Looking Back at WWII’s Legacy in Germany, in Film
DavisConnects sent Colby students to Austria and Germany for a hands-on look at documentary film production
Films, lectures, and slideshows are no substitute for following in the footsteps of history with a camera in your hand.
With help from DavisConnects, three students traced the history of World War II across Austria and Germany through the lens of documentary filmmaking. Over the course of seven days, the group explored famous WWII-era sites in Salzburg, Munich, and Dachau, working hands-on with documentary filmmakers and photographers.
“Overall, the trip was a fantastic abroad opportunity for our students and one that helped each deepen their understanding of the film industry,” said David Ding, advisor for STEM professions and coordinator for this trip. “Students got firsthand exposure to filmmaking, shadowing and assisting the crew in taking photographs, film, and other media work under the guidance of veteran filmmakers.”
This trip brought history to life for Alison Angley ’26, a studio art and English double major. “I really enjoyed actually going to the sites that I’ve read about,” she said. “I had no idea every single detail that went into taking one shot. With documentaries, you’re calculating exactly how you’re going to tell a story even before you film, and that really surprised me. I had never interacted with that side of film before.”
It was Angley’s first time assisting filmmakers and going behind the camera. “I thought the dynamic on set was really interesting,” she said. “You have to be conscious of who’s around you, what shots are being taken, and listening to the filmmaker to make sure they’re getting what they need, whether that’s setting up the area or keeping other people out of the shot. You always have to be ready, even if you’re not the one filming.”
For Sophia Ronchetti ’25, this trip echoed some of her coursework as an English major and cinema studies minor, an interdisciplinary program that includes coursework in English, music, religious studies, and more. Students take courses that cover the history of film, digital and online media, and international media studies.
“I’ve taken several film classes at Colby, and so we’ve been able to be hands-on making documentaries in class,” said Ronchetti.
“Taking what I’ve already learned about interviewing people or setting up shots and connecting it to what a career looks like was so helpful.”
Sophia Ronchetti ’25
On the trip, she loved seeing the people behind the scenes of bringing a film to life. “I think for me, meeting the filmmakers and journalists was so amazing. I learned so much on this trip,” she said. “I feel like I have a better understanding of the industry and how you make connections on set.”
This is just one example of the ways DavisConnects sponsors on-campus and abroad-based experiential learning so students can connect their classroom learning with in-person instruction. Said Ding, “Few other experiences can compare to the exposure, engagement with professionals, and educational mission of a trip like this.”
