Hi,

Our daughter, Juliette Benjamin, is in her senior year of film studies at DePaul University in Chicago, and she has a huge opportunity to participate in a study abroad internship program titled, "New Zealand on Film: Creating New Worlds".

Although some of the expenses of the program are covered through scholarship and student loans, there are still some food, equipment, and travel expenses which are not covered.

Throughout Juliette's high school and college career, she has directed, filmed, and edited several award winning videos. She has also filmed and edited many documentary video projects for the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, which include:

-- The Matthew Kocher Story

-- Danger Amidst the Beauty - The Ethan Seitzer Story

-- Rip Current Rescue (A majority of the Great Lakes section)

-- GLSRP LifeGuardians

Before, during, and after the trip, Juliette will study world-building in cinema with a focus on films shot in New Zealand. She will have the opportunity to observe the filmmaking industry in action while visiting many iconic locations that have been immortalized on film that include “Lord of the Rings,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mulan,” “Life of Pi,” “The Piano,” and “Elizabeth”.

Juliette is considering a "Great Lakes Water Safety" documentary as part of her final senior project where the 'world-building in cinema' internship experience will be directly enhanced.

Please consider donating today.

Thanks!

Dave & Marie Benjamin

SAMPLES OF HER PAST VIDEO PROJECTS

Cinematography Reel

Unofficial Music Videos

-- Billie Eilish – “You should see me in a crown”

*2019 First Place, Midwest Media Educators Association (MMEA)

-- Neptune – “Sleeping at Last”

*2020 Crystal Pillar Award – presented by the student division of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Upper-Midwest, which presents the annual Emmy Awards in Chicago.

-- "Out of Mind"

(This was an experimental student film project titled, “Out of Mind,” featuring Lou Reed's song, “Perfect Day”. )

Documentaries

-- “Danger Amidst the Beauty - The Ethan Seitzer Story” (Lake Michigan Drowning)

-- “The Matthew Kocher Story” (Lake Michigan Drowning)

*2020 Long Documentary Finalist, Golden Lion Film Festival

-- “Rip Current Rescue"

(The majority of the Lake Michigan Drowning and Rescue Stories)

Trailer

-- “GLSRP LifeGuardians” (The 2021 work of the GLSRP)

Past Cover Photos Used for this Fundraiser