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St. Cloud State University
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Student's 'Vision' wins digital film contest
By Joe Palmersheim
Published:
Thursday, October 17, 2002
Talent comes from a strange place. Sometimes, it lies undiscovered for years until, completely by accident or coincidence, it is discovered and utilized. Such is the case with SCSU senior Leeann Ilminen, whose short film, "Vision of Water," is being shown at the second-annual Dig.It Film Festival at the Walker Art Center.
The Dig. It Film Festival is a festival that focuses on student films from Minnesota schools.
This film festival is different from a regular film festival because only movies made using digital video are allowed. Hence the name, Dig.It. One film from each school is chosen to be shown at the festival.
"From our end, we wanted a film to be chosen that represented SCSU well," said professor of film studies, Brad Chisolm. "We wanted something provocative, something that would compare to bigger schools that have a lot of equipment."
Experimental films (also known as "art films") are just as the name implies. No actors are involved, there is no plot to follow, and there is no sense of linearity. These films convey a point through use of imagery and camera angles.
"Experimental films don't tell stories or argue a point," Chisolm said. "They try to make you think about components of everyday life such as shape, color and motion. They try to make you think of things in new ways."
"Vision of Water," follows many of these conventions. The movie consists of footage shot last year in Ilminen's apartment and outside in St. Cloud.
The movie also has an original electronic music soundtrack that could, coincidently, be best described by the term "experimental."
"The film is a cluster of shots all put together," Ilminen said. "The footage is all natural. That means that it hasn't been manipulated or changed in any way. It's what you would be seeing but the camera makes it look different."
Ilminen has always had an interest in visual arts, but was not aware of her film-making ability until she took an Experimental Film class last fall, where she finally gained access to the equipment necessary to make a film.
Ilminen said that she likes digital video because it's easier to edit and provides her with "instant gratification."
The Dig.It Film Festival is an indication of the rising use of digital video to make art films. There aren't many festivals that are devoted entirely to digital films.
"It's still a fairly new thing," Chisolm said. "The Walker Art Center is making a commitment to do this every year. I think last year was the first (time they did it)."
Ilminen, who is graduating this December with a degree in meteorology, is proud to be representing SCSU.
"I was very surprised, as I didn't even know there was a festival," Ilminen said. "I feel very honored, and I'm definitely happy to gain more exposure."
