Student's First-Year Film Brings Healing and Hope

Campus Communications Staff / Feb 11, 2025

PhotoJulia Knopfel is a first-year Film and Television student at Columbia College Chicago.
First-year student Julia Knopfel collaborates with Columbia College Chicago classmates to share the painful story of her uncle’s murder on film and begin her journey as a filmmaker.

Julia Knopfel, a first-year Film and Television student at Columbia College Chicago, channeled her family’s grief into a deeply personal short documentary film about her uncle's tragic death. Titled Less Than $100, the film reflects on loss and healing. Made as her final project for her first semester Production class, Julia began to develop skills as a filmmaker and explore how film can help connect, inspire, and heal. 

 A Class Project Inspired by Personal Pain 

The idea for the film came when Steve Aptar, an adjunct professor of instruction at Columbia, asked students to create a project based on a personal event. Julia immediately thought of her Uncle Scott who was killed in a robbery in St. Louis years earlier. Julia decided to pursue the story, encouraged by her supportive father, Scott’s brother.  

"He told me, 'If you want to do this, you have my full support,'" Julia recalls. "That gave me the courage to move forward." 

"Less Than $100" pays tribute to Julia’s uncle but also emphasizes love and healing. In the film, you’ll find a quote from Julia’s dad that helped guide the message of the film: “In life, there are givers and takers. Be a giver.”  

 Lessons Learned in Filmmaking 

Julia’s first hands-on filmmaking experience at Columbia brought her face-to-face with the realities of production. Collaborating with classmates Sienna McMullen  (cinematography and editing) and Nadia Herrera (cinematography), Julia navigated the challenges of using professional equipment for the first time. “We were all learning together,” she says. "It was a huge learning curve, but we made it work." 

student at desk getting camera with two other students on other side of desk

One of the highlights of the production was filming at Chicago’s Oak Street Beach, where stunning sunset shots symbolized the themes of hope and healing. “Chicago was the perfect backdrop for the film," Julia says. "It gave the project an emotional depth we wouldn’t have had otherwise." 

The filmmaking process was an eye-opener for Julia. She quickly learned how much effort goes into every stage of production, from pre-production planning to hours of editing. "People don’t realize how much work it takes to make a film," she reflects. "But it’s worth every minute." 

Local News Opportunity Just the Beginning 

After completing the film, Julia reached out to local news outlets in St. Louis, seeking to honor her uncle’s memory through a wider audience. Her efforts paid off, with the local Fox station featuring her film and her uncle’s story. 

Looking ahead, Julia is excited to further explore documentary filmmaking in her Introduction to Documentaries class where she can pitch ideas and bring her visions to life. “I have some ideas in mind,” she says with enthusiasm. “I can’t wait to start creating.” 

Julia’s journey at Columbia is just beginning, and her first film proves that even painful experiences can be transformed into something meaningful. 

Watch “Less Than $100” on YouTube.  

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