Marjorie Short

In 1977, I received a Master of Science in Documentary Filmmaking at Boston University's School of Communication. My masters thesis film, "Kudzu," was nominated for an Oscar, won 13 film festival awards, screened at international film festivals, on PBS, and had several theatrical runs. I was the first BU student to be nominated for an Oscar. I then developed several documentary and TV projects. I was an Associate Producer on "Evening Magazine" during my tenure in the Group W Management Program. After that, I transitioned to commercials, working as a location scout and script supervisor. I was Location Mgr. on "Mission Hill," an independent feature. I was Associate Producer on a number of award-winning corporate films and videos. I was accepted into the Academy/American Film Institute Directing Internship program, and I was placed on a feature film shot in Ohio, "Mischief." I then moved to LA, where I lived in Hollywood for ten years. I was a Directing Fellow at the AFI Center for Advanced Film Studies. I was Assistant Producer on "Dynasty" for 23 episodes. I created a feature film treatment from a real-life story with a colleague. It was developed into a screenplay at Paramount. I then developed a TV movie based on another real life story, and several other feature film projects. I co-developed and co-wrote an original screenplay, which was optioned by the team that made "Rocky." I also did research and story development for Alan Landsburg Productions. In 1988, I was selected as one of the "125 Alumni to Watch" by UMass Amherst. In 1989, I became member of the Motion Picture Academy. For three years, I studied flamenco dance in LA, and was a member of a dance company. We performed at the Fiesta de Santa Barbara twice, and did several performances in LA. After 10 years in Hollywood, I relocated to Washington, DC, where I developed a music performance program intended for broadcast on PBS. The Library of Congress also commissioned me to produce and direct a promotional video about an influential female patron of music. I returned to the Boston area in 1997. Since then, I've worked outside the entertainment industry, while maintaining my membership with and responsibilities to the Motion Picture Academy, in the Documentary Branch. In 2012, I was invited to give a talk at UMass Amherst, "My Life in Film: The Short Version." In 2015, I co-produced, "Kudzu at 40," at Georgia Perimeter College, at which I was the featured speaker. My writing partner and I revised our original screenplay, and we are in the process of trying to get it produced, despite the pandemic. I am also writing a personal story set during my time at UMass. I hope to get it published, and also turn it into a feature film. I am a long-time member of the Cantemus Chamber Chorus, although we are unable to meet, rehearse, sing, or perform in person for the foreseeable future, due to COVID-19.

I was an English Major. For three years, I lived in 2110 Coolidge, and off campus senior year. I treasure my time at UMass. I got a terrific education, and I had opportunities that led to many unforeseen and live-changing adventures. I can honestly say that every good thing in my life has come from my time at UMass. All my major relationships, and several important boyfriends! I served on the Coolidge Upper Standards Council and was vice president for a time. I wrote a few columns for the Daily Collegian under Squaw Talk. I got involved in theatre during second semester, sophomore year, when I was cast as Princess Katharine in Shakespeare's "Henry V." That totally changed the direction of my life, and put me on the road to the film career that I ended up following. Afterwards, I began taking theatre courses, and studied acting. That led to an audition for a small speaking role in "Silent Night, Lonely Night." It was directed by Dan Petrie, and starred Lloyd Bridges and Shirley Jones. It turned out that the role was ground-breaking for TV, and a bit shocking and racy. (Available for view on YouTube!) I played "Young Ginny," the Cloris Leachman character in a flash-back sequence, opposite the young Jeff Bridges, who played his dad in the flash-back. That fall, I was cast in a small, but pivotal role in "Either Way," a feature film written by and starring the famous Comparative Literature professor Jack Deaver. I also had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the Oxford Summer Seminar at Trinity College, the summer of 1970. Another phenomenal and life-changing event.