UA Little Rock Students Join Professor in Georgia to Work on Feature Film

A group of UA Little Rock mass communication students had the unique opportunity to work on the production of a feature-length film by Kiel Thorlton, chair of the School of Mass Communication.

The poetic love story, called “Before We Knew,” was filmed over the summer in Columbus, Georgia, and surrounding counties. Thorlton, the award-winning writer and director of “A Place Called Home,” spent nearly eight weeks on location, while UA Little Rock students Zachary Farmer, KeaLea Graham, Adrian Rogers, and Jonathan Leath joined the crew for more than four weeks. With the support of UA Little Rock, the students received travel, lodging, and accommodations as they worked alongside industry professionals on their first major film production.

The film is a romantic drama that follows two young adults who fall in love before they are emotionally ready. The film explores themes of fate, choice, and love from opposing perspectives, incorporating poetic narration and introspection throughout the story. Thorlton co-wrote the film with his wife, Elizabeth, drawing some inspiration from their real-life love story, which began when they were teenagers.

“It really was a great experience,” Thorlton said. “It was hot, we got caught in thunderstorms, but that’s all part of film production. The students got a chance to be part of a professional network, to live and work in a different environment, and to see what it really takes to craft a film.”

Each student was assigned to a different team on set—camera, grip and electric, production design—where they gained hands-on experience in the day-to-day responsibilities of film crew work.

Zachary Farmer, a senior from Wrightsville, worked with the Grip and Electric team, helping set up lights and mirror boards and assisting the gaffer.

“Working on set was a hands-down 10/10 experience,” Farmer said. “I’ve never worked on a production before, but now I pray I have the chance to again. I learned how to work under the pressure of time. We had such little time to get things done on set, and that experience will stick with me.”

Adrian Rogers, who graduated with a degree in mass communication in May, worked on the film as the second assistant camera operator, responsible for building the camera body, handling lenses and filters, slating shots with a clap board, and working with the director of photography and first assistant camera operator.

“As this was my third experience on a film set, I definitely learned quite a bit and grew from this month in Georgia,” Rogers said. “It was my first time in the camera department, and I was really honored to have been trusted with an important role. Even though the Georgia sun and heat was critical, the crew I worked with made this an awesome learning experience for me. Overall, I would definitely do it again with the same crew I worked with. Everyone was so talented on set, and I really cannot wait to see where everyone goes next!”

KeaLea Graham, a senior from Little Rock, was also part of the grip team. It was her first time on a film set, and she valued the close mentorship that came from working with a small crew.

“My experience was honestly great,” Graham said. “I learned a lot more about lighting and the grunt work side of the industry. I’m forever grateful to Professor Thorlton for the opportunity. I learned a lot and met some great and very creative individuals. I would love to work with them again.”

Thorlton said the hands-on project was modeled after a valuable opportunity he received during his own film school education and hopes to bring similar work opportunities for more students in the future.

“We’re now in post-production—editing, music, color, and sound design—which will take about a year,” he said. “But having our students be part of this process from the ground up is incredibly valuable. If I can provide that experience for more students, that’s what I want to do.”