Young Middleboro filmmaker headed in creative direction

MIDDLEBORO — “What if this could be a film?’’

Danielle Duggan, long-time Middleboro High School fine arts teacher and drama department chair, asked that question several years ago after reading a poem, “10:13,’’ written by student Savannah Byrne.

Middleboro High School student Dorothy Ferrigno took up the challenge

Byrne’s work reflected, in a few short, stark lines, the late-night pressures students experience as they consider the work ahead, the need to succeed, the seemingly bottomless to-do list.

Ferrigno, who attended four years of television production class with teacher Adam Pelletier, transformed Byrne’s words into a video, also called “10:13.’’ 

The film, with images of darkness, clocks and endless torn papers, won Ferrigno the national Best Student Director award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The award came as a pleasant surprise, Ferrigno said.

Working on the film further fueled her interest in film production, an enthusiasm that was sparked by Pelletier’s class. “One of my favorite parts of filmmaking is using my creativity to make ideas come to life,’’ she wrote after winning the award.

“I love the way it comes to life,’’ she said. “How to take the creative path, set a scene and direct the action.’’

She also won for directing a music video, “Bad Things,’’ by Cults.

She gives much of the credit for her success to Pelletier, who she thanked for his “guidance and support. His passion for TV production and teaching constantly inspired me and I wouldn’t be here today without his dedication and support.’’’

Her works helped earn admission to Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where she a freshman studying film/television media arts. The program will allow her to earn her bachelor’s degree in three years and a master’s degree in the fourth year.

She is enjoying her time at Quinnipiac, which includes classes where students watch good films to determine what makes them succeed. They also watched “a couple of bad films to see what was wrong’’ with them, she said with a laugh.

The university also offers an internship in Los Angeles, which she thinks will be “very helpful.’’

“You have to follow your passion,’’ she said, “and not about what’s going to make you the most money or be the easiest.’’

Her ultimate goal? To work on music videos, ideally by her favorites SZA or Taylor Swift. But “I’d be happy working with anyone. I love all types of music.’’

But wherever her future leads, her Middleboro past will travel with her.

Duggan, the teacher who encouraged her to make the video, died in October 2022 at 56.

The video is dedicated to her memory.

Her inspiration will live on as Ferrigno continues to edit and direct her future.