“ If you have ever read ‘ Sherlock Holmes ’ or seen ‘ CSI ,’ they are all influenced by Poe . Maybe Poe didn ’ t invent horror , but he took it to a whole new level .”
conjunction with the films . Students around the world have seen them and they were even shown at a German film festival .
It takes about six months to complete a film from start to finish , and fundraising is the longest part of the process . Then Ciechanowski and his team start booking actors and renting equipment . The films are about 20 minutes long , so it only takes two or three days to shoot them .
“ It ’ s the shortest but most intense part ,” according to Ciechanowski . Afterward , he edits the film and a composer adds music . Each time , the crew has become more efficient and the quality of the final product has improved , he adds .
“ Filmmaking is a craft , and like any craft , you are never done learning ,” he says . “ The journey is the destination .”
Ciechanowski plans to adapt an entire catalogue of Poe ’ s works , including “ The Black Cat ” and “ The Pit and the Pendulum .” He hopes more teachers , especially at local schools , will use his films in the classroom : “ We encourage schools to reach out to us .”
Ciechanowski graduated from Robert Morris University and decided to pursue a career as a film editor after working at the school ’ s television station . He also operates the Jumbotron camera during Pittsburgh Penguins games . It ’ s a great place to work , especially since the Penguins won the Stanley Cup , Ciechanowski notes . He likes to focus the camera on fans with lots of energy or who have painted their faces . “ You look for crazy people ,” he laughs . “ That always works .”
He advises aspiring filmmakers to persevere and take pride when they finish a movie , even if it isn ’ t a huge hit .
“ The narrative you get is that , if you make a film , it has to be a blockbuster or you ’ re unsuccessful ,” Ciechanowski says . “ I don ’ t think that ’ s the case . Making a film is like running a marathon . You might not come in first place , but running a marathon is a hard enough achievement that most people can ’ t do it .”
For more information , go to poefilms . com . n
Carlynton-Montour | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 13