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Student-led short film premieres at Slamdance Film Festival

"Kayla Baby," a short film directed, produced by and starring CCM talent, premieres Jan. 22

headshot of Rebecca Butts By Rebecca Butts 513-556-2675
5 minute read January 19, 2024

Story by CCM Graduate Assistant Lucy Evans

Hollywood may be synonymous with the film industry and big-budget blockbusters, but you can find talented filmmakers in every corner of the country. For Clark Comstock and Claire Foley, what began as a class project turned into a major opportunity — their short film "Kayla Baby" will premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival on January 22 and 24 in Park City, Utah. 

Comstock and Foley both graduated from UC College-Conservatory of Music's BFA Media Production program in December 2023. Directed by Comstock and produced by Foley, "Kayla Baby" served as the duo’s final project for their Capstone class, taught by CCM Professor and Media Production Division Head Kevin Burke. The film, which has a 16-minute run time, was devised, shot and edited over the course of four months.

Watch a trailer for "Kayla Baby"
Gallery: Behind-the-scenes of "Kayla Baby"
Behind-the-scenes of the making of "Kayla Baby." Photos provided by Clark Comstock.

Behind-the-scenes of the making of "Kayla Baby." Photos provided by Clark Comstock.

The story follows Kayla, a mostly silent teenager, and her sister Marta, who have been forced to relocate to an abandoned housing development by a menacing being. There, they meet an elderly man named Charles, and a troubled yet energetic teenage boy named Davy. Friendships form and connections deepen as the group eventually realizes they share a common thread (and common adversary) in their exile to this lonely place.

Kayla Baby stars CCM Acting students Kenny Rayborn, Nora Kovasckitz, Cyrus Fontenot; Cincinnati local Ayla Cole and Comstock's godfather George Alexander. It also features the work of multiple CCM Media Production students, make-up design by CCM Make-Up and Wig student Tiara Jones and costume design by DAAP student Rachael Olberding. Full production credits are below and on the film's website.

 Production Credits:

  • Director: Clark Comstock*
  • Producer: Claire Foley*
  • Cinematography: Vinny Meehan*, Clark Comstock*
  • Location Sound: Tre Harris*
  • Makeup Design: Tiara Jones*
  • Costume Design: Rachael Olberding
  • Music: Muwosi
  • Gaffing: Vinny Meehan*, Tommy Rochester*, Jameson Windell*, Ray Schoettker*
  • Production Assistant: Ellie Hartranft*

Cast: 

  • Kenny Rayborn*
  • Nora Kovasckitz*
  • Ayla Cole
  • Cyrus Fontenot*
  • George Alexander

 *CCM student 

Behind-the-scenes of the making of "Kayla Baby." Photos provided by Clark Comstock.

Behind-the-scenes of the making of "Kayla Baby." Photos provided by Clark Comstock.

Without the budget or backing of a Hollywood studio, the student filmmakers got creative.

“The main locations were my parents’ house in Hyde Park and Mt. Storm Park in Clifton,” says Comstock of the filming process. “In order to work with everyone’s schedules, we would shoot for about five or six hours every weekday evening for about three weeks… It was a tough process at times, but I’m very happy with the results."

Comstock and Foley will travel to Park City, Utah, for the Slamdance Film Festival, held January 19-25 in person and January 22-28 virtually. Since 1995, Slamdance has established itself as one of the world’s premiere independent film festivals. Every year, the festival premieres dozens of cutting-edge features, short films and documentaries, and winners from each category are eligible for Oscar and BAFTA consideration.

Comstock, who hopes to continue his directing pursuits and is currently applying to graduate programs. In the meantime, he is a teaching artist at Elementz and teaches video at various rec centers throughout Cincinnati. He hopes to work as a freelance editor and wants to continue working on independent films (he has another project in the works with CCM Acting student Debra Najor). Comstock is grateful for his formative time at CCM:

"Media Production has been a fantastic program for me," he says. "Don Hancock, Kenneth Allen and Kevin Burke have all been great mentors. They've given me a lot of confidence and a lot of freedom to explore various ideas. Thomas McKee and John Owens have been very supportive as well."

"I'm very thankful to have been a part of such a great program. I look back on my time at CCM, and it was just a constant barrage of great opportunities. I'm very thankful for these instructors, as well as the students. I've gotten to collaborate with so many talented people." 

To learn more about Kayla Baby or buy a virtual pass to Slamdance, visit the festival's website.

Learn more about CCM Media Production
Headshot of Lucy Evans

Lucy Evans

CCM Graduate Assistant, Marketing + Communications

Lucy Evans is an artist diploma student studying Opera-Vocal Performance at CCM. She is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music, and was recently an Apprentice Artist with the Santa Fe Opera.

Photo at the top: Behind-the-scenes of the making of "Kayla Baby." Photos provided by Clark Comstock. 

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