Testimonials

THE FACULTY

JENNIE ALLEN

Jennie Allen is unbelievably skilled at unlocking your inner voice and helping your work to become more distinct, more nuanced, and more personal. She is a supportive and guiding hand, while also having a surgical understanding of story and character, and giving script notes that will blow your mind over and over again. She is incredible at meeting students where they are - all levels of experience, genre preferences, and aesthetics, and bringing their work to a higher standard. She gave me confidence that making work that was distinct to my taste could find a broader audience. She is incredibly supportive and kind, all while constantly pushing you to become a better writer. 

Thesis Student, Liza Renzulli

You are striving to manifest creativity and you are walking through a metaphorical desert. You happen to stumble upon Jennie Allen, and I say to you congratulations! You just hit the damn JACKPOT!  Jennie is the absolute best!  She guides you to The Well and allows you to think you've found it – like all great mentors. Being technically and emotionally knowledgeable is typically a mirage.

Graduate, Aaron Lehmann

Jennie Allen is one of the most engaged and supportive instructors I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. From her helpful hand-holding in Directing I to her incisive critiques–and well-chosen rebukes–in Advanced Production, she has helped guide our class as we have developed and honed our skills over the course of two years. Jennie’s support does not end when we leave the classroom. She is always glad to offer feedback and advice on projects, endeavors, or any matter, and is genuinely committed to the success of her students. I honestly could not ask for a better mentor as I’ve begun my career in filmmaking .

Graduate, David Brett

 I loved taking Writing the Short and Production classes with Jennie; she challenges you, and encourages you to work on your scripts and short films until they're in the best possible shape they can be. Her comments and criticisms are always spot on and helpful for improving your storytelling. I learned so much from her because she herself is a talented filmmaker with a really interesting sense of humor and point of view. 

Graduate, Eugina Gelbleman

 SIMONE PERO

Simone Pero is simply a wiz at what she does. The Intensive Producer Lab with her was a full semester of going "I never thought of it that way!"

Thesis student, Asavari Vaidya

Simone Pero brought in fascinating, accomplished, unique and insightful guests for the Introductory Master Class with Christine Vachon and it was a pleasure to help her as a graduate assistant. She is deeply encouraging and supportive as an instructor and cares about your success both in the program and in the film industry outside the classroom. She is generous with her time and always happy to share with you her extensive insight as a filmmaker and entrepreneur.

 Graduate, Eugina Gelbelman

Simone Pero’s Marketing and Distribution class delivered on its stated promise: to prepare students to think like an entrepreneur and to equip them with a critical piece of collateral for selling their projects. Her knowledge, instruction and support was indispensable to me in achieving that goal. Now I have the website to show for it. 

Graduate, Susan Reib

ALAN KINGSBERG

Alan's industry and teaching experience drew me to the program, and both are evident in everything he does. You couldn't ask for a more dedicated program director, as he clearly cares deeply about his students and does everything he can to create the most helpful and practical curriculum. He has incredible access to top industry talent who are more than happy to share their wisdom with us. And as a professor, Alan has a gift for pinpointing what's not working in a script or story and pushing you to do your best work, all while encouraging individual voices and visions to shine.

Second Year Student, Carolyn Bergier

Being a great writer doesn’t always translate to being a great teacher, but Alan has been refining his process for teaching spec and pilot scriptwriting at Columbia and Sarah Lawrence, and it works. His enthusiasm is contagious. He expects professionalism, but his workshop classes are fun. He knows what works and what doesn’t, and he will steer your script in the right direction. The class operates like a writer’s room, with students doing a table read of each script and commenting on each other’s work. His goal is for every student to leave the course with a solid script for their writing portfolio. Everyone who took his first class in spec writing came back the next term to write a pilot . 

Graduate, Cathy Zimermann

Alan Kingsberg is a fantastic teacher. He works closely with you to develop your TV series ideas into successful structures and stories. He pays attention to your details, helps problem solve and gives thoughtful creative advice no matter what style or genre. Great.  

Graduate, Kathleen Harty

LENNY CROOKS

Lenny’s perspective has consistently enriched both my passion for cinema and my abilities as a writer. Lenny deserves respect for his very accomplished career, but he deserves even more respect for being one of the most open minded and thoughtful instructors I know. 

Thesis Student, Christopher Rosica

I became a groupie the first time I heard Lenny talk.  I'd written a screenplay about a brother and sister shortly after their father’s death, and Lenny suggested I think of the camera as their father watching over them.  When I told him how amazingly helpful his advice was—keep in mind I’m a fiction writer trying to translate narrative voice into film—he shrugged it off, saying he could do what he did because “luckily,” he wasn’t “burdened by talent.”  Which is hilarious:  He is insanely talented in a hundred ways, a genius at collaboration, and the most inspiring teacher I’ve ever had.  I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to work with him.

Faculty, Melissa Bank

I thought I knew a thing or two about filmmaking (I taught screenwriting at Princeton and sold scripts to Hollywood) but it wasn’t until I met the stupdendously smart and delightful Lenny Crooks that I understood how little I understood.  Now that I am somewhat enlightened, I hereby apologize to my former students and to Sony and Paramount.

Faculty, Patty Marx

NIAV CONTY

Niav Conty is one of those teachers who changes your brain. Her commitment to her student's work is unparalleled. No matter how many drafts or cuts, she will read, watch, and put enormous energy into making your work the best it can possibly be. She will push you to be better at your craft than you ever imagined was possible. She is a cheerleader when you need one, she is a drill sergeant when you need one, and she is an intensely supportive presence in the challenging and joyful process of making art. I didn't understand what being a director really meant until I studied with her.

Thesis student, Liza Renzulli

SUMMER SHELTON

The Producing track at SBU x Killer's MFA in Film has been challenging me every single day since I joined the program. I have changed and changed again as a filmmaker, exponentially improved as a producer and found a community of filmmakers I never expected to find. Summer Shelton has been an incredible mentor to me, her experience and resilience is unparalleled, and having her guide me through the producing process has been a mini workshop in itself.

Thesis student, Asavari Vaidya

Frankly, I cannot imagine making my first feature without taking Summer’s class.

Thesis student, Christopher Rosica

JORDAN ROBERTS

If you need someone to patiently guide you on how to use the complex camera system, sound equipment, lighting, and other gears, Jordan is the best one. He's not just a technical expert, he is also a master of visual storytelling, and he can help you develop your own unique style. That's why I'm always eager to learn from him.

Second Year Student, Yunjie Zhou

PERRY BLACKSHEAR

Perry Blackshear is one of my favorite teachers at SBU. He gives great notes on improving our work, and does it in an uplifting way. He is invested in making all of us do the best work we can while supporting our own individual styles and tastes, and he is always so excited about seeing our stories come to life. I can't wait to take more classes with him. 

Third Year Student, Lina Sarello

The Program

The Stony Brook Film program is equally challenging and gratifying. I agree with one of the school's philosophies: The best way to learn filmmaking is by getting your hands on the equipment and making movies. So I enjoy the bootcamp style of learning the technical rudiments of filmmaking (especially as a writer) then quickly testing my knowledge by writing, shooting and editing the classroom projects. (Not to mention writing, shooting and editing my own short films each year!)

I especially appreciate the teaching styles of Jennie Allen, Scott Burkhardt and Perry Blackshear. They are encouraging, inspiring working professionals and stellar professors! They effectively scaffold their lessons, front loading them with the elements one will need to write and shoot a cohesive, compelling story. They've already given me tools I will use for a lifetime.

Second year student, Vickie Tanner

The Stony Brook/Killer Films MFA has been a fantastic place to grow as a filmmaker. It offers such unique benefits and I cannot imagine having studied anywhere else. To be in a cohort of 10 people where each professor gets to know you and your work on a deeply personal level has been a life-changing educational opportunity. I will be graduating from Stony Brook with cherished collaborators, three completed shorts films, a feature film in the can, and three semesters of teaching undergraduate students under my belt. No other film MFA program can offer what Stony Brook does.

Thesis student, Liza Renzulli

The SBU film program has been an incredible experience for me. I absolutely love the hands-on approach, which has really helped me grow as a filmmaker. Plus, the teachers are genuinely caring and supportive, always there to guide you every step of the way. It's been a fantastic journey!

Second Year Student, Joe Hier

Stony Brook/Killer’s MFA in Film offers an immersive program that combines creative practice with practical guidance in film production. The partnership with Killer Films guarantees an unparalleled instruction by top industry professionals. Powerhouse duo Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler take a matter-of-fact approach to the ‘business we call show’ as it evolves right before our eyes.

Their approach to academia reflects the longevity of their thriving careers; the aim is to protect the artistic integrity under strict financial guidelines. The access to these professionals is invaluable as we get an insider look at in-development Killer projects as they evolve from script to screen.

Better yet, the program is a collaborative effort that gathers artists with different backgrounds. The learning experience is tailored towards hands-on opportunities. Students have the chance to conceive ideas and work together to bring each vision into reality. It becomes a close-knit network of storytellers that I for one am proud to be a part of. From the picturesque grounds of Southampton to the hub of the world art market, New York City, these settings themselves are prone to ignite creative thought.

It’s a unique and truly ‘Killer’ experience.

Graduate, Dejan Pavlovic

The MFA in Film program delivered on its promises --  advanced training in all aspects of filmmaking, hands-on instruction from working/award winning professionals ¾all at an affordable SUNY tuition rate.

The forward-thinking/innovative team at Stony Brook University and Killer Films provided invaluable insight, not only pertaining to the nature of effective visual storytelling, but also into the murky waters of the industry’s future. I had such an enlightening, transformative experience, that I chose to come back for more.

Graduate, Aaron Lehmann