By Sarah Carlson, Arts Editor
What began as an idea by Doug Darby, creative director at the Adams Center for Teaching Excellence, FilmFest has flourished into a noteworthy competition for aspiring filmakers or students just wanting to scratch their creative itch.
Last year’s FilmFest proved entertaining, but the pilot year was only a trial run compared to this year. Entries are more polished and thought-provoking, and the creators have allowed the audience to have a say on which film is the best.
Last year’s top winner, As Light is Lost in Light, was the best executed of all the entries but was met with laughter and confusion by much of the audience, whose favorites were snubbed from awards. This year, all 11 entries were available for viewing online beforehand, and students could vote for their favorite film.
Including the audience is a step in the right direction, and with consistent participation and improvement of the event, FilmFest could and should stand as a university tradition akin to Sing Song-an event that brings students, faculty, staff and alumni together to create a worthwhile product.
Voting is now closed online for the audience favorite, but here’s a glimpse at the lineup for FilmFest 2005: Milestones:
They Call You Holy
Category: Music Video
Cody Veteto, technical director, set design
Ryan Jones, director, writer
Scott Morrison, sound design
Doug Walton, producer
Miss Friday Night Lights
Category: Music Video
Chad Carnes, producer, set design
A.J. Smith, writer, director, technical director, sound design
Awake, You Dreamless Sleepers
Category: Drama
Elena Stevenson, sound design
Amanda McGee, producer, director, writer, production designer
Josh Martin, technical director
By My Thundering Hordes
Category: Action/Thriller
Nick Hester, technical director
Lance Ferguson, production designer
Seth Adcock, producer
Chad Zellner, director
David Hewell, sound design
David Chisolm, writer
Carlotta
Category: Drama
Kendra Heard, director
Kenny Jones, production designer
Alex York, technical director
Nikki Bogle, producer
Andrew Loveland, sound designer
Thanatos
Category: Drama
Kayla Leech, producer
Martin Walker, director, writer
Emily Pollastro, technical director
Existencia Clandestina
Category: Drama
John Bemrich, technical director and sound designer
April Cordero, director, producer, writer, production designer
Refills
Category: Drama
Michael Breeden, producer, production design
Bo Mechinus, director, writer
Nick Hester, technical director
Richard Schissler, sound design
New River
Category: Music Video
Danny Gambero, director, sound design, writer
Brad Hoover, producer, production design
Scott Delony, technical director
noc
Category: Drama
Brady Rector, director, producer, writer
Chris Tarrant, technical director, sound design
Scott Taylor, production designer
Crazy But True
Category: Drama
Ben Fike, sound design
Ben Hernandez, technical director, sound design
Judges for FilmFest 2005: Milestones
Stephen Bailey (’92)
Randy Brewer (’93)
Nelson Coates (’84)
Rob Gibbs
Kurt Heinecke
Les Hunter (’86)
David Leeson (’78)
Vonn Miller
Martin Perry (’83)
Brandon Scott Thomas (’92)
Rob Thomas
Hunter, Brewer, Leeson and Scott Thomas will be present at the premiere Friday night, as well as at the Judge’s Symposium Saturday at 10 a.m. in Room 115 of the College of Business Administration Building. Tickets for the symposium are $3 as well and are available in the Campus Center ticket windows.
Ticket Info
FilmFest 2005 is at 7 p.m. Friday at the Paramount Theatre, located at 352 Cypress St.
Tickets are $3 and can be bought at the Campus Center ticket windows until 3:30 p.m., or at the door. If you are buying at the door, be sure to arrive no later than 6:30 p.m. to ensure a seat and that the show will begin on time.
