By Kelsi Peace, Managing Editor
If FilmFest draws a large enough audience to sell out the Paramount, not only will the crowd be the largest in four years of FilmFest history, but Doug Darby, executive director of FilmFest, will shave his head.
“And that’s saying something. I’m putting my head on the line,” said Darby, who boasts a full head of hair. “I think it’s an achievable goal.”
In the spirit of FilmFest’s theme, “Revolutions,” Darby is willing to make the change if the 1,200-seat theater is filled – and if 50 films are submitted, which should yield about 25 competing films, Darby said. Since its inception, FilmFest has garnered an audience of about 1,000, and last year 42 films were submitted with 21 emerging as participants.
Registration begins Monday in the Campus Center, and interested students can attend a meeting Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Bean Sprout.
Like its theme, FilmFest is undergoing more changes than a haircut for its director.
This year, students can use either their own equipment or the festival’s,’ as long as the camera is a single-CCD video camera, which is a consumer camera – not a professional’s.
All entrants must use iMovie to edit their films.
“It keeps our playing field level,” Darby said. “We want to let them try to be as creative as they can within the limits.”
Students cannot exceed $200 on their films, and they must include a “control element” to ensure they did not film early.
The limits shouldn’t stunt student creativity, though.
“I think the films are getting better; the technology is getting better,” said Matt Maxwell, former FilmFest director, who has helped Darby with FilmFest for three years. “It’s an avenue for a lot of students to do some really creative projects and to express themselves in a way no other venues allow.”
After Maxwell graduates in December, he said he plans to attend a film school in Los Angeles to pursue a career in film. And he’s one of many.
“We’ve seen more and more students coming to ACU interested in production,” Darby said.
FilmFest helps get students’ videos in the hands of people who can help. The winning film will be posted on iTunes, and Darby said he has been in conversation with Apple about other venues.
“It really impressed a lot of people what was coming out of ACU,” he said.
Darby said he is looking to expand FilmFest to include other CCCU colleges, among them Oklahoma Christian University. ACU has been a leader among CCCU schools with FilmFest since it began four years ago.
“We operate a lot like a film school would in a number of ways,” Darby said.
This year’s judges include popular Web personality Cali Lewis, whose podcast “GeekBrief” is produced by her husband, Neal Campbell. Lewis will do a live podcast from ACU. Brian Hardin with Whiplash Records will judge, and an artist on the label, Jill Parr, will perform.
Darby said he is waiting for confirmation from some perspective judges, and said he expects about six to eight judges for the event.
This year’s judges will award winners in six categories: Best Producer, Best Director, Best Technical Director, Best Writer, Best Sound and Best Production. Last year, awards included Best Actor and Best Actress and this year an award for Best Music Competition will also be awarded. As always, People’s Choice and Best Overall will be awarded. Winners will walk away with cash awards or Video Nanos.
And in the name of revolution, Darby is also looking to make FilmFest a weekend event, considering a FilmFest Chapel and a way to allow judges to interact more on campus.
These “Revolutions” reflect a campus trend, Darby said.
“At all levels, there is this sense of revolution. I see the change in technology . and the way students come in,” Darby said. “One person can make a change. What is your revolution?”
Darby’s could be a haircut.
