‘Bad Student Studios’ fosters community through creativity
Written by Meg Aki, Photos courtesy of Henry Locke
One of the main benefits many students find in attending SCAD is the opportunity to make connections with fellow creatives while working collaboratively, gaining experience in their fields. However, when the pandemic hit, that sense of community went virtual and collaboration seemed to get put on hold. Frustrated at the lack of opportunities available, A.J. Daniels, second-year dramatic writing student, decided to create his own opportunities instead.
Daniels wrote a script for his animated comedy series, ‘Supermates’ and to bring his project to fruition, he recruited some friends as well as some new faces. This team of students is made up of a variety of majors at SCAD including production design, animation, performing arts, sequential art and sound design to name a few. The collaboration on this project eventually led to the creation of the core team of Daniels’ production company, Bad Student Studios.
“I came up with the name Bad Student Studios because, up until college, I always found myself struggling to be a good student while also being a good artist,” said Daniels. “I felt like I spent most of my time just focusing on just art and not the academic side, but when it comes to SCAD, it feels like there’s this lovely cohesion between the two where I can work the same way I did when I was considered a ‘bad student’ in high school but not be forced into that kind of title anymore.”
Bad Student Studios prides itself on not being limited to any one medium, genre or style. While still working on the comedic ‘Supermates,’ Daniels kept busy by starting production on his upcoming project, ‘Comforter’ which is a dramatic short film about addiction set to be released at the end of April. The experimentation doesn’t end there, however, as preproduction has already begun for a music video that the studio is creating for local Savannah artist Fizz.
It seems impossible to imagine having enough time for all of this on top of the heavy workload of SCAD classes, but Daniels and his team somehow manage to do it all. The trust and dedication of this group of students powering them through their work.
“I look for people that are going to get something out of working together. People that are not only willing to be part of a team but will also benefit from whatever project we’re doing,” said Daniels. “I honestly don’t want anyone on a project who doesn’t feel like this is helping them learn or grow as a creative. Obviously, I want people to have fun but also be here because this is what they’re passionate about doing.”
Kai Reinhard, second-year film and television student, met Daniels when he began working with Bad Student Studios as the cinematographer for ‘Comforter.’ Despite only knowing one another for a short time, Reinhard definitely echoes Daniels’ sentiment about hard work and appreciates the community that this endeavor has formed.
“Miraculously, we all just somehow think alike. We’re all very strong willed and know what we want to achieve, but we’re also super open to the ideas around us, which built some really great trust as a crew,” said Reinhard.
As tight-knit as the crew is, that doesn’t mean they’re not open to interchanging positions to explore other interests. Ireland McKee, second-year production design student, has a concentration in costume design but has contributed to Bad Student Studios as the producer on ‘Supermates’ as well as managing props on ‘Comforter.’ In addition, Mike Scandora, second-year animation student, used the opportunity of working on the storyboards for ‘Supermates’ to also explore a passion for voice acting. Everyone on the team is encouraged to use this as an opportunity to gain experience in whatever excites them creatively.
“Personally, it’s been really fun taking up so many different hats like producer, art director, writer; it’s just amazing. I want to be a writer, but in the meantime while we’re still growing, you have to go out and experiment,” said Daniels. “I think that’s one of my favorite parts about all of this: just learning so much about myself and other people. Watching people flourish when you give them space to be creative. I think that’s the most beautiful thing.”
If you’re interested in collaborating with Bad Student Studios, they can be reached on their Instagram @badstudentstudios.
