Bringing imagination to life:

Deb Tackett won’t soon forget University of Michigan-Dearborn’s 48 Hour Film Festival. Working with classmates from the journalism and screen studies (JASS) program, the team had just two days to find actors, secure a location, obtain costumes, direct, film and edit a movie scene.

First, the power went out.

And then the sprinklers came on.

“What can we do to make this work?” the aspiring writer and director remembers thinking. “These things really help you think on your feet.”

For Tackett, who graduated Saturday, film is worth all the adversity because the final product brings imagination to life. She said her passion for film is derived from her professors.

“You have all of these talented people with a love for their craft passing it on to you,” Tackett said. “That is so valuable because when you have somebody who loves what they do and you can feel that energy, it makes you want to do it”

Filming wasn’t always Tackett’s path, though. She worked with people with developmental disabilities for more than 20 years, and originally came to UM-Dearborn to study teaching.

But after she took a script writing class, she realized that JASS was the place for her. While supporting her family, working full time, and going to school, Tackett said her professors were her number one supporters.

“I respect them immensely...I cannot speak highly enough about the JASS professors,” said Tackett, citing Clinical Professor Jim Gilmore, Assistant Professor Jen Proctor and Professor Carolyn Kraus among her favorites because of their never-ending willingness to help students.

Tackett gained experience from hands-on opportunities, in addition to the 48 hour film project. She interned with Greg Taylor, senior television engineer, helping to write and direct videos for UM-Dearborn emergency services, College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Degree Works program.

From these experiences, she said she gained important interpersonal skills that she expects will help with her future career. “When you’re directing or filming, you also have some type of engagement with other people, and you want to be able to bring out the best in someone and bring them to their fullest potential,” said Tackett.

Tackett plans to keep busy following graduation, applying for media positions within the metro Detroit area and finishing a book that she has started to write.