The 'reel' world
Festival showcases student films
by Charissa Young
Most people use towels for drying or cleaning. But filmmakers aren't most people. Through the eyes of a filmmaker, everyday objects can become something extraordinary.
For Ian Hrabe, Olathe sophomore, a towel is a cape that transforms the everyman into a superhero. But Hrabe's
not giving away anything else about his film — primarily because he hasn't finished it.
"When I make a film, it comes together spontaneously. I don't really work off a script because everything just seems to fall into place," Hrabe says.
From superheroes to heroin addiction, no subject is off-limits for films entered in the first Filmworks Film Festival, which
will screen the film entries, due tomorrow, April 23.The festival is at Oldfather Studios, Ninth and Avalon Streets, and will feature two hours of short films. Five judges will 16>JAYPLAY 04.13.2006
"When I make a film, it comes together spontaneously. I don't really work off a script because everything just seems to fall into place."—lan Hrabe, Olathe sophomore
critique, and first-, second- and third-place winners will be awarded with trophies. There are also viewers' choice and most original awards.
The festival requires that film entries incorporate the use of a towel and the festival's theme, "This is the end," chosen by Doors fan Taylor Sloan.
who coordinated the festival. The Overland Park junior says he chose an ambiguous object and theme to allow maximum creativity. Sloan says filmmakers can interpret the theme and object in different ways, which will attract a diverse range of films.
Matt Jacobson assistant professor of filmandfestivaljudge, was the director of photography for
C. S.A.: The Confederate States of America, currently being shown in theatres nationwide. Jacobson says the film industry is moving away from blockbusters
to embrace smaller, more personal films, which students are capable of making. "Movies don't have to be all about gun fights, car chases and special effects. If you make a movie about something you really care about, other people will care too," Jacobson says.
While students may be drawn to a festival featuring films made by their peers, filmmakers are drawn to the festival for different reasons. There is no student film channel and theatres rarely show student films, so the festival is an opportunity for students to screen their films for a large audience.
Brittany High and Anthony Solesky, collaborated on their film. The Raleigh, N.C., sophomores created a music video for the Rufus Wainwright song Baby. The film follows a woman who rescues a man from his addiction to heroin. High says that this is the first time she's sent a film into competition and hopes that audiences will respond to the honest depiction of heroin addiction."I don't try to glam it up. I don't glorify it," she says.
"Student filmmakers work in a vacuum. They make movies and usually only show it to their classmates or their buddies, which doesn't really get you anywhere," Jacobson says. The festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to present
their film to an unbiased audience for judging their individual merits, he says, which will help them make better films in the future.
KU Filmworks, a film and video production club, is sponsoring the festival. Sloan and other Filmworks club members coordinated the festival to use Oldfather Studios' underutilized screening facilities. Though the festival is not limited to student films, Sloan says his biggest goal for the festival is to give students filmmakers the opportunity to meet other filmmakers, actors and faculty. Sloan and Jacobson both say that networking is an essential part to success in the film industry.
With any new project, there is risk for both failure and success. Jacobson says that he hopes the Filmworks Film Festival becomes an annual event, but expects a small number of film entries since this is the festival's first year. When it comes to coordinating a new festival or entering a student film into competition, Jacobson says that the key step to success is initiative."Everyone starts out small.The important thing is to get started. If you never start, you're never going to get anywhere," Jacobson says.
WANT TO ATTEND THE FILM FESTIVAL?
When: Sunday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Oldfather Studios,1621 W.9th St.
Admission: Free refreshments provided