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St. Cloud State University
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DV Fest returns
By Jay Corn
Published:
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Film students and aspiring SCSU movie makers will have a chance to showcase their best cinematic work this month thanks to the continued partnership between Apple Computers and the SCSU Computer Store.
Students from universities across the state, including MSU-Mankato, and Bemidji State University, have entered films in Apple Computer's DV Fest 2004. Regional awards in categories such as Best in Show, Best Use of Technology and Critics Choice will be awarded. DV Fest 2004 is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 28 at in the Miller Center Auditorium, with the SCSU campus winner moving on to the regional finals. This year, DV Fest will be the only exhibition of student films on campus. The University Programming Board's yearly Student Film Showcase was canceled due to lack of submissions according to UPB Film Committee Coordinator Alisha Kitchen.
Winners from universities throughout the state will square off in the regional competition taking place in Ritsche Auditorium May 1. Entries are due by 4:30 p.m. April 27 and must be brought to the SCSU Computer Store located in the basement of the Miller Center.
"The Computer Store's role in DV Fest 2004 is basically one of support," said SCSU Computer Store assistant manager Thomas Peterson.
"Essentially, we're the department that reserves the auditorium, collects the entries that are submitted by students and are here to answer any basic questions students may have," Peterson said. "We're basically a home base and are here to provide guidance for interested students."
For the second consecutive year, any SCSU student wishing to enter an original short film into the competition can do so free of charge as long as they follow a few simple rules.
Students interested in competing must work in teams of three and shoot their three to five minute films using a digital camcorder. In addition, entrants may only use Apple's iMovie software to edit their films with violators subject to immediate disqualification.
"This year we're expecting somewhere between 10 and 15 film entries, which should be up from our total of 13 last year," said Apple Computer campus representative Eric Richey. "This is a great chance for students to be creative using Apple's iMovie to edit their films. It is Apple's way of getting people to use computers (for editing) and to allow students to get exposure in a non-traditional way."
Richey expects SCSU to receive encounter formidable competition from the other schools, but SCSU has developed a reputation with their strong showing last year.
"A new award was created last year for an SCSU film because the judges liked it so much and thought it deserved recognition," Richey said.
Peterson echoed sentiments similar to Richey concerning last year's festival, and expects another strong showing from SCSU this year.
"A lot of students make new films for DV Fest and last year, the SCSU winners put their film together from scratch two or three weeks before the competition," Peterson said. "We're talking about a bunch of football players who had no real affiliation with movie making, but went out and put a film together that absolutely rocked."
The possibility of someone other than a film student garnering a first place finish makes "students feel more comfortable about entering," Peterson said.
The prize money doesn't hurt either. The exact amount of prize money hasn't been officially announced, but Richey believes regional prizes will remain relatively the same as last year's.
"Apple has provided funding for prize money as well as for the organization and running of DV Fest," Richey said. "Last year first place winners received $300, with second and third place winners receiving $100. Those totals may go down a little bit this year, we're just not sure yet, but I'm expecting them to be somewhere close."
Richey serves as liaison between Apple Computers and SCSU and has been the driving student force behind DV Fest 2004. Working in conjunction with the SCSU Computer Store, Apple has thrown their corporate power behind a growing film festival that Richey says provides students with a good opportunity for healthy competition.
"We like to say that this is a competition other than sports that students can participate in," Richey said. "More than anything though, it's a great opportunity for students to be creative outside of class and showcase their talents."
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