Film Blitz

Photo: Kelsey Hightower
Max Proctor directing a short film for the
Film Blitz

The Film and Media Studies group held a 24-hour film competition last Friday, where students spent a full day writing, shooting and editing a short film. The four groups that successfully completed the challenge will have their movies shown Wednesday night.

The audience will play an important role at the screening, at least in the eyes of the filmmakers. After the movie screening, the audience will vote for their favorite film, and the winning group will receive a prize for overall best film. There will also be winners chosen for following the specific requirements most creatively, such as winning best prop or best use of dialogue. President Ty Anderson, Film and Media Studies sophomore, says every film will win some type of prize to get recognition for their work.

In 1998, the Shoot Out Film Festival in Australia came up with the concept of creating a twenty-four hour film competition. Since then, the festival expanded the model overseas to Colorado, and now many universities, including OU, are utilizing this.
Groups of film students anxiously congregated at 9:00 p.m. in Scholars Room of the Union to receive their instructions for making their film. President, Ty Anderson collected admission fees, and discussed housekeeping rules before handing out the secretive manila envelope with the requirements inside. Once the students had the envelope in hand, each team rapidly dispersed to let the creative juices flow. From there, students crafted a plot, incorporated required props and dialogue, filmed the scenes, and edited their masterpieces before 9:00 p.m. Saturday.

“This is more about the process of making a film,” said Anderson. “Not trying to create a masterpiece.” Anderson said. He participated in the film blitz the past two semesters and believes there is something to learn whether you’ve never worked on a film or if you’re an expert. Sophomore Melanie Duran said this is her first time at the film blitz. She participated so that she could start building connections with other film students and expand her knowledge about creating films. “This exercise really kick-starts your creative juices,” said Anderson. “Immediately after I had finished the film blitz I had so many ideas I could work with.”

The Film and Media Studies group will be premiering each team’s films on Wednesday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m.
(SOT: Kelsey Hightower: 0:10)

Junior Ann Laudick

Kim Haywood-deadCENTER Film Festival

Chief Operating Officer and Festival Director Kim Haywood is one of only two people working at deadCENTER Film Festival, yet she still finds time to share her love of movies with the community. Haywood has helped deadCENTER grow for the past ten years. She puts on events, finds volunteers, and teaches students about film.

deadCENTER’s rooftop has been made into a patio, set up with chairs, tables, and décor, making it the ideal spot to host movie screenings, which is exactly what Haywood does. The screenings show work from independent filmmakers whose films were registered at the festival and it is open to the community.

Haywood began working at deadCENTER as a volunteer for the annual June festival. Once she began getting involved, she couldn’t stop helping out. She’s shaped the festival from a one-day event, to now being a five-day event for 1,300 people. Her passion for films is embedded in her belief that people have stories that need to be shared. “There’s a topic or there’s a story; there’s something out there, that once I hear it I’m going to say ‘I want to make that documentary,’” Haywood said.

Executive Director Lance McDaniel also began as a volunteer at deadCENTER in 2005. Now, they depend on each other for everyday issues and crisis. Their mission at deadCENTER states: “Our mission is to promote, encourage and celebrate the independent film arts.” Haywood utilizes this mission through her projects. “She’s good at getting people excited about different things,” McDaniel said. “She rallies people to do things that are fun and good for the community.”

Haywood is currently working on getting a grant to help fund projects. These include visiting various schools all over Oklahoma to teach students about films. Students learn various aspects of film, from narrative to making and producing their own movies. Through grants and other resources, Haywood will continue reaching out and impacting others.

(VIDEO: Kelsey Hightower 1:40)

Social Media is changing the Film Industry

Photo: Kelsey Hightower
Students using social media at Gaylord.

Movies are being promoted in the newest ways possible. Filmmakers of all kinds are utilizing social media to gain more success with their films. US & World said Classical Hollywood had success because of the Star System and now Modern Hollywood has Facebook, Twitter, and mobile phones. Even independent filmmakers are taking advantage of the world at their fingertips.

Photo: Kelsey Hightower
Kenny Madison checking his Web pages.

With over 800 million users on Facebook, connecting and sharing with people has become a type of lifestyle, which makes promoting things like films much easier. Kenny Madison, Film and Studies graduate from the University of Oklahoma, said that six days ago he added one of his new episodes to YouTube, and since then it has caught the attention of nearly 150 viewers. Also, websites like Kickstarter are becoming more popular, with thousands of users pledging money to projects they like.

Traditionally, marketing was left primarily to a publicist to promote the movie. Once the movie was in theaters, word of mouth helped build the success of the movie. Now filmmakers can independently promote their movies through social media. The Disney Channel is currently promoting its new movie The Muppets by trying to make Facebook history and get “1 BaZillion likes.” If Disney reaches its goal, fans will be able to watch The Muppets before it comes out in theaters.

“Social Media has given me many opportunities,” said actor and director Philip Borghee. “We’ve found locations, people to play extras and I’ve been put in movies because of it.” Borghee is currently working on the movie The Jones’, which has its own Facebook page and has drawn a lot of attention. “A lady on Facebook saw that we need a refinery for a filming location and let us use hers,” said Borghee. Not only has Facebook helped to find places for filming, but when the cast needed extras to play zombies, every single position was found thanks to social media connections. 

           

The future is being embraced by the film industry. US & World said Paramount’s Paranormal Activity had great success in the box-office making more than $150 million after only spending $15,000 to make. “Paramount extensively used Facebook to promote the film, partnering with Eventful to get would-be fans to request a screening of the film in their area,” said US & World. Technology is driving the future for filmmakers everywhere.

Trip to the Mall

To explain to you one of my favorite places, I will take you on a trip to the mall! Although I love going to the mall to shop, there is so much more to do than that. It's actually a very clean place to hang out and if you're an early riser, it's a good place to catch up on homework because they have free wi-fi. Take a look at why the mall's much more than a place to find the latest fashion.

Dracula

With the fall weather and Halloween around the corner, this is the perfect time for Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula to come to life; But bigger and scarier changes are coming to the University of Oklahoma’s Rupel J. Jones Theatre this weekend. Dracula is hitting the stage tonight with the most special effects ever used. This production will be the first time many of the cast and crew has ever worked with false stages, explosions, trap doors and the extensive lighting. This may also be their last. 


This elaborate production is sure to keep the audience scared and hanging on to their seats, which is exactly what the cast and crew are aiming for. “Some people won’t want to come see it,” said director Tom Orr. “Everyone enjoys a thrill, but you’re not going to enjoy Dracula unless you want the hairs on your back to stand up.”


 Orr has had this idea for the past four years. To be able to put on such an extensive show, a professional team worked throughout the summer on special effects and stages. Some stages were completed but the special effects were nowhere close to being done.  “Special effects are still being completed today,” said Orr. The actors had to be back in school a week before the rest of the campus to get started on their roles.


Not only is the production a giant step with special effects, but also many of the actors are finding new and challenging roles in Dracula. “I’ve always played a drunk or a funnier role,” said Brad Brockman, acting junior. “Dracula’s suave, dark and a very powerful person, which is nothing like me.” He said that because Dracula is such a powerful man, he needs a dominant, stiff posture, which is sometimes hard to maintain especially with the elaborate costumes.


Even some of the smallest costume changes can be the most challenging during the show. “I have two transformations during the show, which includes changing out my contacts,” said Brockman. This additional change can sometimes be difficult because he has to deal with the make-up, dirt and sweat getting in his eyes as he changes his completely white colored contacts. “I wasn’t able to see for a while during rehearsals,” said Brockman. Although there are various obstacles throughout the show, Brockman says he is excited about creating something new and gaining a new experience that will help him when he gets out of school.


Every play this year will have it’s own unique aspect to it, so we will not know what to expect until the next show comes around. Orr does say that this show will be the only one of its' kind, simply because Dracula demands the extra effects to make Bram Stoker's novel come to life; So you might want to check it out while you can. The shows will be at 8 pm September 29, 30, and October 1; 3pm September 25 and October 2 at the Rupel J. Jones Theater. 

Medieval Fair

           The Medieval Fair, the biggest single weekend event in Oklahoma, continues to grow in numbers not only with the increase of visitors, but also an increase in cast members. Entertaining this large group of people takes a lot of preparation and planning. The Medieval Fair, which will be at the end of March, held auditions for cast members yesterday.

            This year, the Medieval Fair will be based on a market scene during he time of Edward III and his court. This is the first time in 6 years the Medieval Fair has changed courts. Previously, the cast has reenacted Henry I. Ann Marie Eckart, Medieval Fair Coordinator, said she is not only looking for new cast members, but also looking to add new roles to the fair, from the Rat Lady to a Pipe-Piper.

The Medieval Fair tradition began on the south oval of the University of Oklahoma 34 years ago with a group of about 100 students reenacting the medieval times. Now, the Medieval Fair has grown to host 375,000 people just this past year. It has not only been a strong tradition for OU, but many of the returning cast members told about how the fair has made a lasting impression on them. When the coordinator and director asked each person auditioning why they decided to try-out, over half a dozen people said once they experienced the fair, they were hooked. From then on they wanted to be a part of what make such a big impact to them.

 “I was the shy kid,” said Eckart thinking back on her childhood. She told about how one of her friends convinced her to make a costume and experience the Medieval Fair when she was 16. Even after she had her costume ready, it took her friend dragging Eckart out of the house to actually participate. Once at the fair, she played a servant without any speaking lines. She said she enjoyed the fair so much that she was completed hooked after that. Now, she says working with the different kinds of people every year is her favorite part of the fair. “I’ve grown up with the fair, and grown through the fair, so this is my chance to give back,” said Eckart.

            Every person who auditioned was invited to the first rehearsal. Eckart announced that she would be able to find a role for each person that wanted to be involved. However, during audition breaks the director and coordinator already began deciding who would play each part. “I’m looking for someone who can think on their feet because the fair is 95 percent improvisation,” said Eckart.

Following auditions, the cast will attend eight workshops. During the workshops, cast members will practice their improvisational skills by doing activities such as rotating three different people in a game. This game will consist of one person standing, one leaning, and one sitting down. “These games teach them how to multi-task as well as improvisational,” Cody Clark, director. They will also learn how to sew their costumes, learn the history of the fair, and speak their roles during these workshops. “I am very pleased with the turnout,” said Eckart. “We may have more auditions later on or people are encouraged to show up to the first rehearsal if they are interested.”

Photo: Kelsey Hightower Medieval Fair Coordinator, Ann Marie Eckart and Medieval Fair Director, Cody Clark discuss participants that auditioned.

Medieval Fair

Photo: Kelsey Hightower