MAS video student Jayce Lovett film pays tribute to veterans and mental health
March 15, 2023
Jayce Lovett at Fall 2022 Capstone
Ever since Jayce Lovett was young he was fascinated by video production and how the content we watch everyday is made. He says it has also been a life goal of his to bring happiness to the people around him. And he saw video production as a way to do that.
Lovett chose Luddy IUPUI (formerly SoIC) because they seemed to be a well rounded school that ticked all the right boxes. “IUPUI as a whole had such an alluring nature to it with everything they do and the opportunities they give you,” he says.
His senior Capstone project was one such opportunity.
“The reason I made my documentary about veterans and their mental health struggles stems back to when I was in high school. When I was a junior in high school I joined Interactive Media (aka IMTV). This was a career technical program my school offered students as a way to learn different forms of media production, and to give us real world experience with real clients.
“Through IMTV I met Mike Maloney, who was the founder of the Veterans Memorial Park and Digital Library, an online archive of veterans’ stories. I was brought on to do all of the video production for the organization, and through that I met a lot of interesting people, and I learned about the struggles that come along with the line of duty. It was from hearing all these stories from our service men and women that made me realize there’s a big issue in their community—mental illness,” Lovett says.
Mental illness as a whole has been made to feel stigmatized, and it’s felt even more so in the veteran community. Lovett says the goal with his documentary was to destigmatize mental illness and show people that they are not alone and that they can seek help, and that their siblings in arms want them to seek help, and that they won’t be judged for seeking that help.
“Interviewing veterans for this documentary was a mixed bag of emotions to be 100 percent honest. While talking to these men and women we talked about the best of times in the military and the worst of times in the military,” Lovett says. “Speaking with them made me learn that some of them have seen the worst of the worst the world has to offer, which only solidifies the fact that they need our help and support. But overall, I enjoyed every interview I did. Each person had such a vibrant and wonderful personality, and the fact they were trusting me to tell their stories makes me feel honored.”
“…find what you’re passionate about, the things that get you out of bed.”
After graduation Lovett plans on continuing his work in video production and continue his passion for documentary making. He is currently working on part two of his “I am a Veteran” documentary that he presented at Capstone.
His advice to other students is to find what you’re passionate about, the things that get you out of bed. “Within MAS we have a very niche set of skills that can be used to change our lives or the world, but the first step to any change is going to be a passion,” he says.
“Part of me is sad that my time in MAS and IUPUI has come to an end, but I’ve learned so many important lessons and met many influential people in my life while I was here that I can’t imagine my life being any different. I’m ready to go on with what I’ve learned and make my mark on the world.”