Columbia Filmmakers Connect: Shari Springer Berman '95 and Constance Tsang '20

In this series we feature the new mentorship program that connects recent alumni with industry professionals.

To ease the transition from film school into the industry, Columbia University School of the Arts' Dean’s Council launched an initiative that connects those striving to make a name for themselves with those who have. Veteran alumni provide recent alumni ongoing guidance, contacts, and support while also strengthening the Columbia network around the world. In this series, we feature those pairs. We spoke with alumna and former Adjunct Assistant Professor Shari Springer Berman '95 and her mentee, alumna Constance Tsang '20.

Despite having only met a few months ago, Springer Berman and Tsang have a special relationship, a bond built on mutual respect and appreciation for each other, both as people and as filmmakers. “I had seen Shari's films before and I was always a fan," said Tsang during our interview. "The space she started out in is similar to what I'm trying to get into. I’m trying to embark on the kind of independent filmmaking that I had admired her so much for, so we were a great fit.” Springer Berman agreed. “It’s enriching for me as well. Because she's another amazing member of my circle of whom I can say, ‘Oh, I'm gonna totally hit her up to read a draft of my script.’ You're not getting off without helping,” she joked in Tsang’s direction.  

Tsang, who graduated in October 2020—the middle of the pandemic—remains devoted to her path. “During my time at Columbia, I got really lucky with one of my films and I achieved what I wanted to, like having projects ready to go and getting an agent. So coming out of the program wasn't as scary, even though it continues to terrify me to think about how I'm gonna make a living out of this crazy business that we're in.” Springer Berman chuckled and added, “By the way. It remains terrifying. It always is.”

Tsang's first feature film, Blue Sun Palace, is slated for production in November 2022. She recently secured her first round of financing, and is grateful for Springer Berman's guidance along the way. “The last call Shari and I had was about budgets and what to settle for. Not to go into the nitty gritty, but we’re having much more practical conversations than I was used to at Columbia because I didn't do any of the production classes there. This is a little bit new for me. Speaking to an experienced filmmaker who has gone through this process has been very helpful.” Springer Berman whole-heartedly agreed. “I'm so glad we're in a space now where it's not just hypothetical, but it's really about: ‘Okay, here is a script, here's a budget. Where and what can I cut?’”

In their meetings, the two have also discussed other aspects of the industry, like being a female in a male-dominated field. “I really was excited to hear I was matched with a female director," Springer Berman said. "It's an easier experience than it was when I was starting out, but it is still a different experience going in as a female, and there are still times when I say: ‘Wait a minute, be careful about this! Or let's look at the budget, don't compromise on this.’” 

Springer Berman, who graduated from Columbia in 1995, got her start in the documentary space. “Coming out of Columbia, this amazing story just fell in my path and I jumped on it. But it was completely unplanned.” For this reason, Springer Berman is an advocate of keeping an open mind, not just when opportunities present themselves but also when things don’t go in one’s favor. “What's really important coming out of school is to keep going if your first script doesn't work. If for some reason you don't get the financing for it or an actor falls through, you can always put it to the side and come back to it. It doesn't mean you're not going to be successful. You have to be open minded and ready to try something else. Not to say that you won't ever make [that film], it just might not be your first film. It might be your second film.” Nodding, Tsang added, “The first script I approached production companies with was just way too expensive. The script I’m pursuing now is much more doable. I think being flexible in terms of what story can get made is really important.”  

Both Springer Berman and Tsang added that the mentorship program has increased their feeling of connection with the school in a significant way. “I think film school gives you discipline and a community. So many years out of Columbia, some of my closest friends are people I met there. These are the people you trust and people you want to work with.” Tsang nodded along, adding that the producer of her feature film is a Columbia graduate too. 

One colleague, a showrunner Springer Berman worked with recently, was also a fellow Columbia graduate. Springer Berman was thrilled when she learned that he'd named the show's fictional restaurant 'Jelinek's.' “I said to him, ‘Okay, you named this restaurant after Milena’ and he said ‘Totally!’” Springer Berman smiled. Milena Jelinek, a longtime Screenwriting professor at the School of the Arts, sadly passed away from COVID-related complications in 2020. “It was a nice moment of honoring her in this very odd way,” Springer Berman said. “We both then talked about how much she inspired us.”

Although Springer Berman and Tsang have not yet set specific goals in terms of their mentorship, Springer Berman knows one thing for sure: “I want to be there at the premiere of her film. That's my goal, [to be] smiling proudly at the world premiere.” Tsang laughed and responded “Same, Shari, same.” And although the Columbia mentorship program will put a new mentee into Springer Berman’s care in May, neither seemed to view their exchange as temporary. “Making connections is hard enough, so holding on to the ones that give you so much is very important,” Tsang said. Springer Berman added: “Unless someone says: ‘You cannot speak to Connie anymore,’ I plan on continuing.”