Tuesday, November 30, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
KU film club to raise money with concert
By Emily Hughey writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Sometimes, the classroom just isn't big enough. That's why some University of Kansas students are moving into something bigger.
They're making movies.
KU Filmworks, a club for students interested in filmmaking, is finishing its first film, KU graduate Allan Holt's Ghost of a Chance. It's also beginning pre-production work on Fondue, a film written by students Tyler Rowe and Steve Berg, both Omaha. Neb., seniors.
The club has 20 regular members and is sponsoring a concert tonight at 7 p.m. at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. The concert will raise money for the production of Fondue, a story about a group of people's interactions around a pot of fondue.
Ryan Dambro, president of KU Filmworks and director of Fondue, said he thought the screenplay was funny.
"It's just a little dark," said Dambro, Emporia And
"it's just senior. "And parts of it are a little surrealistic and absurd."
He said the club formed last year because the members wanted to put
FILMWORKS EVENT
What: KU Filmworks Benefit, featuring Counterfits, Brothers from Different Mothers and a mystery band
When: 7 tonight
Where: The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St.
together larger productions.
"We started Filmworks last year because a lot of us were getting close to graduation, and we all wanted to do one big production together," Dambro said. "We wanted to go into something bigger than we could do in the classroom."
He said the group probably would spend $25,000 on Fondue. $5,000 more than last year's Ghost of a Chance. He said the film, which is expected to be completed by the end of the summer, would take a lot of time and money to produce.
"All the money we raise will go toward Fondue," Dambro said. "The more time you put into it, the better it will be."
Dambro said the costs of making a film were higher than most people realized. He said portions of the total cost were designated for areas that included makeup effects, film stock, lighting equipment, camera equipment rental, camera rental insurance and meals, snacks and beverages for the cast and crew.
Jared Stone, Filmworks vice president and director of photography for Fondue, said he joined the club last year to gain more experience in the production industry.
KU Filmworks meets at 8 p.m. Thursday at Johnny's Tavern, 401 N. 2nd St.
"I first got involved with it because I was a film major. But because of the constraint on resources and time in the classroom, our production opportunities are limited," said Stone, Lawrence senior. "This is an opportunity to earn real production experience. And you can get that by having a part in making your own film."
Lawrence residents Kathy Pribbenour and Kathy Holmes put the finishing touches on a Christmas tree sponsored by the Welcome Club of Lawrence. Trees from the Festival of Trees will be auctioned at 7 tonight at Liberty Hall. Photo by Roger Nomer/ KANSAN
— Edited by Jennifer Roush
Anne Marie Bireta and Janie Schneider, both students at Bishop Seabury Academy, work on a Christmas tree sponsored by the school. The tree was called "All That Glitters" and was decorated with metallic objects. Photo by Roger Nomer/KANSAN
Festival of Trees launches season of giving
Public invited to view evergreen artwork, help youth organization
By Derek Prater
writer@kansan.com
Kanson staff writer
Christmas trees are heralding the season of giving at the 13th annual Festival of Trees.
Ann Bush, festival co-chairperson, said 51 trees had been decorated and donated this year by a variety of organizations. The trees will be auctioned tonight at Liberty Hall. 642 Massachusetts St. Proceeds will go to The Shelter, a non-profit organization that provides emergency services for Lawrence youth.
Trees will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday. The auction and gala event will begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets to view the trees are $2 and children get in free. Money generated from ticket sales also goes to The Shelter. 105 W. 11 St.
Bush said the festival was a well-known event that generated both good cheer and money for a good cause.
"We've gotten great support from some of the local businesses who buy and donate trees," she said.
Other groups, such as community organizations and girl scout troops, also donated trees. Bush said.
Margey Frederick, coordinator for the KU Visitor Center, decorated and donated a tree with friend Marion Vernon.
of Fame. The tree, which contains 1,400 lights, was a year-long project Frederick said.
Frederick said the "Socks and Jocks" tree featured autographs from all 14 head coaches of University's athletic teams and 131 red and blue socks with names of each member of the University of Kansas Athletic Corporation Hall
Judy Culley, director of The Shelter, said the auction had been a significant fund-raising event for the past 12 years.
"We really appreciate the support we get from the community," she said. "We're always just happy with what we get, and historically we've
"We really appreciate the support we get from the community."
Judy Culley director of The Shelter
done really well."
Last year, the festival raised more than $40,000. Culley said.
The Shelter's mission is to improve the lives of children and families in Lawrence. It provides emergency shelter services, adoption services, family foster care, juvenile intake and crisis intervention with children and families.
Culley said money from the festival was used for program enhancements. This year, it will be used for start-up costs for a new building being constructed in east Lawrence that will double the emergency shelter capacity the organization can provide.
"It's something we've wanted to do for a long time." Culley said.
The new building should be finished shortly after the first of the year, she said.
Culley said the festival was an event that benefited more than just the shelter.
"It's a really nice event for the community," she said. "It's fun to go down and look at the trees, and it's fun for the people who decorate the trees."
Edited by Jessie Meye