For Jeff Stern, senior lecturer of English and Media Studies and recently named director of the Media and Culture Labs and Studio, filmmaking has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. As a child growing up in Ohio, Jeff spent summers making movies with a neighbor and a VHS camera documenting life as kids and playing the role of an investigative reporter (he still has copies of his early work and vows to upload them someday).

Though filmmaking piqued his interest early in life, it wasn’t until college that he began to think seriously about a career in film. “Like most pursuits, it started off as something fun and unserious that we all enjoyed doing,” said Jeff. “I went to college in the '90s during the golden age of American independent film. I was very into directors like Richard Linklater and Hal Hartley and was inspired by what they were doing with small budgets and unknown actors. They made making a film seem possible.”
 

That inspiration led Jeff to enroll in Boston University’s MFA film program, where he honed his skills in editing, directing and narrating, all talents that he’s been sharing with Bentley students since joining the English and Media Studies department in 2006. But teaching classes ranging from video production and directing to the history of American independent film isn’t the only way he keeps his filmmaking skills sharp. Jeff also remains an active and avid filmmaker, writing, directing and producing short films like “The Morning of Everything,” “My Dark Side and My Light Side Meet In A Bar To Discuss The New Star Wars Movie” and “This Fog,” which all earned play time at film festivals across the country.

While he’s proud of each of his works, his 2014 short film “The Morning of Everything” holds a special place in his heart. What he describes as a “fever dream about fatherhood,” the short film features a world as envisioned by a father through the eyes of his 3-year-old son in search of his lost stuffed owl. The heartfelt work explores growing up and facing a sometimes-scary world for both a father and son, made all the more special by the film’s star — Jeff’s then 3-year-old son Leo.

In addition to starring in the film, Jeff ensured that Leo was a contributor to the film's creative approach. When Jeff asked his son what the film’s character should imagine seeing in the world, Leo suggested a backhoe filled with watermelons and muffins. Jeff obliged, renting a backhoe for the scene and filling it with just that, perfectly capturing the imaginative mind of a child.

“I have made many films, but this is the one that I am most proud of, and it is also probably my most personal,” explained Jeff. “The film played at many festivals and really seemed to connect with people, particularly parents.” In total, “The Morning of Everything” earned an official selection at 12 film festivals across the country and won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the Monadnock International Film Festival.

Jeff’s experience will continue to serve him well as he takes over as director of the Media and Culture Labs and Studio from Assistant Professor in English and Media Studies Liz LeDoux, whom he credits for teaching him a great deal over the years. “Without Liz, there would be no Media and Culture Labs,” said Jeff. “I have learned so much working with Liz over the years that I feel well set up to take over this position.”

With a full campus returning for the fall, Jeff looks forward to hosting more events and screenings to promote the impressive work of Bentley students throughout the year. That includes once again bringing the Bentley Film Fest — known as the BUFFYs — back to campus along with Liz. Each year, the festival presents the work of Bentley students in projects including graphic design, photography, animation, screenwriting and short films.
 

On campus, Jeff also looks forward to introducing more members of the community to the Media and Culture Labs' offerings. “I would love for more people to know about the great work that Bentley students are producing: films, animation, documentaries, fashion photography, video essays! I encourage everyone to come by the labs in Lindsay 10 to check out all of the creative media stuff that is going on there.”

When he’s not teaching and supporting the creative projects of students, Jeff spends time with his family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Ohio, Jeff has adopted the Red Sox and Celtics as his own, but don’t call him a Patriots fan (he’s still loyal to the Steelers).

Interested in exploring Jeff’s work? Make sure to check out “The Morning of Everything” and Jeff’s website below!

See Jeff’s Work   

Did you know that each year, the Center for Women and Business provides all faculty and staff with a subscription to Catalyst, a nonprofit organization with a mission to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion? Faculty and staff can create a free account any time with their Bentley email address by visiting Catalyst.org and selecting "Login" at the top right of the page and following the prompts to register. 

Catalyst has a wide variety of online tools, resources and workshops to support the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The nonprofit has been advocating for progress for women in the workplace for 60 years, and the Center for Women and Business wants to make sure faculty and staff can use the wide range of resources and services. 

Learn More and Register