Pamplin alumni reunite to create powerful short film on suicide prevention

An upcoming short film produced by Augusta University alumni, Giving Séance, has emerged as a collaborative short film rooted in purpose, passion and the strength of alumni connections. Directed by Madeline Burgin and co-produced by C. Neil Davenport, alumni of AU’s Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, the film explores suicide prevention through the lens of empathy and shared experience.

Burgin, who also attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts alongside Davenport and fellow producer Todd Smith, developed the script for the film after grappling with personal losses and a profound question from her mentor, Academy Award-winning director and professor Peter Werner: “Who is Maddie behind the ghouls and goblins?”

That question reshaped her storytelling focus. After Werner’s passing and the tragic loss of a fellow student, Burgin was moved to create Giving Séance, a story of three cheerleaders performing a seance to communicate amid grief.

“It’s not just about ghosts. It’s about using empathy and understanding to connect, especially when facing unimaginable loss,” Burgin said.

Davenport, who has lost friends to suicide, was immediately drawn to the script.

“It brought clarity to those lingering questions of ‘What could I have done?'” he said. “Maddie’s story is a reminder that often the most powerful thing we can do is simply talk to each other and be kind.”

The film reunites alumni from both Augusta University and UNCSA, including Drew Thomas, serving as editor, and Cynthia Panzella as director of photography. Their shared mentorship under Matthew Buzzell, a professor in AU’s Department of Art and Design, adds another layer of connection to the project.

“This film is a thank you to our mentors,” said Davenport. “Matthew Buzzell has supported and guided us, and now we’re building something that reflects the lessons he’s instilled in us.”