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FEATURE
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BY
Sophomore
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The white screen stretches upward, from the floor to the cavernous ceiling. It begins at the floor, but the floor curves up to become the screen, which curves again at the ceiling. Though imposing, the screen isn't clean; scuff marks line the white screen. "It's in need of a repainting," DJ DeRock, public relations officer for KU Filmworks, tells me. He points to the floor, where it's starting to curve up. "We filmed a movie where people are pieces on a chess board and they fight each other. We made squares, and when we ripped them out we took some of the paint with it." He motions toward the ground, where a checkerboard of square-shaped lines is indented into the floor.
of chances to get involved, whether through acting, directing or ripping up the paint of the screen.
Lawrence's thriving filmmaking scene is unusual, in that the efforts of a student organization — KU Filmworks — have led to the creation of festivals and other major happenings. It has managed to develop its own identity, complete with landmark figures. The opposite of insular, KU students have plenty
The screen is the central fixture of Oldfather Studios, the home of the University of Kansas' Department of Film and Media Studies and the meeting place for KU Filmworks, the student organization that allows students — film majors or not — to get their hands dirty in filmmaking. The group, which has open membership, provides students with the equipment and training necessary to make their own films and learn about making it in the competitive filmmaking world. The group's current film — a project about a writer with family conflicts who records his thoughts on tape — is slated to be over a half-hour long and has the membership excited; it's sure to join Filmworks' series of classics.
MIDWEST FILM SCHOOL
"We want KU to be the Midwest film school," Kevin Willmott, associate professor of film,
Photo Illustration by Travis Vance
says. "I think we can be that." Willmott has directed critically acclaimed films that include The Only Good Indian, a film about a manhunt for an escaped Native American student, and C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America, a mockumentary theorizing the course of history if the South had won the Civil War.
In the film department, Willmott encourages young filmmakers to pursue their dreams, both in and out of the classroom, while lending his support to Filmsworks. "Nationally, student filmmaking is a growing thing." Willmott says. "Many students get involved outside of the classroom with programs like KU Filmworks. In places like that, they get the chance to hit the ground running."
Filmworks" "hit the ground running" attitude has led to the development of local film festivals, competitions and awards that wouldn't be possible without the support of the group and the University.
GOING WES
Two illustrations by Travis Young
On set. From: Nathan Towns, Jessica Shuler,
Siona Baker, Matt Hrovat, Phung Phung, Jason
Badgett and Zach Zastrow making *Bird of Prey*.
Alex Backus, Lawrence fifth-year senior, has been involved with KU Filmworks since he started his freshman year. His current film — the aforementioned writer-with-a-tape-recorder movie — is the next Filmworks project, but when it comes to Lawrence filmmaking, he's best known for his semiyearly Wild West Film Fest, taking place in the summer and fall. Open to anyone, contestants have 48 hours to write, film and edit a short movie from scratch. The finished movies are then screened at Liberty Hall, with entry fees and ticket sales going to benefit local charities like the Willow Domestic Violence Center. Local businesses also get the chance to sponsor the competition.
"It doesn't matter what level you're at; when you have 48 hours to make a film it's not going to be that good," Backus says. "It's fun to see
SOFTE
Ofiense regains strengu in doubieneader
Junior outfielder Liz Kocon bats at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita on Wednesday afternoon. The Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Wichita State Shockers 11-3 in game one of a doubleheader. Howard Ting/KANSAS
Kansas defeated Wichita State on Wedensday
BY HANNAH WISE
hwise@kansan.com
The softball team's offense returned to its powerful and effective playing style in Wednesday evening's doubleheader against Wichita State, leaving with two victories, 11-3 in six innings and 6-3 in the second game. The non-conference evening provided ample opportunity for the Jayhawks to keep their NCAA Regional hopes alive and the strong offensive play was evidence of their will to fight for their regional bid.
The softball team broke the single season home run record of 54 home runs held by the 2005 team. The 5 home runs scored during the doubleheader brought the season total to 59. Junior outfielder Liz Kocon hammered a 3-run homer out of the park in the third inning after hitting the record-breaking home run in the second inning of game one.
Sophomore infielder Mariah Montgomery also tallied two home runs in game one and junior infielder Marissa Ingle hit a home run in the top of the sixth inning of the first game. Ingle also had an RBI double added to her record in the fourth inning of the first game, setting the score at 8-1 in Kansas' favor.
taking of game one.
"It was not just me. It was everybody," Kocon said. "We have just been hitting the ball really well this year."
The Jayhawk defense kept the Shocker batters out of scoring position. In the bottom of the fifth, the Jayhawks were looking for their final two outs when a hit gave them an out by a catch. The final out came from a chase down
Senior Allie Clark pitched the entirety of the first contest. She allowed 6 hits and 3 runs, and struck out three batters.
between third base and home plate. Senior catcher Brittany Hile cornered the runner near third base and made a quick toss to Ingle, who tagged out the runner.
In game two, the Jayhawks got off to a slow start, allowing the Shockers to score three runs through the first three innings. In
the bottom of the third, after two allowed runs, the coaching staff changed from freshman pitcher Kristin Martinez in the circle to sophomore Alex Jones.
"I think Alex is just a bull dog," coach Megan Smith said. "When she is out there you are confident that she is going to go right at the hitter."
Jones gave the offense a chance to score six runs through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
The fifth inning was the most productive for the lajayhawks with four scored runs. Three base hits in a row combined with a string of walks and a hit from Ingle resulted in the four runs.
The defensive strength continued in the second game with multiple double plays, including one to end the game. The batter hit the ball to Montgomery, who snapped the ball to a waiting freshman infielder Ashley
Newman at second base for an out. Newman then threw down to freshman infielder Laura Vickers at first for the double play and the end of the double header. "We need it."
"We work really hard at practice," Montgomery said. "Coach just hammers fundamentals and working really hard and it is really nice to see us all come together."
Edited by Helen Mubarak
!
have a full
year of experience
with
coach Turner
Gill's system.
The transition from Mangino to Gill seemed rocky at best, and the results oftentimes showed that on the field last fall. Fans are eager to get that taste
McDougald
out of their mouths this Saturday at 1 p.m. However, that probably won't be the case. Spring games are an interesting bunch. They can't be judged the way normal games are judged, for obvious reasons.
Take this for example: If Jordan Webb comes out and throws for four touchdowns, was he playing great or was the defense just plain bad? If Keeston Terry gets a couple of interceptions, was he playing great or were the quarterbacks underperforming?
It's a tough question, and one that won't be answered by looking at the scoreboard at the end of the scrimmage. However, there are ways to gauge how the players are doing. Are Jordan Webb and Quinn Mecham hitting their receivers in stride? Are the running backs seeing the holes created by the offensive line and getting through them quickly? Also, check to see if both teams are getting plays off on time, or actually getting the play into the huddle on time. The Jayhawks struggled in both areas at different points in 2010.
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Those are the types of things fans need to look for on Saturday: individual nuances that are crucial to winning football games. Everything else will be hard to decipher until McNeese State comes to Lawrence on Sept. 3.
Edited by Jacque Weber
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