Student Profile: Adam Zanzie

Where are you from and what brought you here to the David Lynch MA?

In November 2009, I journeyed from St. Louis, MO to Fairfield, IA to attend MIU’s annual David Lynch Visitors Weekend. On the first night of the event, my family and I wound up sitting in the front row next to David Lynch and Donovan (shown left). I was 18 years old at the time and was a huge fan of David Lynch, so getting to meet him was a thrill. At the time, however, MIU did not have a film production program, so after my short visit, I returned to St. Louis.

Five years later, while getting my Bachelor’s degree at Webster University, I received word that Lynch had established a Master’s in Film program at MIU. Since I didn’t have a clear plan of what to do once I graduated from Webster, I applied for the David Lynch MA in Film program with great eagerness, determined to use it not only as an opportunity to cross paths with Lynch once again, but also to make another film.

How are you liking the MA program?

I like the program’s flexibility; it provides me with a sufficient amount of time to shoot a film. I also like how the program recruits great filmmakers from all around the world and allows me to forge long-lasting creative connections with them. 

Are there any teachers who had a particularly strong influence in your studies here so far?

I loved Roger Wolfson’s class because he taught us how to pitch our films, a skill I didn’t possess before. I really learned a lot from our classes with him. I was fascinated by Anthony Meindl’s acting classes, particularly by the way he would take apart scenes from our scripts and find alternative approaches to them through improvisation; this is a method I have begun using on my own sets. Steve Schott was a big help as well. When I had a bit of trouble casting one of the lead roles in my film, Steve referred me to a talent agency where I was able to find the perfect actress for the part. 

What is your MA thesis film about?

My MA thesis film is an adaptation of “The Parasite”, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1894. The story follows a young couple named Austin and Agatha, who are deeply in love and are soon to be happily married. They are then terrorized by a psychic woman named Helen Penclosa, who first hypnotizes Agatha, and then hypnotizes and seduces Austin, with the intent of killing them both.

This movie is going to have everything you’ve ever wanted in a movie: sex, violence, big drama, dark humor, strong emotions, and finally, the redeeming power of love itself. Again: everything you’ve ever wanted in a movie!

Adam (right) and David Lynch

What does your future hold?

After school, I’d like to pursue a career as a writer and director of feature films.

Gallery photos by Weber Photo: www.codyweberphotography.com