Salem State Professors Transform Academic Satire into Feature Film
Salem State Professors Transform Academic Satire into Feature FilmWhat happens when ambitious poets gather for a remote writing residency? According to Salem State University professors Kevin Carey and Peter Sampieri, it becomes a perfect setting for murder, mystery, and academic satire. MFA murder mystery film.
Their new film, “MFA: The Terminal Degree,” follows four ambitious young poets who agree to a remote Master of Fine Arts residency where “the cutthroat business of writing spins out of control.” The full-length comedy murder mystery will premiere April 30 at Cinema Salem.
From Unproduced Play to Feature Film
The project began as an unproduced play co-written by Carey and fellow poet R.G. Evans. Rather than staging it as originally intended, the creative team decided to adapt it for film.
“We felt this might make a fun show,” Carey said. “I think we convinced ourselves of that.”
The transformation from stage script to screen required creativity and community effort. After securing a summer creative grant from Salem State University and launching a successful GoFundMe campaign, the team raised approximately $20,000 to fund the production.
A True Community Production
Shot primarily over four intensive days at St. Marguerites Retreat House in Mendham, New Jersey, with additional filming at Salem Access Television, the production was truly collaborative.
“It was an ambitious schedule,” Carey admitted, “but we managed, after cutting some scenes, to get it.”
The cast includes four Salem State theater students and another professor from the school’s Theater Department. R.G. Evans, who co-wrote the original play, also composed and performed original songs for the film.
“A real community effort,” Carey described. “Peter and I did most of the shooting, actors were helping the grips, carrying lights, holding booms, and moving furniture. We all chipped in.”
Academic Satire With a Murderous Twist
While the film carries themes about higher education, Carey emphasizes it shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
“It’s a farce,” he said. “There are a lot of puns in there. I would say it’s a friendly knock on higher education.”
As professors themselves, Carey, Sampieri and Evans infused the project with self-aware humor. “All of us being professors, we felt like we were poking fun at ourselves,” Carey noted, adding he hopes the film “will bring people some joy.”
Looking Ahead to the Festival Circuit
Following the April 30 premiere at Cinema Salem, the team plans to submit the film to festivals.
“Our plan is to hit the festival market after the premiere,” Carey said, “to bring this show on the road, so to speak.”
Event Details
What: “MFA: The Terminal Degree” Film Premiere
When: April 30, 2025 (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
Where: Cinema Salem, 1 East India Square Mall, Salem, MA
Tickets: Available at www.cinemasalem.com
Pre-Show: Live music by R.G. Evans, who wrote original songs for the film
MFA murder mystery film
Watch the trailer:
Kevin Carey – The Thursday Poets
View their Member Listing
Kevin Carey: Coordinator of Creative Writing at Salem State University. Books include: three books of poetry: The One Fifteen to Penn Station (2012), Jesus Was a Homeboy (2016) which was an Honor book for the Paterson Literary Prize and Set in Stone (2020), as well as three books of fiction: The Beach People (2014), Murder in the Marsh (2020) and
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