After almost giving up on his career and losing sight of his art house roots, Johnny Coffeen has reached the top of one of those exhilarating roller coaster peaks that is the film industry.
A 2010 graduate of Cal State San Bernardino with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, Coffeen has won a Student Academy Award for his experimental piece, “The Swan Girl.” He made the film while in the David Lynch M.F.A. in film program of the Maharishi University of Management.
“Winning an award from The Academy? What? That’s even more surreal than the experimental film that won,” Coffeen said. “In the words of my screenwriting mentor Jeff Maguire, it’s further validation from the universe that I should ‘keep going.’”
Of the 1,749 films submitted to the academy from 381 colleges throughout the world, “The Swan Girl” was named one of three winners in the alternative category.
Coffeen’s first real taste of the big ride on the roller coaster came during his days as a student at CSUSB. Following completion of his CSUSB thesis documentary, “Happy Medium,” it screened for a representative at the Huntington Art Museum.
“She was moved to tears,” said Coffeen, who was a Victorville resident while at Cal State San Bernardino and now lives in Ventura County. The film went on to show for three months at the Huntington and screened at the Portland Art Museum as well. The experience unleashed one rudimentary thought for him. “I had talent.”
“He is driven,” said Charles Metts, the CSUSB film professor who Coffeen credits with establishing his art house roots. “He's a great visual artist,” Metts said, “and he understands the historical context within which his work exists,”
At the Student Academy Awards, gold, silver and bronze honors will be named among the three winners -- Coffeen’s “The Swan Girl” and works created by young filmmakers from the City College of New York and the American Film Institute. Winners will be announced during a 7:30 p.m. ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
“Pretty damn good,” said Lynch of Coffeen’s film.
Lynch, taking time from a hectic schedule working on the revival of the popular TV show, “Twin Peaks,” watched the short film. This, in itself, was great reward for Coffeen.
“If nothing else happens in my career,” Coffeen said, “I will die a happy man knowing my hero loved my film.”
The Student Academy Awards have seen winners such as Cary Fukunaga, John Lasseter, Spike Lee and Trey Parker.
Visit Coffeen’s website to view the trailer for “The Swan Girl.”
For more information, contact the CSUSB Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007. For more information about Cal State San Bernardino, visit news.csusb.edu