|
Campus hosts showcase
Last Wednesday, nearly100 students endured slush and freezing rain to attend the SCSU premiere of the Apple Student DV Film Showcase, proving that the dismal attendance earlier this year at the UPB Film showcase did not accurately represent student interest in filmmaking. The 11 entries competed for $500 in prizes, and the chance to partake in a statewide event at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn.
The event began at 4:00 p.m. with Apple Computers representative and emcee Eric Richey moving quickly to the films.
With a brief introduction, Richey cued "Remnant," the first film of the night which would win the evening's first award for best use of technology.
The film was a haunting exploration of an abandoned factory, depicting the filmmakers walking from room to room, dissolving into thin air and fading seamlessly from clip to clip.
Graphic design students Matthew and Morgan Phillippi, Cyrus Cords and Mario Lopez earned the best use of technology nod with the film's surreal inter-dissolving of shots, an effect which becomes more impressive taken within the restrictions of the contest format.
Filmmakers entering the Apple Computer's sponsored event had to use the company's iMovie software to edit their short films as specified in the contest rules. Enforcing this rule, however, is slightly complicated.
"I can tell by looking at them," Richey said, describing his process for screening out films which are not processed through iMovie. Through his experience with the software, Richey can point out effects not possible using Apple's free, low-end editing platform. Richey admits that this is somewhat an honor system, admitting "You could slip something by."
Another of the contests more flexible points was its content specifications. Referring again to contest rules, each film must adhere to a G rating. You could argue that this was ignored completely. With "Exalted Souls," and "What If..." expressing images of suicide and "Minot, ND's" solitary drug reference, subject matter was on a more adult level.
Richey explained that this restriction stems from the contest's origins at Carleton College., where the contest remains strictly G.
Each school decides individually what can and cannot be screened on campus, presenting a possible problem for films which will compete under Carleton's restrictions in the regional event.
This contest will feature entries from from SCSU, Carleton College, Winona State University, Moorehead State University, Bemidji State University and Valley City University and will be judged by Barrie M. Osborne, producer of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Matrix for "thousands of dollars in prizes," according to the event Web site.
This may be a concern for Allen Luke, Ryan Nueberger and Roger Mendez, who collaboratively shot, directed and edited "What If...," winner of the night's highest honor.
This dark tale of optimism, fate and overcoming the past was penned by Mendez.
"Roger's story was the backbone and then the three of us would look for different ways to tell it, different angles," Ryan Neuberger, who played the film's lead, said.
Possibly the most redeeming victory of the night went to filmmakers Val Snobeck, Andrew Neher and Christa Dalien, whose selection "Minot, ND," overcame a crippling audio problem during the screening to win "Critic's Choice."
Due to an issue with digital-to-analog conversion, the complexly written tale of interconnected lives was left largely a mystery to those who viewed it at the festival. Luckily for those who missed out, the film can be viewed unmarred at the Kiehle Gallery.
The Apple Student DV Film Showcase has plans to return to SCSU next year, spurred by this year's success. Some may argue that the event's restrictions and corporate sponsorship may make it unattractive to filmmakers, but judging from this year's participation, most aren't complaining.
The incentive of cash prizes and the prospect of further competition appears to have inspired student filmmakers, many of whom, faced with jobs and classwork, may not have followed through with the trying art of filmmaking.
The 11 selections can be purchased on DVD from the SCSU Computer Store in the Miller Center.
|
|
|
|
Privacy Policy Network Advertising Article Syndication
|
|
