During his fourth and final year at NC State, Tae Park started writing the script for his short film “Afloat” during a screenwriting class. He graduated as a double major in film studies and communication in the spring of 2025, continuing to work on the film with his team and support from the University.

“It took a lot of patience because when I was writing the script, I was like, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to see this.’ But then it took a year since I’d finished writing the script. So it’s a long process,” Park said.

On Friday Nov. 21, the film was shown on the big screen in Varsity Theater in Chapel Hill, greeted with the praise and enthusiasm of a theater filled with local creatives and community members. 

“Afloat” centers the character Owen, played by recent NC State graduate Colin Mayhorn, struggling with depression and finding purpose. The people around him try to support him, but Owen continues to be lost in his own world, with flashbacks from his childhood haunting him and disappointment at his failures overwhelming him. 

Core One Studios, an independent company started by three young creatives, produced the movie. A year earlier, Park attended a film by Core One co-director Jordi Stephenson entitled “Are You Here?”

Park felt so inspired by the success of the premiere that he asked for help making his own film. Core One readily took on the project in August 2024, and after months of revising, shooting, editing and planning, Park’s film premiered at the velvet-lined theater in Chapel Hill.

Jordi Stephenson is an NC State alum who now lives in New York City and is pursuing graphic design and filmmaking. He virtually produced “Afloat,” alongside his partners at Core One, Jake Facio and Robert Gerardi. They helped Park through the entire process, including drafting the script, working on set, giving editing critiques and setting up the premiere.

“Of course I was a big part of this process,” Stephenson said. “But seeing someone else be up there and receive the praise and pride that is associated with this movie, it makes me really proud.”

Stephenson said it was a huge privilege to have the support of the NC State Communications Department during production. Since living in New York, he has realized how much easier it is to work on a project with school support.

“Being able to not only use resources, but to also take advantage of the opportunities that a place like a university would offer. To me, that’s the reason that it’s there,” Stephenson said.

Park said seeing the creative community turn out and fill a theater for the event was what he found most rewarding. Along with friends and family, there were also many unknown faces that were there to cheer on the crew or cast, or to show support for an independent filmmaker’s debut. 

“I’m more grateful to have received this support and have a reminder that the community supports me than I am about the actual release of the film,” Park said.

Well-composed visuals and extensive ocean symbolism lended themselves to the big screen, along with an impressive score and sound design. The audience was rapt for the 30-minute run time, and erupted with applause when the credits showed. 

Tommy Jenkins, a lecturer in the Department of English, taught Park in ENG 330: Introduction to Screenwriting. Park started the script in class and asked Jenkins whether he would be willing to play the role of Andrew. They shot the film over the summer of 2025, and Jenkins said he had a great time.

“It was always a good story and a good script, but to see him pull it off in this way is wonderful. Tae, he’s a fantastic director.
I was so pleased. He was so calm on set, always knowing what he wanted,” Jenkins said. “Seeing this, I’m completely proud of him and proud of everybody that worked on it.”

Jenkins said he was happy to take part in the project and values pushing students to create ambitious things. Artistic experimentation is especially important in college, he said, when there are so many resources and staff available to help students grow.

“[University] does give the opportunity to have access to things that, outside of it, are going to cost a lot more money,” Jenkins said. “So, the University is able to help artists grow, and that’s something I think is great.”

Stephenson said he hopes NC State can encourage students to try classes like screenwriting and devote further resources to student filmmaking. 

“I don’t know if that’s because of a lack of understanding between the faculty and the students, because there’s definitely students that want to make films. There’s definitely faculty that are interested in making films. I want to see more NC State film stuff,” Stephenson said.

Beaming with pride about the success of the night, Park said, “People — especially in the film department or media department — I hope that they know that if they seek it, they have a lot of support available.”