Southeast senior hits the big screen

When graduating mass communication major Joanna Wende finished her senior project it was "only natural" to rent a movie theater, screen the 30-minute film and donate the ticket profits to charity.

After working on a few feature films — the infamous "Killshot" and "Meet Bill" starring Jessica Alba — Wende knew how professional films were run and wanted nothing less for her own short film, beginning to end.

"I just think that it makes people feel that their work has paid off," Wende said. "Everyone feels like they've really worked toward something."

Her film, "S1ngle," tells the story of "a very confused young woman named Jackie who cannot function in the world without a relationship," Wende said. A psychiatrist instructs Jackie not to interact with men in any way, which of course leads to her having to finagle her way out of various situations.

"Value yourself and respect yourself and you will be respected," she said. "That's really the whole premise is to love yourself before you love others."

Wende started shooting the movie in December surrounded by her team — ironically, four men.

"It's been wonderful because I've been able to be a full-time director," she said. "I've been able to think creatively, while they do the technical jobs."

The one-time showing will be at 8 p.m. today at Cape West 14 Cine. Tickets are full price.

"We will be donating the ticket sales to the arthritis and diabetes foundations," Wende said. Her mother is a longtime sufferer of rheumatoid arthritis and her father was diagnosed with Type II diabetes.

Every senior was charged with finishing a project, but "Joanna's undertaking is a pretty intense endeavor," said Jim Dufek, professor and TV operations manager in the communications department at Southeast Missouri State University.

She and her crew started filming inside scenes over Christmas break and worked nights and weekends to finish the 30-minute project. Most films by students are about 10 minutes or less.

"It's a pretty impressive feat that she's done," he said.