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PRESERVATION

When an oil company threatens a small boarding school, a student worker is thrown into the crossfire between his mentor and corporate goons sent to muscle him out.

An Emerson BFA senior film thesis, made in collaboration with the Darrow School and its students.

https://www.shortverse.com/films/preservation

  • Calvin Kertzman
    Director
    FLAWLESS
  • Nathan Vitale
    Writer
  • Davin Intag
    Producer
    One Hit
  • Xiang Xu
    Producer
    A Better Man
  • Debra Kertzman
    Producer
  • Mackenzi Belliard
    Key Cast
    "Elijah"
  • Jack 'O Hara
    Key Cast
    "James"
    Breaking Girl Code
  • Elisabeth Weeks
    Key Cast
    "Clarissa"
    You Silly Goose!
  • Ernest Chando
    Key Cast
    "Deputy Hendricks"
  • Damian "Oso" Tiburcio
    Key Cast
    "Mike"
  • Christopher Oulette
    Key Cast
    "Sheriff Peterson"
  • Jennifer Pytleski
    Exec. Producer/Unit Production Manager
  • Madeline Brownbill
    EDITORS
    Blind Dining
  • Calvin Kertzman
    EDITORS
    FLAWLESS
  • Gerry Green
    SCORE
  • William Kertzman
    SCORE
  • Aliza Erickson
    PRODUCTION DESIGN
  • Spencer Delorenzo
    DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
    Chew on That!
  • Davin Intag
    GAFFER
    Blind Dining
  • Brodie Curtis
    SOUND DESIGN
    FLAWLESS
  • Tushar Somkuwar
    SOUND DESIGN
    Jones Plantation
  • Calvin Kertzman
    SOUND DESIGN
    FLAWLESS
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Suspense, Western, Thriller, Horror, Environmental
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    October 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    2,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Emerson College
  • Emerson College BFA Showcase
    Boston, MA
    United States
    May 12, 2024
    Emerson College
  • unofficial film screening for preservation and other senior shorts
    Boston
    United States
    December 11, 2023
    first public screening
Director Biography - Calvin Kertzman

Born and raised for most of his life in the Philippines, Calvin's passion from film stems from his childhood. His passion grew as years went on, eventually going to Emerson College for film. He is in his senior year with a BFA in media production, and hopes to continue making content post graduation.

https://www.calvinkertzman.com/smile-and-a-wink

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

How far will YOU go?
Preservation is an Emerson College senior thesis short film directed by Calvin Kertzman for the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. The short was created over a year and produced in collaboration with The Darrow School, Calvin’s former high school, and with mentorship and support from local upstate organizations Stockade Works and Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative.
With a crew composed of over 30 folks from Emerson, Boston, New York, and the school itself, Preservation was an ambitious undertaking for all involved. However, the result ultimately paid off. Because of Preservation, Calvin went on to found Smile and A Wink Productions and continue working with several collaborators from this shoot on a fellow short in this screening, Grim Reefer. The ultimate hope with Preservation was to make a short that examined the consequences of violence and taking action.

-calvin k