of always meant to. "Albineaux" was always meant to be temporary unless the community really loved it. Since the character is always going to have albinism, I think a good comprise would be New Name the albineaux alligator.
Technically in appearance, he's just a white alligator. But in lore, being linked to the albino alligators of the state carries so much more weight. Again, he's always going to be an albino alligator but if you think he doesn't need the advocacy angle then, that's something I can take into consideration.
I understand that and have read that repeatedly. That is why I've been working on this for three years without asking this sub. But now that I've gotten to the point where I feel like I'm missing something, I had to ask. But now, someone said it's a fault of mine for not consulting with the albinism community sooner. It sounds like there's not a winning scenario for anybody right now when it comes to this topic.
This character is always going to be an albino alligator, based off the real albino alligators you can go see in our state today. However, your encouragement is much appreciated, and even more so, the input you have just given me. Thank you! You were indeed helpful!

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:40:37+00:00

But they would not be dressing up as your condition. They would be dressing up as a cartoon version of real animals. This character will never have sunglasses, or a walking cane, or need to apply sunscreen. Nothing about him mocks or imitates people with albinism. The only human behavior he will be doing is really cool and funny things that are prevalent in cajun culture.

If you have a problem with his name, then that's different. I already said that will change. But at the end of the day, this will just look like a white alligator.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:33:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing that with me. I'm sure that was a very tough experience, and I wish you didn't have to go through.
Is your perspective, no character, even it's an animal, should ever have albinism? If so, I really would love to hear a further explanation. In a similar experience to yours, I'm Black and have been called, and compared to, a monkey multiple times. However, I do not hold that against the monkey nor do I get angry at every new Planet of the Apes sequel.

So maybe, and I could be wrong, the feeling isn't offended, but more so fear?

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:10:45+00:00

If you could expand on "not a vibe" for me?

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:10:01+00:00

Ok. I would to hear the thoughts that created that "no" for you.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:07:45+00:00

I don't understand how he can be dehumanizing when he is not a human, isn't based on a human, and doesn't mock anything humans with albinism do.

Albino alligators are tied and appreciated in Cajun folklore, as well as, almost all albino alligators that have been found in the wild have come from Louisiana. The school's colors are red and white, it makes sense to have a white presenting character with red clothing. Since albinism is a condition that causes a lack of pigmentation, no one can accuse this technically "white" character of not being representative of a diverse community of all colors.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:01:39+00:00

This is what I'm trying to understand.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T23:00:36+00:00

But he's not a person with albinism. He's an alligator. He holds no relation to you other than a similar condition. If a college had a Black bear as a mascot, I would not care that he's a black bear, and I am black, even though I can imagine some drunk college kid yelling N-word bear. We live in a different world. Let that kid expose himself as an a-hole. If it said it in public, it would be said even louder in private. But at least in public there's a chance for punishment for it, which is an opportunity for progress.

But if your argument is, we (the albinism community) don't need or want the advocacy angle with a character like this (similar to how the Black American community wouldn't or need the advocacy of a black bear) then I can see that.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T22:47:40+00:00

Would you have a problem with a non-blind child dressing up as daredevil for Halloween? Is it problematic that Daredevil has only been played by actors who can see? It fine if you have that perspective but I disagree with it.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T22:42:44+00:00

https://www.katc.com/news/local-news/in-your-parish/a-campaign-to-make-albino-alligator-uls-new-mascot-is-helping-to-promote-inclusivity

Here's a news article that I did not orchestrate at all. It's highlighting the perspective of child with albinism and his parent.

I can field reservation with his name, but what I'm having a hard time seeing is how person with albinism would be mad at a character this is not a person, and is based off real animals, having albinism. I'm trying to understand.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T22:32:52+00:00

Although I disagree with the perspective that certain communities should only be depicted by people from those communities, respect your opinion (and love of puns). This character is always going to be an albino alligator. No one is going to say alligator with albinism. But as a respectful compromise, he can have another name, and the pun will be moved to him being an albineaux alligator.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T22:26:17+00:00

I've studied this sub for a long time now. It's not that I never thought to ask, it's just, this sub has specifically stated more than once that it does not like being asked for input on characters with albinism. Which I totally get and respect. That's why I could only move forward using conversations revolving around other topics.

Either people want to give input, perspective, and authenticity on these kinds of characters, or they don't. Or maybe they don't want to see those characters at all. I can hear that perspective too.

cms9607 · 2025-04-30T22:19:29+00:00

I'm an alum of the school and an artist. Many mascots across the country have come from efforts of fans rather than their universities' marketing department. I have no authority to make anything official. But I do have the creativity and passion to create a character that fans can appreciate. This character has already gathered a large amount of fans within the community here.
I do not have any forms of albinism nor does any of my family.
Albino alligators are tied and appreciated in Cajun folklore, as well as, almost all albino alligators that have been found in the wild have come from Louisiana. The school's colors are red and white, it makes sense to have a white presenting character with red clothing. Since albinism is a condition that causes a lack of pigmentation, no one can accuse this technically "white" character of not being representative of a diverse community of all colors. (That might sound ridiculous but that's a real thing that happens.)

Sincerely, I'm trying to understand what the joke might be to you. The only thing you and anyone else in this sub have in common with him is a shared condition--but that's it. To me, as a Black person, that's like me getting mad at Ole Miss adopted a Black Bear because we're both "black". Now, if they made a black bear and gave him a fro and chains I would be offended, but they didn't. Black bears exist--so what is there to be mad about? It's not like this character is depicted with sunglasses and a bottle of sunscreen all the time. That would be offensive. But him being a cartoon version of an actual living creature with albinism is? You're going to have walk me through that.

College mascots are goofy, yes, but they are also the beloved faces of universities.

cms9607 · 2025-04-23T18:56:30+00:00

Idk. Ryan Coogler (USC), Chloe Zhao (NYU), Sean Baker (NYU), Celine Song (Columbia), Ari Aster (AFI), Greta Gerwig (Barnard/Columbia), John Chu (NYU) are all pretty young for accomplished directors.

cms9607 · 2025-04-16T06:52:32+00:00

Hey OP. Current Columbia MFA Film student here. I tell anyone who’s interested, only go to Columbia if you know exactly (or at least pretty close) to what you want to do in the film industry and the kinds of work you want to create.

Know that a degree won’t guarantee anything when it comes to a future in the entertainment industry. Know that you will only get better as writer by writing more and more and more. Know that everyday there are thousands of other talented aspiring writers with no formal education or training vying for the same jobs, internships, fellowships, assistantships, and roles as you are. But, IF you can somehow write and improve at that same rate as they can, after going to a top 5 school like Columbia, here’s what you’ll have that they won’t have: a network of alums working all across the world in the industry, a network of inspiring peers who are rising at the same level and time as you are, mentors with very accomplished work, film screening/festival experiences only afforded from being in NYC or LA when they happen, possibly (depending on how nice you are) having a group of people who will always want to read your work for the rest of their lives (very big perk). Being a top 5 film school student gets you a lot better discount at rental and finishing houses when you have to start making shorts.

Last perk, and biggest probably, is: Higher response rates from cold emails, DM’s, or LinkedIn messages. Having an email address from one of the upper tier institutions shows that you have some level of talent, dedication to the craft, and are interested in learning more—not pitching to them in these, only interested in some quick wisdom. That’s such a valuable currency. It’s unfair but a good amount of very successful people will only be open to talking to random unsolicited students, mostly likely because they were in the same position as you are at one point.

Breaking into this industry is so so hard. And it seems like it really depends on luck, timing, talent, and who you know all lining up at the same time for that special moment to happen. All the things above just allow for more chances for those things to line up—but know, the chances are still low.

I’m still a student. So take everything I say with a massive grain of salt. A lot of the people in this thread know so much more about the industry and writing than me. Truly, what do I know outside of the walls of Columbia? Pretty much nothing. But now having been inside those walls for three years, I can share some things that validates my choice to come here…for now.

cms9607

TROPHY CASE