Viva!: Make Your Own Damn Movie!
Jon Simpkins and J.D. Swerzenski
Issue date: 1/23/09 Section: Trinity Life
Normally, I use this space to review a movie, but this week presents a bit of a problem: you haven't made the movies I want to talk about yet. Emphasis on yet.
Lemme back up: You might be familiar with TigerTV (channel 14 on campus), Trinity's student-run television station. For years, students have had the opportunity to work on one of several TV shows. Two years ago, TigerTV also introduced an annual film festival in April, where student submissions earn extra recognition. As San Antonio edges closer and closer to becoming a center for independent film like Austin, Trinity has continued to nurture the campus culture for student filmmakers.
Now comes the next step, the Trinity Film Initiative: a semster-long workshop for all aspiring filmmakers looking to show their mettle. The initiative is being led by TigerTV's new Independent Projects Manager (who I hear is also astonishingly good-looking, but already spoken for), and is entirely student-run. The first meeting is THIS THURSDAY JAN 29, at 8:15 p.m. in NORTHRUP 040. Everyone who comes should bring between one to three ideas for a short movie. Over the course of the semester, these ideas will get developed into scripts, will be cast, shot and edited, and by the end of April, will be debuted. To applause, probably.
Are you interested in acting, music or some technical aspect instead? Keep your eyes open, because there will be casting calls and such as the semester goes on. But for writer/directors, let's real quickly go through some questions:
-Is a lot of experience necessary? It depends on how committed you are, and how ambitious your movie is. If you know which end of the camera you point at stuff, we're off to a good start.
-Do you need a script? Not yet. The first few weeks are devoted to writing, so a strong concept is all you need to start.
-Do you need equipment? None whatsoever. It's all available for use from the communications department, and we'll talk about it more at the meeting.
-Do you need to be a Communications Major? NO. Not any more than you have to be an English major to read this article. If you love movies and have a great idea that you're willing to pursue for a semester, then get your ass to the meeting on Thursday.
Yesterday, the Oscar nominations came out, and last week, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" came out. So, if between an awe-inspiring list of great cinema, or the dull flicker of mediocrity, you find yourself saying "I could do better than that," then I think you're right. Now go out there and prove it.
See you Thursday.
Lemme back up: You might be familiar with TigerTV (channel 14 on campus), Trinity's student-run television station. For years, students have had the opportunity to work on one of several TV shows. Two years ago, TigerTV also introduced an annual film festival in April, where student submissions earn extra recognition. As San Antonio edges closer and closer to becoming a center for independent film like Austin, Trinity has continued to nurture the campus culture for student filmmakers.
Now comes the next step, the Trinity Film Initiative: a semster-long workshop for all aspiring filmmakers looking to show their mettle. The initiative is being led by TigerTV's new Independent Projects Manager (who I hear is also astonishingly good-looking, but already spoken for), and is entirely student-run. The first meeting is THIS THURSDAY JAN 29, at 8:15 p.m. in NORTHRUP 040. Everyone who comes should bring between one to three ideas for a short movie. Over the course of the semester, these ideas will get developed into scripts, will be cast, shot and edited, and by the end of April, will be debuted. To applause, probably.
Are you interested in acting, music or some technical aspect instead? Keep your eyes open, because there will be casting calls and such as the semester goes on. But for writer/directors, let's real quickly go through some questions:
-Is a lot of experience necessary? It depends on how committed you are, and how ambitious your movie is. If you know which end of the camera you point at stuff, we're off to a good start.
-Do you need a script? Not yet. The first few weeks are devoted to writing, so a strong concept is all you need to start.
-Do you need equipment? None whatsoever. It's all available for use from the communications department, and we'll talk about it more at the meeting.
-Do you need to be a Communications Major? NO. Not any more than you have to be an English major to read this article. If you love movies and have a great idea that you're willing to pursue for a semester, then get your ass to the meeting on Thursday.
Yesterday, the Oscar nominations came out, and last week, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" came out. So, if between an awe-inspiring list of great cinema, or the dull flicker of mediocrity, you find yourself saying "I could do better than that," then I think you're right. Now go out there and prove it.
See you Thursday.
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