Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts has opened its newly acquired movie theater with a screening of “It Ends,” a feature film produced with support from the college and contributions from current students. The event was the first official use of the new facility, formerly Governor’s Square theater complex in Tallahassee.
The screening included a question-and-answer session with writer-director Alex Ullom and producers Carrie Carusone and Evan Barber, all graduates of FSU’s film school Class of 2020. “Watching our alumni return to the place where their creative partnerships began and seeing them work alongside and mentor the next generation is a reminder of how transformative the filmmaking process can be,” said Dean Reb Braddock.
“It Ends” was produced in association with Torchlight Studios, using Torchlight’s Virtual Production Stage and equipment provided by alumni. The production used an LED volume screen to shoot vehicle scenes on a soundstage rather than on location.
Ullom said, “The FSU film family runs deep. I was so grateful to be able to come back and help mentor the current students the same way FSU alumni in Los Angeles have helped me on this whirlwind of an experience. This film could not have happened without the support of the college and Tallahassee community. I’m so grateful for the reactions to the film.”
The film had its premiere at South by Southwest in March and currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Barber described returning to FSU for the screening as significant: “This was a full-circle moment for us. We started this journey at FSU, and to be back here screening our first feature in the new facility —it’s hard to put into words.”
During production, one logistical challenge involved modifying a vehicle to fit through a hallway for stage access. Carusone explained, “We convinced Dean Braddock to let us cut a Jeep in half to fit it through the hallway to the stage. It was a wild idea, but it worked with just half an inch to spare.”
The crew included alumni from both 2020 and 2021 classes as well as current students such as Julio Aceituno and Sean Denney from BFA Class of 2026. Denney noted, “They brought us in like family. Even though we weren’t in the program yet, they treated us like peers. It was a tight-knit group, and we learned so much.”
Barber highlighted that collaborative culture: “The film school has a reputation for students who are incredibly skilled, full of hard workers who are communicative and collaborative. FSU has some special secret sauce that fosters that. I don’t know any other film program in the country that supports alumni as much as FSU does.”
Braddock added that such events reflect the college’s mission: “This is exactly what we hope for — that our students leave here not only with skills, but with a community they can build with,” he said. “Seeing Alex, Carrie and Evan return to share their work with the next generation is a testament to the strength of that community.”
Growing Up Dead Films, formed by members of this team, continues developing projects after this debut feature.
“It Ends” will have another public showing at the Tallahassee Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 26 at Challenger Center; Barber will join actor Mitchell Cole for another Q&A following that screening.
For further details about programs or screenings visit film.fsu.edu.
