Lights, camera: Triple feature!
The college’s spring film series presentation
will feature work of two filmmaker alums
By Apikchiya Lohar
Knightly News Reporter
The Knightly News Media Club will host a special Central Penn College Film Series of feature and animated movie presentation by former club members and Central Penn graduates Dylan Bowman and Nik Hogan on the evening of May 29 in the Capital BlueCross Theatre.
Bowman, a 2022 corporate communications graduate, who has presented for the series before, will discuss his journey from student projects to his latest films, “Vintage” and “Plaster Heart.”
“It’s an honor, really,” Bowman said of presenting. “The fact that a college will welcome me back with open arms for events like this one. I can’t think of any other colleges that do this for their alumni.”
Hogan, an animator, will showcase his animated short film, “Nik & Trevor: The First Day,” which celebrates five years of character development and storytelling. He graduated from the corporate communications program in 2025.
Paul Miller, assistant professor of media studies and chair of the film series committee, was happy to invite the filmmakers back to Central Penn for the presentations.
“I think this CPC Film Series event is so special because we get to see two esteemed alumni from our corporate communications program share work that has meant so much to them,” Miller said. “They have both dedicated an incredible amount of time, effort and energy to bringing these films to the big screen, and I am honored that we are able to provide them with a platform to showcase their work.”
Dylan Bowman: Vision of a filmmaker
For Bowman, filmmaking started at age 12, sparked by a passion for “endless artistic creation.” This early motivation solidified during his time with The Knightly News, where his love for storytelling grew.
Bowman believes every filmmaker has a unique view of the world that is portrayed on screen. To him, being a true artist requires more than just a glance. It requires “really looking at it deeply and thinking about its relation to you.”
He often cites Sherlock Holmes to explain his way of viewing his work, particularly “Vintage,” believing that a filmmaker must observe deeper details such as lighting, different angles and the emotions in the scene.
Visuals over force-feeding
As a visual learner, Bowman said he often lets his cinematography carry the weight of the story. He believes “people don’t often like being told what they are seeing,” and describes heavy dialogue-based films as “force-feeding” the audience. Instead, he uses his camera to create a sense of mystery and intrigue that keeps viewers “pondering the film after the credits roll.”
Creating a masterpiece
Rather than focusing on being “flashy,” Bowman’s works are driven by a deeper message.
“I am always trying to ensure that I am finding that good message to tell,” he explained.
Bowman said that whether the story is anachronistic like “Vintage” or broken like “Plaster Heart,” his goal is to leave the audience with a message of truth and hope. His journey serves as an inspiration for students looking to break into the industry.
He transformed student projects into business by “cultivating that passion” and networking.
“The fact that it has gotten this far already is not because I stopped working on student projects, but rather, I learned to evolve those skills into something that could, and did, become a business,” Dylan, owner of Fellowship Studios, in Halifax, said.
Nik Hogan: Unorthodox process
For Hogan, the spring film series is a homecoming for characters he has been developing for a long time.
While many modern animators rely on digital shortcuts, Hogan’s approach is tactile and intentional. He described his workflow as unorthodox, by beginning his stories sketched by hand on paper before they are scanned into digital format.
“There’s no easy way to do animation,” Hogan said, “It’s a strenuous series of trial and error, but it’s worth the effort to see your labor bear fruit.”
He added that “the “easy way,” such as copying and pasting, lacks the soul that defines true storytelling.
‘Nik & Trevor’
The animated short “Nik & Trevor: The First Day” serves as a bridge between Hogan’s past and his future.
The film follows Nikolas Cooper as he transitions from a life of online schooling to the chaotic world of high school. It is a story about finding “found family” in unexpected places, a theme Hogan has nurtured since the characters debuted in 2019.
“This project specifically is to celebrate the fifth anniversary of these characters being shared with the world,” he explained.
By returning to animation for this milestone, Hogan has kept up with the project and with character growth that has evolved over the years of drawing them in comic form.
Nostalgic aesthetic
Hogan described his visual style as “soaked in late 2000s geek, punk and gamer culture.”
He draws inspiration from nostalgic aesthetics of “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World” and the vibrant worlds of Super Mario Galaxy and the manga series “Chainsaw Man.” Hogan said the film is a way of showcasing the medium that first inspired him to pick up a pen.
Ultimately, Hogan’s goal is not to chase perfection, but to remain true to the merits of the story.
“I recommend using things you want to change and adapting them into a new project instead of always trying to make the same one perfect,” he said.
He is looking ahead toward Season 2 of “Nik and Trevor” and, eventually, a feature-length film.
The behind-the-scenes scoop
Even for professional creators, the process of creating can be filled with awkward moments and happy accidents.
Bowman shared a story from the set of “Vintage.” His lead actor could not quite figure out how to hold a payphone naturally.
“He never held it up to his ear and mouth naturally … making for an awkward stance and scene,” he explained.
Initially disappointed, Bowman realized the awkwardness ended up perfecting the lore and the film’s big twist.
Hogan faces a different kind of struggle, known as the “delete” button. As a perfectionist, he finds himself rewatching his work and wants to remake every frame.
“I need to control this,” he joked, “because if it gets out of hand, my final product will never come out.”
To survive the strenuous process of animation, Hogan has learned to stop chasing perfection and instead take the things he wants to change and save them for his next project.
Despite their different challenges, both creators find a way to turn them into creative elements in the film. These behind-the-scenes activities are what make this film series unique. Bowman captures life through his camera lens and Hogan creates worlds with his pen. While their methods are different, both alums are dedicated to genuine storytelling. This film series merges their different visions, while showcasing their journey from student projects to professional works.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Times of discussion and screenings of the movies follow:
- “Plaster Heart,” 6:30 – 7 p.m.
- “Vintage,” 7 – 7:30 p.m.
- “Nik and Trevor: The First Day,” 7:30 – 8 p.m.
Admission to the Central Penn Film Series is free, with concessions available by donation to the Knightly News Media Club.
Comment of story idea? Contact [email protected].
Edited by media-club co-adviser and this blog’s editor, Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
