Definitely Gangster: Film Screening & Conversation with JLee MacKenzie ’17 (CAREERtalk)

Join Champlain College Creative Media alumnus JLee MacKenzie ’17 for a screening of his feature animated film Definitely Gangster, followed by a discussion and Q&A about the film and the unconventional process behind its creation.

Definitely Gangster follows terminally ill 8-year-old Zander and his best friend Julie as they use a magical cardboard box to fulfill his dream of becoming “a little bit gangster.”

Created as MacKenzie’s graduate thesis at USC School of Cinematic Arts, the film was produced using DIY motion capture, Unreal Engine, and a largely independent production process. The evening will begin with a short behind-the-scenes video, followed by the film and a conversation about filmmaking, technology, independent production, and bringing the project from early experimentation to international festival screenings.

Fulfills the CAREERtalk InSight milestone. Must attend the full program to satisfy this requirement.

JLee MacKenzie ’17 Bio: JLee MacKenzie is a filmmaker and Champlain College alumnus, where he earned his BFA in Creative Media ’17. He later earned an MFA in Film & Television Production from USC School of Cinematic Arts. His films have screened at festivals including Tribeca Film Festival, American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, and Champs-Élysées Film Festival in Paris. His work often combines filmmaking, technology, hands-on experimentation, and unconventional approaches to independent production.