UMBRA

This project is the culmination of all the classes and conversations we have had within the film department at Middlebury College. As our senior thesis, my co-director Jay and I set out to create a pilot for a series we would continue working on for years to come.

During the fall semester, we developed the story, completed a fully revised script, secured locations, assembled our crew, coordinated with talent and extras, and organized the budget. Our professor, Christian Keathley, was instrumental in this process. Without his backing, the film department would not have supported our work, and this film would not have been possible.

Over Winter Break, Jay and I traveled to Athens and London to capture footage for our introductory sequence. We aimed to elevate the production scale and establish a compelling background for our protagonist. These shots proved crucial in setting the film's tone from the start.

Winter Term marked the beginning of the most intense phase - filming and editing. The days were long and cold, but watching the footage each night made every challenge worth it. One of our most complex sequences was the train scene, which required multiple location visits and a tense, fast-paced 50-minute ride where we raced to capture every necessary shot.

The final two weeks of January were entirely dedicated to editing, during which we comfortably worked 100+ hours on the post-production process of our film. Whether it involved fine-tuning our sound or solving continuity issues, these last two weeks were make or break for our film.

Now, we present Umbra, a thriller that immerses you in a world of secrets and deception.