2B the university daily kansan
sub-cultures
friday, february 27, 2004
Film school keeps students grounded, aiming high
By Kelsie Smith
Kansan correspondent
correspondent@kansan.com
When Jessica Kibbe graduated from the Kansas film school last December, she decided she needed to move.
So, she did what any other aspiring actress would do: She packed up and went to Los Angeles.
Just a year removed from Lawrence, Kibbe said what she learned during her time as a Kansas film student has kept her grounded in the fast-paced Hollywood world.
Out there, Kibbe said, you lose yourself in the minutiae.
"You forget that it's supposed to be fun," she said.
Kansas' film school provided a good base, Kibbe said, even though it is lesser in reputation to schools like NYU and USC.
"I don't want to students to make standard, Hollywood derivative films," assistant professor Matt Jacobson said. "I want them to make films that matter."
That standard has brought the film school to a whole new level. Student films are being shot almost every weekend this semester and numerous other projects are constantly in the works. Film students say their professors are the reason for the program's success, but Jacobson is hesitant to take the credit.
"You can't be an instructor without good students," he said.
Jacobson said that one of the biggest reasons for the increasing success of the school was the quality of equipment available to students and an increased interest in film production in general. Students agree that the resources they have contribute to the quality of their education, but insist that the biggest factor still lies in the faculty.
Whatever the reason, it is impossible to deny the recent accomplishments the school has encountered. Most notable is the recent trip several students took with Jacobson and fellow professor Kevin Willmott to the Sundance Film Festival to help with the showing of the professors' film Wilmott's CSA.
Sean Sullivan, Wichita junior, front, and Miles Kim, Olathe junior, ran the controls for a taping of the Wonderful World of Lord Wads. The taping was part of Intermediate Film Production. The show airs at 11 p.m. this Wednesday on Sunflower Broadband channel 6 and will alternate between 11 p.m. and midnight each Wednesday.
Other projects include the organization of HomeTown Film, the result of several students desire take students work outside of Lawrence. The group recently finished a traveling film festival that began in Lawrence, then traveled to Omaha, Neb., and ended in Sioux Falls, S.D. The festival showcased several student films.
Another endeavor was initiated last year by Chris Martin, who graduated in December.
Abby Tillery/Kansan
Martin had the idea to produce a show focusing on playing locally produced short films. The result is "Out of Focus," which appears
roughly once a month on KUJH.
Chris Ordal, Sioux Falls, S.D. senior, is part of the HomeTown Film group. He said his biggest
problem as a film student is doing too many things at once. To him, it's not work, and his relationships in the department make it
more like an extended family than a school, he said.
— Edited by Henry C. Jackson
Students balance marriage, school
By Amanda O'Toole
Kansan correspondent
correspondent@kansan.com
Misty Huber remembers the day she met her husband, Caleb. She was in fourth grade and she asked him to go to a Sadie Hawkins dance in Concordia. The two went to the dance and began a relationship that developed into a marriage.
But their story is not a fairy tale.
The Hubers are two undergraduate students at the University of Kansas who balance marriage and school. In 2002, more than 1,100 married students enrolled at the University. These students face the unique challenges that come with being a married college student.
"We don't see each other a whole lot." Misty said.
Caleb, a 21-year-old pre-med student, is enrolled in 12 hours and works a part-time job. Misty, a 21-year-old journalism major, is enrolled in 17.
After 18 months of marriage, Caleb said it was not what he had expected.
"It's definitely not for everybody and it's definitely not easy,"
he said. "You have to make time for school, in our case our daughter, and keep our relationship going. There's only so many hours a day you can work with."
Despite many commitments, both agree that family comes first.
Misty said the books were closed when their 2-year-old daughter, Keely, came home from daycare at 5 p.m. and didn't open again until she went to bed.
Misty said she and Caleb couldn't afford to procrastinate, so they began homework as soon as it was assigned. Their demanding life doesn't leave much time for a social life either.
Caleb said that was just one sacrifice that came with married life. He and Misty missed out on things regular students do.
"But then I think about how good I have it," he said. "I have a woman that's going to love me for who I am and puts up with my crap no matter what. And my daughter makes it fun to come home every night."
He said his marriage has helped him stay focused.
"It's made my life a lot better,"
Caleb said. "I'd be tempted to cut loose a lot more. I wouldn't be as focused on school as much as I have been."
Rob and Kendra Schobert said their marriage has made them better students as well.
"We kick each other out of bed every morning and make the other go to class." Rob said.
Rob and Kendra, both Hugoton juniors, will graduate in 2005. Kendra, 19, is enrolled in 20 hours this semester and is majoring in education. Rob, 21, is studying nursing.
Kendra said it was hard to save money because both were in school. But jobs, grants and an affordable house have helped them overcome the challenge.
The Schoberts have been married nine months and Rob said there hadn't been any surprises yet.
"We knew each other well enough when we got married," he said. "I already knew all of her quirks."
She said some people did not understand her marriage.
"People ask me if we live together, or if we live in a dorm."
Kendra said. "We knew we wanted to be together and we didn't see any reason to wait. We felt like we needed to do it when we did it."
Rob said unseen trust, love, compromise and communication make his marriage work.
The Hubers and Schoberts both said finding time to spend together was a constant challenge.
The Hubers meet for lunch at least once a week. Misty said they usually went where they had coupons.
The Schoberts like to watch movies and they make sure they devote time to each other every day.
Both couples know the odds are against their young marriages, but neither couple is bothered by the statistics.
Kendra said her parents, who married when they were 18- and 19-years-old, were evidence that couples married at a young age could stay happy together.
"I know he's my soul mate," Kendra said. "I just know he's the person I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with."
— Edited by Danielle Hillix
With the band
Eric Braem/Kansan
A 45-piece pep band plays for all of the men's home basketball games. Kelley Lane, Jefferson City, Mo., sophomore, was a member of the band during last year's tournament in New Orleans, La. "We as a band represented so much about K!J," she said. "It was amazing."
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TAX HELP without dropping a dime Free Tax Workshops TODAY!
Friday, Feb 27, 2004 March 1,4,5,2004
in the Budig PC Lab
See www.legalservices.ku.edu for times.
Presented by:
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Room 148 Burge Union 864-5865 Jo Hardesty, Director
If you are unable to attend, passwords for the free tax software will be available at the LSS office.
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