Blue Demons and Film Students Make Movie Magic - DePaul Blue Demons

CHICAGO – Filmgoers making their way to the CDM Theater in the basement of the Daley Building (14 E. Jackson) on June 10 are in for a real cinematic treat.

Grab some popcorn, settle back in your seat and open your mind and your heart to some moviemaking magic.

What began last fall as this ambitious and never-been-done-before partnership between the School of Cinematic Arts and DePaul Athletics has evolved 10 months later into four short films that bring their subjects to life with that special brand of big-screen enchantment.

Here's a synopsis of the featured attractions being rolled out at 5:30 p.m. on Premier Night in the Loop Campus.

Against All Odds is an inspirational story about DePaul discus thrower, Noelle Malkamaki. Directed by Justin Roy, Noel's family, friends and teammates tell the story of how Noelle grew as a person and a differently-abled athlete while never letting others shape how she sees herself.

Directed by Julian Trejo Bax, Coyote Boys follows the story of Blue Demon cross country/track and field runners Ryan Taylor and Dominic Bruce who saved a six-year-old child from a coyote attack in Lincoln Park.

Driven captures the spirit of coach Marie Zidek as she reshapes the DePaul volleyball program with her relentless leadership and dynamic passion for life. As she works to turn the program into an NCAA contender, Zidek discovers more about who she is as a coach through being a new mother. Directed by Sarah Strus.

Off The Field is the story of DePaul soccer player Patrick Watkins discussing his journey from Maryland to Chicago, playing the sport he loves and discovering his version of activism during a tumultuous time in American history. Directed by Afua Wadie Oppong.

If this feels a bit like the real Hollywood, that's because documentary class instructor/producer Brad Riddell has written four produced feature films for Paramount, MTV, Fox, and Universal.

His directorial debut, Later Days, is streaming on all major platforms and he is currently writing the comedy Back to the Grind for legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk and Branded Pictures Entertainment.

Riddell walked a veritable tightrope establishing parameters for his young directors while also granting them the creative freedom to express their personal vision.

To be sure, there were pitfalls along the way, production setbacks and last-minute improvising as Riddell's students experienced the joys and frustrations of bringing a project to the silver screen.

"Against All Odds is a beacon of inspiration," Riddell said. "Justin does a remarkable job telling Noelle's story, and it will be hard for anyone to keep their eyes dry by the end of the film.

"Coyote Boys tells the story of how one innocent training run can save a life. Julian joined the class late, but when he heard this story was not selected in our first round of pitches, he jumped on it and worked incredibly hard to detail how being in the right place at the right time is luck---but taking action to help is a choice.

"Driven is Sarah's directorial debut, which is astounding as the production shifted under her feet several times. But she persisted to deliver a lovely character study focused on the relationships between motherhood and coaching.

"In Off the Field, Afua Wadie Oppong brings to life Patrick's journey toward activism as he moves from an all-Black team in Florida to what was then an all-white men's soccer team at DePaul. In the wake of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor's murders, Patrick realized he had to do more and used his DePaul platform to work toward change on our campus and in the BIG EAST. Afua was a steady force in our class, setting an example for other filmmakers and lending a hand on multiple projects."

Riddell reflected on what he experienced since last September, noting the connection between sports and filmed entertainment has never been stronger and the demand for content has never been higher.

DePaul recruits student-athletes from all over the country and around the world with a unique perspective and story to tell. The School of Cinematic Arts is cultivating the next generation of filmmakers uniquely positioned to tell their stories.

"This class was all about teamwork and collaboration, and these films were entirely student made," Riddell said. "Behind each of these directors were cinematographers, sound mixers, editors, animators, and colorists who contributed their time and talent to the making of these stories.

"Filmmaking is as much of a team effort as any sport there is."

And when DePaul Athletics teams up with Riddell's gifted students, you might as well just hoist the "W" flag.

It's a win-win all the way around.

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