Students present films at contest
Rachel Williams, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/11/05 Section: News
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Student filmmakers showcased their talent this week in the Student Film Contest, hosted by University Programs. The student films were screened in the video theater and entries ranged from documentaries to detective adventures.
"Circling Earth," a story about the lifestyle of female potters in Northeast Thailand was Alaric Cole's first film, and won First Place Overall.
Most of the students' films were produced on a student's budget.
"Our budget expense was about 40 bucks," said Robert Duncan, whose short film "The Adventures of Detective Dan" won the Student's Choice award. Duncan saved money by using his parents' video camera and enlisting the help of friends.
"I couldn't have finished this work without my friends' help," Duncan said. "I've been friends with the cast for years, and we've been making movies and short films together now for a long time."
Kendrick Disch created his documentary "Southside to the South", which won Second Place Overall, as a project for a graduate level journalism course. Disch, along with the film's writer and producer, Elliot Nance, funded the project themselves. "Southside to the South" tells the story of a boy who moved to Fayetteville after being kicked out of his Chicago high school.
Low budgets did not stop the students' determination to create high-quality films.
"Style is important to me and I like to experiment a little," Disch said. "Southside used really high contrast black and white imagery to show the rawness in Chicago."
Disch also won Third Overall for "Carousel", a drama about the highs and lows of college relationships.
What Duncan lacked in money, he made up for with effort.
"While the actual filming process was rather short, it took a few months of editing to complete the film to my liking," Duncan said.
Both Duncan and Disch hope to pursue careers in film.
"I started when I was a sophomore with an independent study in the communications department," Disch said. "I made a documentary about Neo-Noir films and interviewed an expert on the subject. That got me started and I haven't looked back since."
Disch has since worked on six other independent short films, including two music videos.
Duncan discovered his passion for film while working on a school project in eighth grade.
"I've always had a blast making movies, and I can't wait to do it again," Duncan said. "I would love to pursue a career in film and intend to keep working my way toward that goal."
While Duncan and Disch have both made several short films in the past, many of the entries were from first-time filmmakers.
"Circling Earth," a story about the lifestyle of female potters in Northeast Thailand was Alaric Cole's first film, and won First Place Overall.
Most of the students' films were produced on a student's budget.
"Our budget expense was about 40 bucks," said Robert Duncan, whose short film "The Adventures of Detective Dan" won the Student's Choice award. Duncan saved money by using his parents' video camera and enlisting the help of friends.
"I couldn't have finished this work without my friends' help," Duncan said. "I've been friends with the cast for years, and we've been making movies and short films together now for a long time."
Kendrick Disch created his documentary "Southside to the South", which won Second Place Overall, as a project for a graduate level journalism course. Disch, along with the film's writer and producer, Elliot Nance, funded the project themselves. "Southside to the South" tells the story of a boy who moved to Fayetteville after being kicked out of his Chicago high school.
Low budgets did not stop the students' determination to create high-quality films.
"Style is important to me and I like to experiment a little," Disch said. "Southside used really high contrast black and white imagery to show the rawness in Chicago."
Disch also won Third Overall for "Carousel", a drama about the highs and lows of college relationships.
What Duncan lacked in money, he made up for with effort.
"While the actual filming process was rather short, it took a few months of editing to complete the film to my liking," Duncan said.
Both Duncan and Disch hope to pursue careers in film.
"I started when I was a sophomore with an independent study in the communications department," Disch said. "I made a documentary about Neo-Noir films and interviewed an expert on the subject. That got me started and I haven't looked back since."
Disch has since worked on six other independent short films, including two music videos.
Duncan discovered his passion for film while working on a school project in eighth grade.
"I've always had a blast making movies, and I can't wait to do it again," Duncan said. "I would love to pursue a career in film and intend to keep working my way toward that goal."
While Duncan and Disch have both made several short films in the past, many of the entries were from first-time filmmakers.
