Rather than spending 10 dollars on a movie in theatres, the N.C. State community chose to spend their night watching 14 short films. 

Students in the College of Design and the Department of Communications presented short films they created on Thursday in the D.H. Hill Auditorium. 

The night was split into two distinct genres: animated short films and video short films. The video films were shot on actual film, as opposed to being shot digitally. 

The first film, an animated one called “Geometrical,” by Margo Jordan, a junior in art and design, featured three-dimensional shapes: a cube, cylinder and pyramid. It followed the shapes as they tried to get apples. 

“My hardest part was figuring out how to give these very inanimate objects life,” Jordan said. 

Throughout the night, filmmakers and others involved joked about how many of the films portrayed a solemn mood. Topics in the film were life, death, disability and other obstacles. Some of the films were based solely on movement, such as walking or jumping. 

Some of the animated films were shot in two-dimensions while others, such as Jordan’s film, had a more three-dimensional feel. 

“I found 3D animation was never something I’d get into, but it’s definitely a useful skill,” Jordan said. 

After the animators answered questions in panel-style, the emcee played the video films. 

One of the video films was “The Laugher,” a somewhat dark film by Elias Clarke, a graduate student in art and design. 

The lighting was one of the most difficult challenges in making video film. “There’s so many different ways to light and shadow,” Clarke said, “but you want to light it so your film can develop.” 

Thursday was the first of two nights for the Student Short Film Showcase. The next is set to be Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Hunt Library. 

Some students attended the showcase for University Scholars credit. The scholars program helped spread the word for the event. 

“I wouldn’t have known about it if it weren’t for scholars,” Amanda McCrackan, a freshman in the scholars program, said. McCrackan said she enjoys watching films and is glad the University offers the opportunity for students to share their wor