Communication and Media Arts Students Work on Feature Film Punch Andy

SUNY Erie Communication and Media Arts students had the summer of a lifetime working on the set of Luminary Figures Group’s production of Punch Andy, a feature film shot in Buffalo.  The company has released numerous projects in the past, including feature film Slapped Straight and short film Out of Place, which both won numerous film festival awards.

Students Destiny Garcia, Ernesto Sanchez, Cody Ryan, Molly Anderson, Myah Roland, Amyla Jackson, and Jeremy Dabney took on various roles in the film’s production, including script and continuity supervisors, production assistants, lighting, audio and camera operators, and hair and makeup artists.  They earned college internship credit for their work under the direction of SUNY Erie Communication and Media Arts Professor Gina O’Donnell.

“When David at Luminary approached me about this opportunity, I knew it would be a great, hands-on experience for the students working on a real movie set,” said O’Donnell. 

Table reads with actors began in May, with most filming completed during June and July at various locations around Buffalo, including the former Luna Lounge, Joe’s Pizza, WNY MMA & Fitness and residential areas.

 “I’ve personally had a great experience,” said Destiny Garcia, a sophomore who was promoted to assistant director after a few short weeks on the job. “I’ve learned to navigate lighting, audio and how to set up lavs and proper boom mics and their covers. They’ve given us the opportunity to dabble in a little bit of every aspect of the filming process which has been really great” she said.

“This was my first experience on a production like Punch Andy, and I walked away with a lot … new skills, new connections, and a better understanding of the demands and rhythms of this kind of work.” said Cody Ryan.  Ryan brings a diverse skill set to the table.  In addition to being a Communication and Media Arts student, he is also a licensed cosmetologist and worked as a hair and makeup artist on the film as well as a production assistant.

Luminary Figures Group is headed by filmmakers and creative directors David O. Anderson and Raynel T. Almonte. Writer and executive producer Andy Michalski stars in the film, along with Will Nemi, Nikki Markey, Dawn Cochran, Wendy Casey, Alyssa Grace Adams, and Eric Nicotera.  Punch Andy is a comedy about a former boxer who makes money letting people punch him, while learning about true friendship in the process. 

Director David Anderson is also a SUNY Erie student, majoring in cybersecurity. He hopes to bring some of the students back to work on future projects produced by Luminary Figures Group.

Punch Andy is expected to release in November, with a red-carpet premier for the film at a local theater.