About the Film
College roommates & friends navigate a year of challenges, raw emotions, and unique successes inherent in a mentorship program that pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities in a campus environment.
SYNOPSIS: And They Were Roommates focuses on a pair of college roommates: Kylie (a junior studying Education) and Olivia (a freshman studying Studio Arts who identifies as an individual with a disability). Both new to their roles in Syracuse University's InclusiveU Residential Program, they discover that inclusive peer mentorship at the college level comes with a unique set of challenges, successes and emotions that no one prepared them for. Throughout the academic year, their video blogs (vlogs) expose the realities of inclusive mentorship from a student perspective. Interviews with eleven of their peers, fulfilling roles as both inclusive mentees and mentors, adds multiple perspectives to the college story.
As a participatory and reflexive documentary, And They Were Roommates: Navigating Inclusive Mentorship in Higher Education provides thematic insight and counsel to the questions, thoughts, strategies, and triumphs that are uncovered when students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities work to foster mutually beneficial and sustainable mentor/mentee relationships as well as friendships.
Meghan.
Andrew.
Chloe.
Madii.
Dave.
Ashley.
Sally.
Rexy.
Laura.
Jon.
Matt.
Olivia.
Kylie.
The Crew
Kylie Walter
Director, Editor, Videographer & Cast
Kylie (she/her/hers) was a junior at Syracuse University’s School of Education and Residential Mentor/roommate to Olivia during the production of And They Were Roommates. With no prior filmmaking experience or education, she relied on educational practices, YouTube editing tutorials, and feedback from (very patient) friends and professors to guide the creative process. Kylie enjoys running, dance, podcasts, and has a newfound love for film. After making the film, she went on to work towards her M. Ed. and teach in Boston.
Olivia Baist
Videographer, Editor & Cast
Olivia (she/her/hers) identifies as a person with a disability and was a first-year student studying Studio Arts through Syracuse University's Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education during production. Olivia co-filmed And They Were Roommates, taking the lead for vlog-styled footage, and co-edited the short version of the film with no prior experience. Olivia loves dancing, painting, jewelry making, and participating in clubs on campus. After making the film, Olivia continued to thrive at Syracuse University and started mentoring other students.
Thank you:
This project would not have been possible without Olivia Baist. Her eagerness towards inclusive college life, creativity in using cinematography for communication, and goal of sharing the joint experience with future students is what sparked the production of this film.
Christy Ashby and Beth Myers served the advisor and reader for the university thesis portion of the project. Their continuous encouragement, conversations, critique, and advice are what encouraged this project to continue beyond its original intent.
To the community of people that made this all possible, we thank you.
& so many more
PRESENTATION CREDIT
The Renée Crown Honors Program provided funding for the majority of project costs and supplied advice that sparked new ideas from start to finish. The program's intersectional learning opportunities encouraged the content and impact of this project to dig deep and far. They also proved to be a consistent supporter in sharing this film with others and recognizing its significance.
The School of Education at Syracuse University provided Kylie with a foundational understanding of educational practices and conscious advocacy for disability rights in addition to financially supporting this project. Their support and teachings provided necessary understandings that supported Kylie's role as a mentor and life-long learner. Many educational practices and philosophies were embedded in all aspects of the filmmaking process as well.
The Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education, and the InclusiveU program, introduced two life-long friends, Kylie and Olivia. The Taishoff Center and InclusiveU provided unmatched support throughout the entire filmmaking (and mentorship) process. Without their generosity, thoughtfulness, and dedication to inclusivity, this project simply would not have been possible.
MUSIC
Lauren Walter makes a debut with her original, "Tomorrow", in the film. The song was exchanged for $1. Lauren is one of Kylie's fantastically cool siblings.
The film also features various Artlist artists: Paper Planes, Ziv Moran, Greg McKay, Low Light, Lance Conrad, Assaf Ayalon, LUMINAR, LiQWYD, Muted, Russo, Katrina Stone and Rex Banner. YouTube Music artist Ann Annie is also featured.
And They Were Roommates (Short)
Two years after the original project's completion, Kylie and Olivia edited and released a shorter version of the film to reach a wider audience. This project contains some elements from the original film, with a shifted focus on the growth of their friendship.
SPECIFICATIONS:Runtime - 00:11:18Project Budget - 517 (USD)Production - Oct. 2018 - Aug. 2019Post-Production - Nov. 2021 - Feb. 2022Language - EnglishCountry - United States of America (New York)Film Type - Short Documentary Accessibility Features - Closed Captions, Open Captions (English)
Note: this website and project uses person-first language to respect the preferences and identities of those in the film at the time of filmmaking.