UMassterclass

Students in the Film Studies Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • 5.0 (2)
  • TV & FILM
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The official, award-winning podcast of the Film Studies program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst! Your go-to show for students, filmmakers, and film faculty getting educated, together, on all things film, television, and screen media. UMassterclass is written and produced by students in the Film Studies program at UMass Amherst. Hosts Rianna Jakson and Kiefer Callewaert. Production crew Gabby Mosher, Ryan Gies, Mariana Carmo, Ved Shankavaram, and Kaliska Wiley.

  1. 11/23/2025

    S4E3: Lee Chang-dong & Representations of Trauma

    Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by Bella Livoti as her final project for Film Auteurs last fall. This first episode of two begins to highlight emotional representation of trauma in film by Lee Chang-dong. Take a listen and enjoy! Hosted/Produced by Conrad Johnson and Chloe Mills // Edited by Conrad Johnson // Team: Maggie Belanger, Ev Fuss Theme by Conrad Johnson

    34 min

  2. 09/30/2025

    S4E2: Queering Culture, the Desire Trilogy

    Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by former UMass students, Ceeb Kennedy and Brian Licata! Both students graduated in the spring of 2025, having participated in the Film Studies program. In this episode, Ceeb and Brian take a closer look into the works of Luca Guadagnino, specifically "I Am Love (2009)," "A Bigger Splash (2015)," and "Call Me by Your Name (2017)." Take a listen! Hosted/Produced by Chloe Mills and Conrad Johnson // Edited by Chloe Mills // Team: Maggie Belanger, Ev Fuss Theme by Conrad Johnson

    1h 39m

  3. 09/04/2025

    S4E1: Monty Python

    Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by the team's new co-host, Conrad Johnson! This episode looks at interviews with the cast and production team of the Monty Python series, reviewing techniques and unique stylistic choices in order to maintain a certain comedic style while keeping a low budget. Take a listen! Hosted/Produced by Chloe Mills // Edited by Conrad Johnson Theme by Conrad Johnson

    22 min

  4. 02/24/2024 · BONUS

    Special Episode: Bridget Jones’s Diary / Easy A / But I’m a Cheerleader

    Today, UMassterclass is featuring a special episode with the team's own Gabby Mosher! The Romantic Comedy: a movie that appeals mostly to women. Exploring love and romance by utilizing humor, this genre is often overlooked by the film industry. Gabby talks about this overlooked genre from a feminist perspective, exploring how the romantic comedy can both adhere to gender norms as well as empower women. Hosted by Gabrielle Mosher / Written and Researched by Gabrielle Mosher & Kaliska Wiley | Edited by Ryan Gies | Theme music by Ryan Gies Originally produced Spring 2023.

    21 min

  5. 05/03/2023

    S3E2: 30th Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival

    Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the MMFF with UMassterclass! In this episode, host Rianna Jakson talks to Co-Director Daniel Pope on the meaning of this year's theme, "Before After" and each transformative film of the program! Listen to Rianna speak with director Ishtar Yasin Gutiérrez (My Lost Country / Baladi Aldaia, 2022) and award-winning director/cinematographer David Siev (dir. Bad Axe, 2022). Featuring the voices of Nefeli Forni Zervoudaki, Kathy Roberts Forde, Daniel Pope, Emma Pildes & Tia Lessin (The Janes, 2022), David Siev & Rosie Walunas (Bad Axe, 2022), Danielle Deadwyler (Till, 2022) (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon). All events are free and open to the public! To participate in the festival, go to: ⁠https://blogs.umass.edu/mmff/ The 30th annual Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival is curated by Daniel Pope and Nefeli Forni Zervoudaki and presented by the Interdepartmental Program in Film Studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Barbara Zecchi, Director. This year’s theme also explores experiences in the wake of pivotal moments when the “after” has not yet arrived.  Films this season address the global pandemic, reproductive rights, racial justice, migration, and war, as well as personal relationships, transformations, and victories.  From intimate stories to historical upheavals, from heroic struggles to unforeseen joys, this season features documentary films, narrative features, and series spanning stories from Hungary, South Korea, Uganda, United States, Ukraine, Italy, Israel, Denmark, Chile, Iraq, and Cambodia. The festival hosts six filmmakers present for post-screening discussions. Screenings are accompanied by critical introductions by scholars and filmmakers. With gratitude to the interns of the MMFF30. Hosted by Rianna Jakson | Edited by Rianna Jakson | Podcast theme by Ryan Gies | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino

    39 min

  6. TRAILER

    Welcome to UMassterclass!

    Welcome to UMassterclass, the official, award-winning podcast of the Film Studies program at UMass Amherst! Get a taste of what the show is like, meet every member of the team, and learn more about the origins of UMassterclass! Hosted by Rianna Jakson & Kiefer Callewaert | Edited by Ryan Gies | Theme Music by Ryan Gies | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino

    4 min

  7. 03/22/2023

    S3E1: Pretty Little Liars / Deep Red

    In this special episode, host Rianna Jakson discusses Pretty Little Liars (showrunner I. Marlene King) and Deep Red (or, Profondo russo) (1975, dir. Dario Argento). This episode was produced through Professor Daniel Pope's Film Writing & Criticism Course of Fall 2022. Celebrating International Teach Music Week (March 20-26), listen to Rianna take in-depth look at how the music of the hit teen drama series, Pretty Little Liars, was crafted, what defines the music of the Giallo film genre and how they are connected! With guests Carl Clements, Nefeli Forni, & Briana Hodge. Featuring the works of Michael Suby, an American tv and film score producer and music producer. Hosted/Edited/Produced by Rianna Jakson | Introduction by Rianna Jakson | Podcast Art by Jacky Celestino | Theme Music by Ryan Gies

    54 min

  8. 02/14/2023 · BONUS

    Special Episode: King of Hearts / The Jerk

    First special episode of the new year! Today, UMassterclass is featuring an episode by the team’s very own Kaliska Wiley! This special was produced through Professor Daniel Pope’s Film Writing and Criticism course, where students study films from an array of genres, periods in film history, international cinemas, and underrepresented voices. In a podcast workshop, Wiley and her friend, Andrew Bove, take a look at two vastly different comedies: King of Hearts (1966) and The Jerk (1979). Between these two movies they call their parents’ favorites, they chat about how to define comedy, madness, & theatrical clowning. Let’s take a listen! Happy Valentine’s day! Hosted/Edited/Produced by Kaliska Wiley & Andrew Bove | Introduced by Rianna Jakson | Podcast art by Jacky Celestino | Theme music by Ryan Gies

    25 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The official, award-winning podcast of the Film Studies program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst! Your go-to show for students, filmmakers, and film faculty getting educated, together, on all things film, television, and screen media. UMassterclass is written and produced by students in the Film Studies program at UMass Amherst. Hosts Rianna Jakson and Kiefer Callewaert. Production crew Gabby Mosher, Ryan Gies, Mariana Carmo, Ved Shankavaram, and Kaliska Wiley.

Information

  • Creator
    Students in the Film Studies Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Students in the Film Studies Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • Show Website
    UMassterclass