CSU students head to the mountains to shoot a horror film

Big Bear, California, is usually a place for tourists to enjoy many activities such as Snowboarding/Skiing, exploring the village, enjoying water sports on the lake, Oktoberfest, or even camping during the seasons. To most, it’s exactly that, but to young filmmakers, it is an area of possibility regarding location.

A group of CSU students decided Big Bear was the perfect backdrop for a horror film. I found them through a listing online looking for funding for the film and asked if I could join the crew as a BTS photographer/videographer to which they agreed, and I was on my way.

Despite sounding like the beginning of a horror story considering the circumstance, I can assure you it was quite the opposite.

The cast and crew were all down to earth and welcoming people willing to hear out any creative ideas a person had about a scene or anything else.

By Alec Escarcega Staff Writer

To my surprise, they had created an environment that was positive and receptive which was new, especially factoring in other film sets I’ve been on in the past.

I quickly became familiar and rather chatty with most of the cast during my visit. One, in particular, was executive producer Larry Sayers. Sayers shared that nearly everyone in the cast was a student at USC currently.

“Yes most of us are either third or fourth years with the exception of I believe two people who are now in the grad program and then a couple of us having already graduated,” said Sayers.

The film is part of a program on campus, and according to Sayers, the specific program is not for everyone, but these students were dedicated to seeing it and the finished product for the film through.

“The program on campus isn’t for everyone and usually those who stick through it and continue on are usually the ones who agree to come to these shoots,” said Sayers. What I found most impressive throughout the entire weekend was the culture they had brought with them from campus. What I mean by this is; it was refreshing to see a young group of students all with one goal in mind. To make the best film they can create. There weren’t any excuses made to one another throughout the weekend, but instead, answers and options were offered when an idea wasn’t working.

By Denise Santana Copy Editor

California State University, San Bernardino, student and musician Andy Paisley wrote Year of the Rat, an album inspired by the insurrection that took place on January 6, 2020, at the U.S. Capitol.

Year of the Rat references the Chinese zodiac animal for 2020, the rat. In the album’s songs, Paisley highlighted 45th President Donald Trump, capitalism, and police brutality.

“The title is referencing the year 2020 in the Chinese Calendar. 2020 is the Year of the Rat,” said Paisley.

Paisley shared his belief that