Students learn marketable media skills making short horror films

Students learn marketable media skills making short horror films

The lights go down in the Student Union Theatre. On the big screen, eerie music plays as a group of unsuspecting college students wander through the dark woods. When one accidentally stumbles upon a seemingly innocent-looking music box hidden among the leaves, the students find themselves unable to escape the box and their haunting new reality.

This is the plot of "Cursed Melodies," a short horror film produced by students in UW-La Crosse's Digital Media Production class. The film earned first-place honors among a series of films screened at the course's culmination.

Most students learn about the class by word of mouth, and it fills quickly, says Taylor Cole Miller, assistant professor of communication studies. Digital Media Production incorporates a wide range of hands-on media skills that are in high demand - from photography and stop-motion animation, to generative AI and podcast production. In the final three weeks of the semester, students are assigned their hardest project yet: the horror short.

"At first, I was really nervous," says spring 2025 graduate Ana De La Torre, who besides helping direct the short, took a lead acting role in "Cursed Melodies." "We had done some video and audio editing, but this felt like a whole different level!"

It is typical for students to be fearful about the final project, but once they realize how much work - and fun - the project will be, "it takes all the scare out of it," Miller says with a laugh.

Creativity and collaboration

Elizabeth Hummel, another spring graduate, "loved going to class" and saw her own growth with each progressive project. While she initially felt nervous working with new people, "Cursed Melodies" came alive when everyone in her group brought their strengths to the table.

"As we all got to know each other better, we felt comfortable contributing our own opinions, which is where we started to really move forward with the film," Hummel says.

De La Torre suggested a music box she had found at a thrift store as the central prop to tell the story. Fellow senior McKenna Bladl contributed her videography and editing skills.

"I had never filmed anything with this level of planning before - multiple shots, angles and a clear vision," Bladl explains. "But as I was filming, I saw that I was capable of bringing those ideas to life on camera."

Amanda Keil, who took the course as a junior, says that in addition to working with camera angles and different shots, she learned how to build suspense and tell a story.

Adapting to new technologies

As the media landscape has evolved, Miller has adapted the course to reflect the latest technological trends and employer needs. Before content management systems were widely available, web development was a major component of the course. Now those classes have been replaced with emerging needs such as generative AI skills and advanced video production techniques.

Last year, for the first time, students used AI to create their own music for the horror short. Feeding prompts into the AI, they crafted eerie soundtracks that enhanced the spooky atmosphere.

In addition to technical skills, Miller is passionate about helping students develop an appreciation for the artistic and technical aspects of media production. After taking the class, he hopes students will watch films or advertisements with a great appreciation for their technical components.

"In this class, we are not only learning how to be media producers but how to be critical of media," Miller says. "Students understand how to break down movies and think of all the parts, which gives them appreciation for a lot of different jobs."

The CaML

Students have access to the tools they need to prepare for careers in the media industry at the Communication and Media Lab (CaML), located inside UWL's Murphy Library. The CaML includes a podcasting studio, storyboarding room, high-quality audio, video and lighting equipment, and more.

For students like Bladl, who aspires to one day work in the marketing department for a major brand, the course and CaML have helped her prepare.

"This class has provided me with opportunities to enhance my skills and passion, which will allow me to grow in this industry and become successful in my work," she says.

Come watch horror with us

UWL horror films are screened at the end of each fall semester and are open to the public. Learn more on the UWL events page.