Wednesdav. February 17, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 9
Entertainment
Students raise money to produce sci-fi film
Bv Ezra Sykes
By Ezra Sykes
Kansan staff writer
Angela Holt, Overland Park freshman, fills out an application for a credit card. Holt applied for the card year-end in Wesco Hall in order to make a donation to KU Filmworks. Photo by Augustus Anthony Piazza/KANSAN
And all for less than $20,000.
Allan Holt must come up with a way to blow up a car, create cyborg puppets and build a futuristic medical laboratory that can resurrect human beings.
And, like it or not, money plays a major role. The group currently is focused on raising funds for the film, which is now budgeted at $20,000.
On the fourth floor of Wescos Hall, the group has set up a table, where it students to fill out credit card applications, for which it receives a commission.
The group, called KU Filmworks, is preparing to shoot the sel-fi short *Ghost of a Chance*. The production will give members a chance to work beyond the scope of school projects and experience the process of making an independently funded film.
Dan McMellen, producer of the film and Mission senior, said that the University had a good film department but that it did not receive enough funding to make movies such as Ghost of a Chance.
"They're trying their best, but they're only getting so much money per year," he said. "The Theatre can put on plays and make money that way, but the only way we can make money is to form a club and fund ourselves."
Chuck Berg, professor of film and KU Film-work's sponsor, said that he was proud of the group and that he felt grateful for its contribution to the film department.
"Inpart, we're doing our jobs in hope that students will be seized by ambition and take on these kind of projects," he said.
The money raised will go toward renting cameras, lights, dollies, costumes and producing a variety of special effects. Holt, who also is the writer and director of the film, said although the film was science fiction, it wouldn't just be a movie full of flashing lights and futuristic gadgets.
"It's the concepts," said Holt, making a reference to George Lucas' approach to film. "One problem with the genre is that you can really screw yourself on a low budget by trying to get flashy.
"It's ambitious in a lot of ways. The main difficulty is that there's such a volume of work to do."
The script for Ghost of a Chance tells the story
of a futuristic medical team who is responsible for resurrecting the dead body of an important witness to a federal crime.
Unable to revive the body, the medical team picks a random dead person to represent the witness. When the person comes back to life, he must decide whether he cares enough to help.
"Then comes a little twist," Holt said. "But I won't give that away."
"It's been kind of an evolution," he said. "It all started out as stuff I'd seen on the Discovery Channel."
The script, which is now in its seventh draft,
has undergone a good deal of alteration.
Holt, who has a copy of the 30-page script thumbtacked to his bedroom wall, said the film was on his mind constantly.
"Right now, this is becoming my whole life," he said.
The group, which now consists of about 50 members, is not the first of its kind at the University. McMellen said three different film clubs had existed during the past four years, all of which are now defunct.
Holt said the group would benefit both present
and future film students.
"Everyone is getting something out of this project," he said. "We're all learning how to make films. We are taking the bulbs by the horns."
"Our hope is that KU Filmworks will earn a reputation. We're doing our part to help our film school become something."
The 25-minute film is planned to be shot during spring break and the two weeks following final exams.
Although many crew members are amateurs, Ben Krout, director of photography and former KU student, said enthusiasm would make up for inexperience.
"They're all so motivated I don't think it will be an issue," he said. "It doesn't take long to develop professional skills on a set. Within a couple days we'll be doing fine."
A benefit concert for KU Filmworks is planned for 9 p.m. March 3 at The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St., which will feature the Toledo Neurotic Trio. Creature Comforts and The Counterfeits.
The group also is planning to hold a raffle for items donated by area businesses and is asking for a contribution from Student Senate.
Syrva's CD The Quest could result in heaving
Kansan music boy
By Matt Cox
Syrva proves that even horrible vocalists can make a nationally distributed album.
A sticker on the its CD, called The Quest, says, "Featuring the hit single Fade." Hit? Yeah, right. On what lowly radio station?
Lead singer Syrva T.
Adler's biggest mistake was
making himself sing anything.
After listening to this album, you really start to wonder if it is a joke because you figure any vocalist that sounded this bad would have been warned by his friends not to release a CD anywhere.
Adler's vocals are shaky and sound as if he is about to heave. And, after the first song, you just might.
Adler's problem is that he relies on tired phrases to convey his emotions since he isn't very artistic with his own words.
However, there is something innocent in the effort, even though you laugh at every song. It's like your kid brother's band you know will never make it big.
Adler must be heavily influenced by Ozzy Osbourne, Journey and Dire Straits. The guitar riffs are a perfect combination of the three, creating a retro-rock atmosphere.
In fact, the music warrants at least a good listen but is ruined
THE QUEST
■ Syrva : The Quest
■ Rating : D+
quickly when Adler+
when Adler tries to mix intense vocals that don't fit with the music he writes.
As far as the "hit" single, Fade, is concerned, it reminds me of when South Park makes fun of crappy "uplifting" '80s rock music. I almost thought this was the band they hired to write those mocking songs. Sadly, Syrva is a real band.
The first track, *Mystica*, is a one-minute intro with no vocals. It creates a very Journey-esque atmosphere with harsh guitars that energize the body. The only reason to keep listening is to find out if the next song will be as bad as the previous one.
Commentary
Beavis and Butthead star in computerized golf game
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Fore, dude. Huh-
huh, huh-huh.
Beavis and Butthead are hitting the miniature golf links in cyberspace, bringing their demented brand of teen underachievement to desktop sports. Forget the corny windmill and hitting through the big clown's mouth. This mini golf rocks. Huh-huh, huh-huh.
Their trademark scatological slang is unavoidable as always, starting with the game's title, but just like their MTV show and feature film, it's all in fun. No real four-letter words are used, just the boys' raunchy, made-up lingo.
After running the same disclaimer that accompanies their TV show, which stresses that Beavis and Butthead are not role models, the game launches and players choose which of the cartoon's goofball cast to tee off as: one of the two title characters, their uptight neighbor Anderson, beaigned Principal McVicker, Todd the tough guy, or the hippie school teacher, Mr. Van Driessen.
Up to four people can play together, and everyone's ball stays in play until they hole out, allowing players to hit other balls with theirs, creating a ricocheting chaos that adds to the silliness. Each player's animated persona is
pictured on the side of the screen, allowing each character to heckle the competition.
The round opens in Beavis and Butthead's living room, where the lame-brain duo spend hours glued to the TV set watching music videos. The first putt has to pass safely through the opening and closing window, leaving an approach to the hole on the couch, where springs popping through the upholstery will reject errant shots.
The course continues for 17 more holes including Burger World, Coach Buzcutz's minefield hole, Maxi Mart, a junkyard, Highland High School, Todd's auto shop, Van Driessen's signature hole, Anderson's yard, McVicker's office and a rock concert stage.
The final hole is the lollapalozao, Cornholio, named for Beavis' sugar and caffeine-addicted alter ego. It's the toughest on the course, requiring a perfect shot up a toilet paper ramp into a chute pocket floating in a coffee cup.
The putting control is a simple, click, pull back and release arrangement. It could be more precise, but that might make the game more serious than it should be.
The game from GT Interactive (CD-ROM for Windows, $19.99) is a boot from the first tee to the 18th green.
MATHEMATICS PRIZE COMPETITION
Junior Level: Open to all undergraduates
First prize--$100
Second Prize--$50
of non-senior standing
Senior Level: Open to all undergraduates First prize--$150
Both exams will be given on February 23 7-10 pm in room 306 Snow
First prize--$150
To participate you must register in 405 Snow by noon, February 23
COPIES OF LASTYEAR'S COMPETITION ARE POSTED OUTSIDE 405 SNOW
The Etc. Shop 928 Mass.Downtown
Miracle Video 1910 Haskell 841-7504
2 MOVIES FOR THE PRICE OF 1 (7 days a week)
NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.
Over 900 titles in stock
VCR + 2 TAPS
For $4.99
(Sum-Free only)
LIMIT ONE PER PERSON.
EXPIRES 7/31/99
Become an AIDS Volunteer
Call today to find out more about being an AIDS volunteer, and for information about attending a volunteer orientation session.
864-9834 Ask for Liz
Douglas County AIDS Project
3514 CLINTON PKWY.
838-9900
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1500 SW Tenth Street
Topeka, Kansas 66604-1353
www.bakeru.edu