Scott Beck has been crowned the winner of "Best Film on Campus" with his trailer for "University Heights". Your votes alongside the opinions of our celebrity judges Catherine Hardwicke, Nicole Kassell, John Singleton and MTV Films has awarded Scott a development deal with MTV Films and a home theatre system!

  See Highlights, Outtakes, and the Director's Profile on Uber Now!

"University Heights" Scott Beck University of Iowa

1. How did you start becoming involved in filmmaking? At a young age, I had an incredible fascination with movies. At the same time, I realized there was nothing more fun that telling stories. I used to write short plays when I was in elementary school. Around 1994, I discovered my dad’s camcorder, and wrote small scripts that I filmed with my family. In middle school, I began making stop-motion film with my filmmaking partner Bryan Woods. In 2001, Bryan & I began our own production company, Bluebox Limited, and took the step from filming action-figures to working with actors. WE took time to learn the various aspects of filmmaking, from directing and writing to marketing. To date, we have completed 13 shorts and 4 feature films, which have been screened nationwide and have won several awards. 2. How did you come up with the storyline for this film? I always have characters, ideas and plots floating around my head. "University Heights" is an ensemble character-piece that deals with four distinct characters and problems, which I modeled around people I know, or issues I want to deal with. I outlined all of these characters – their personalities, their aspirations, their flaws – and set them on a path. I had a vague idea of where they would end up, but freed myself to write whatever I felt in the moment. The result – a glimpse into four lives, and the problems they must deal with, sometimes in explosively. I find that the best trailers allude to the story and plot, but never give everything away. In constructing "University Heights," my goal was to pull the viewer in, and leave them wanting more. 3. What is your favorite movie and why? One of my favorites is "About Schmidt." I have a fascination with films that examine our own insignificance; there are 6.5 billion people in this world, and I wonder – what is our purpose on this Earth? What is MY purpose? To make films? To entertain? "About Schmidt" also examines flawed characters, with both good and bad qualities, much like everyday people. The situations, the people – everything feels real. The films looks at the meaning of life, and causes the audience to reflect on their own purpose in the world. Also, "About Schmidt" has tons of awkward situations, which are just hilarious 4. Who is your favorite director and why? Alexander Payne is one of my favorite directors. I also believe he is one of the few important directors working today. In all of films, he pays great attention to capturing humanity on screen – everyday people, situations, and interactions. In life, we are fascinated by people, and Alexander puts this fascination into his film. Why do people do what they do? He also examines REAL people, by creating characters that are truly 3-dimensional. Sometimes we root for them, other times we look at them in shame. However, at the end of his films, we understand that the characters are only human – flawed, yet no different than ourselves.

See who else was involved

Watch the other finalists  Watch "Grading Curves" Charles Anness of University of Cincinnati  Watch "Her Summer" Bryan Woods of University of Iowa  Watch "Student of the Month" Charles Son of Ohio University  Watch "Violet Flower" Derek Green of University of Colorado at Boulder