First, a hearty congratulations to VP Ashley; in my opinion the show was a total success. That being said, if you can catch one of the three remaining performances (last one on Sunday), do so. This was as bizarre a theatrical production as I've seen, but it really gets you thinking. Plus, the core narratives focus on relationships and a prehistoric man frozen for 5000+ years in the Alps. Try to think of a crazier combination. As far as the use of video, the combination of live recitation and recorded footage created this surreal scenario where the audience could watch the person, or the video feed, which was the slightest bit delayed, pushing the audio slightly out of sync. Really cool stuff, somewhat absurdist but it really served the stories well. OH! And it's interactive. Which is always awesome.
V.
PS: Otzi The Iceman. Weird.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
In Defense of Film Studies at Loyola
[The following is written by one of the most passionate film students I've had the pleasure of knowing. He cares about this program and the people in it, and I sincerely hope his efforts don't go unnoticed. ~Vince.]
Hello Students
My name is Scott Salhanick and I am an International Film and Media Studies major on production track.
I am here today to talk to you about the injustice of the closing of Damen 437 and how it affects us, as students of Loyola University Chicago.
Many of you, as Communications Studies majors and minors, will, in your Loyola career, take at least one production course, if you have not already. You will use either Final Cut Pro for video editing and/or ProTools suite for audio editing.
Currently, there are thirty-three plus students enrolled in courses, which use Final Cut Pro. However, with the closing of Damen 437, the number of available computers at the Lake Shore Campus decreases 29.4% from 17 available computers to 5 available computers, three in the Digital Media Lab and two Macbook Pros with Final Cut Pro installed. Also, there are fifteen plus students enrolled in courses, which use ProTools suite. Yet, there are no ProTools labs available at the Lake Shore Campus.
The gross lack of facilities at the Lake Shore Campus of Loyola University not only hinders the schools ability to stay competitive with other schools in Chicago and nationwide, but, more importantly, this also hinders the ability of the students to do their assigned work.
The closing of Damen 437, to communications and International Film and Media studies majors and minors, is tantamount to the closing of the Information Commons or the Cudahy Library.
The mission statement of Loyola University Chicago says:
We are Chicago’s Jesuit Catholic University – A diverse community seeking God in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith.
By closing Damen 437, this goes in direct opposition of the school’s mission statement by inhibiting the students from expanding their knowledge in the service of humanity through learning.
By closing Damen 437, this goes in direct opposition of the school’s mission statement by providing an injustice to the very students the mission statement was written for.
By closing Damen 437, this goes in direct opposition of the school’s mission statement by depriving the students of the faith they have in their administration.
There are ways to repair this injustice; however, it is on the shoulders of the administration to take the first step. The main reason the administration has told me that they have shut down Damen 437 is because there is no way of monitoring the classroom. There is only one monitored computer lab in the entire school, aside from the Information Commons, and that is the State Room in CFSU. The rest of the computer labs, both in Mundelein and Damen, are monitored on rounds every hour or so. Why can Damen 437 not be on these rounds? Moreover, Loyola could place a work-study student at the desk in Damen 437 for a few hours a day.
So, please think about what I have said and think about what it means to have Damen 437 open again.
Hello Students
My name is Scott Salhanick and I am an International Film and Media Studies major on production track.
I am here today to talk to you about the injustice of the closing of Damen 437 and how it affects us, as students of Loyola University Chicago.
Many of you, as Communications Studies majors and minors, will, in your Loyola career, take at least one production course, if you have not already. You will use either Final Cut Pro for video editing and/or ProTools suite for audio editing.
Currently, there are thirty-three plus students enrolled in courses, which use Final Cut Pro. However, with the closing of Damen 437, the number of available computers at the Lake Shore Campus decreases 29.4% from 17 available computers to 5 available computers, three in the Digital Media Lab and two Macbook Pros with Final Cut Pro installed. Also, there are fifteen plus students enrolled in courses, which use ProTools suite. Yet, there are no ProTools labs available at the Lake Shore Campus.
The gross lack of facilities at the Lake Shore Campus of Loyola University not only hinders the schools ability to stay competitive with other schools in Chicago and nationwide, but, more importantly, this also hinders the ability of the students to do their assigned work.
The closing of Damen 437, to communications and International Film and Media studies majors and minors, is tantamount to the closing of the Information Commons or the Cudahy Library.
The mission statement of Loyola University Chicago says:
We are Chicago’s Jesuit Catholic University – A diverse community seeking God in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith.
By closing Damen 437, this goes in direct opposition of the school’s mission statement by inhibiting the students from expanding their knowledge in the service of humanity through learning.
By closing Damen 437, this goes in direct opposition of the school’s mission statement by providing an injustice to the very students the mission statement was written for.
By closing Damen 437, this goes in direct opposition of the school’s mission statement by depriving the students of the faith they have in their administration.
There are ways to repair this injustice; however, it is on the shoulders of the administration to take the first step. The main reason the administration has told me that they have shut down Damen 437 is because there is no way of monitoring the classroom. There is only one monitored computer lab in the entire school, aside from the Information Commons, and that is the State Room in CFSU. The rest of the computer labs, both in Mundelein and Damen, are monitored on rounds every hour or so. Why can Damen 437 not be on these rounds? Moreover, Loyola could place a work-study student at the desk in Damen 437 for a few hours a day.
So, please think about what I have said and think about what it means to have Damen 437 open again.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Why E.T. Frightens Me
DISCLAIMER: If you like E.T. The Exterrestrial, sorry. I jest at your expense. Go listen to the Flying Theme and have yourself a good cry. Onward and upward:
This is going to be a little bit of a rant, but whatever. Something I saw or read or thought today reminded me of E.T., you know, the little bastard alien from the Steven Spielberg movie, and since I haven't posted in awhile I figured I'd set the record straight on the subject. E.T. is not cute, loving, adorable, child-friendly, or heroic. He is a huge leeching creep that gives off way too many messed-up sexual undertones. My evidence:
1. He gets left on earth, finds his way to Elliott, and then proceeds to SUCK ELLIOTT'S LIFE AWAY AS A BARGAINING CHIP ONCE HE'S CAUGHT. Seriously, think about it: he puts some kind of fucked-up alien voodoo curse on the little kid so that family/friends will be more motivated to help. Save me, E.T. says, or Elliott is gonna wrinkle up into a dusty prune right next to me. What a manipulative douche. If I was Elliott, as soon as E.T. got better I'd take him into the forest and brain his little nutsack head with a rock. Which brings us to 2. E.T. is some kind of sexual deviant. Okay, yeah, this is never explicitly addressed in the film but the clues are there. His head (as I mentioned mere moments eariler) is shaped like a big, wrinkly scrotum... which is attached to a "neck" that elongates when E.T. gets excited. That's not phallic, or anything. He hides in a closet, a typical behavior of voyeurs. And his "magic finger"? Let's just say that there's a reason Drew Barrymore was so fucked up. You don't start snorting cocaine in grade school unless you're trying to dance and twitch away the feeling that you're being stalked by a giant penis weilding a long, scraggly, glowing molestation device. E.T. got to Drew young, and the result was two stints in rehab before the age of 14. And in a so-called "family" movie. Nice work, you drunk. Which is 3. E.T. is a drunk. I don't think this warrants any additional justification. At least he's a relatively cheap date.
All this probably isn't the little teabag's fault; if your alien race doesn't even care enough about you to make sure you got back on the INTERSTELLAR SPACESHIP I have to think E.T.'s home life was pretty shitty. And Elliott, next time you meet a "friend" from outer space, make sure he doesn't want to suck your life away. Even if he promises in return to make your bike fly.
-Your Fearless President.
This is going to be a little bit of a rant, but whatever. Something I saw or read or thought today reminded me of E.T., you know, the little bastard alien from the Steven Spielberg movie, and since I haven't posted in awhile I figured I'd set the record straight on the subject. E.T. is not cute, loving, adorable, child-friendly, or heroic. He is a huge leeching creep that gives off way too many messed-up sexual undertones. My evidence:
1. He gets left on earth, finds his way to Elliott, and then proceeds to SUCK ELLIOTT'S LIFE AWAY AS A BARGAINING CHIP ONCE HE'S CAUGHT. Seriously, think about it: he puts some kind of fucked-up alien voodoo curse on the little kid so that family/friends will be more motivated to help. Save me, E.T. says, or Elliott is gonna wrinkle up into a dusty prune right next to me. What a manipulative douche. If I was Elliott, as soon as E.T. got better I'd take him into the forest and brain his little nutsack head with a rock. Which brings us to 2. E.T. is some kind of sexual deviant. Okay, yeah, this is never explicitly addressed in the film but the clues are there. His head (as I mentioned mere moments eariler) is shaped like a big, wrinkly scrotum... which is attached to a "neck" that elongates when E.T. gets excited. That's not phallic, or anything. He hides in a closet, a typical behavior of voyeurs. And his "magic finger"? Let's just say that there's a reason Drew Barrymore was so fucked up. You don't start snorting cocaine in grade school unless you're trying to dance and twitch away the feeling that you're being stalked by a giant penis weilding a long, scraggly, glowing molestation device. E.T. got to Drew young, and the result was two stints in rehab before the age of 14. And in a so-called "family" movie. Nice work, you drunk. Which is 3. E.T. is a drunk. I don't think this warrants any additional justification. At least he's a relatively cheap date.
All this probably isn't the little teabag's fault; if your alien race doesn't even care enough about you to make sure you got back on the INTERSTELLAR SPACESHIP I have to think E.T.'s home life was pretty shitty. And Elliott, next time you meet a "friend" from outer space, make sure he doesn't want to suck your life away. Even if he promises in return to make your bike fly.
-Your Fearless President.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Facets Film School Winter Sessions
That pretty much sums it up. Check it out online if you're interested.
V.
V.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Raneath the Magnificant's Ten List
1. 2046: Where do I begin with 2046? Was so long and confusing the first time I saw it but the second time, everything falls into place and been an admirer ever since. This is what you call a formalist cinema. Awesome cinematography and nostalgic music scores, can’t get better than this.
2. Big Fish: Besides my love for the whole surrealist aspects of the film, the one scene that I enjoy the most probably is the young Edward Bloom’s courtship for Sandra because I’m really romantic like that. Duh! And what about the ending huh? Teary eyes? If you really submerge yourself into a film when you watch it, very most likely.
3. The Fall: Do I really love all the fantastically costumes design, exotic locations, eye-candy cinematography, and a sad love story? You better believe it. I actually met the director with Sean at the Century Cinema Theater in Evanston. Seems like a cool person for a director of somewhat a name to sit on the ground and talk to the fans. Couldn’t hear half of what he was saying because he got an Indian accent and I don’t even speak English. Haha
4. Pan’s Labyrinth: A love at first sight by fortunate accident. Had to go see it for the Latin media study and criticism class and I thought it was gonna be some Tango-dancing Latin film. That really says how aware I was of the world’s cinema a few years ago. I think I had my mouth open the whole time. That may explain why I got that fly in my mouth. Hmmm!?
5. Kamakazi Girls: If you’re into or have any liking for the whole EGL, elegant gothic Lolita, this would be your cinematic bible. Hell, you’re into Japanese anime culture and all of its quirkiness? You’ll love it, too. Damn! Why are Asian so awesome? ;)
6. 28 Days Later: They don’t call it a genre bench marker for no good reasons. The whole deserted urban area is so captivating. That really says something about human’s fascination with our own destruction.
7. Requiem for a Dream: Honestly, this film made me want to do drugs for the first half but then… I’ve been trying to come up with something that emulates this badass of a film. Oh! Maybe I say it once and for all that other film’s trailer needs to stop using the Lux Aeterna theme already? You’re diluting a gem, partner.
8. Taxi Driver: “Are you talking to me?” “Have you ever seen what a .44 Magnum will do to a woman’s pussy?” Got to love that Scorsese guy lol. I totally dig De niro’s role and acting in this one. That double-take look in the restaurant with other cab drivers? That’s what I’m talking about.
9. Dead Man: What a film, huh? To be honest, I don’t know what the film is about. My brain isn’t that complex to comprehend what Jarmusch is trying to get at in this film but you know the film is good when you enjoy it without knowing what the fuck is going on. Let me know though if you think you understand this film’s meaning.
10. Brain Dead: Fucking gross, funny, scary, and ridiculously awesome at all the same time. Did you see the cream scene? So yummy! Peter Jackson needs to go back and make more stuff like this.
-I actually got a top 20 list and can’t narrow it down so I just pick 10 randomly and my list is in no way in ascending or descending order as I value them as equally good, just in different ways.
2. Big Fish: Besides my love for the whole surrealist aspects of the film, the one scene that I enjoy the most probably is the young Edward Bloom’s courtship for Sandra because I’m really romantic like that. Duh! And what about the ending huh? Teary eyes? If you really submerge yourself into a film when you watch it, very most likely.
3. The Fall: Do I really love all the fantastically costumes design, exotic locations, eye-candy cinematography, and a sad love story? You better believe it. I actually met the director with Sean at the Century Cinema Theater in Evanston. Seems like a cool person for a director of somewhat a name to sit on the ground and talk to the fans. Couldn’t hear half of what he was saying because he got an Indian accent and I don’t even speak English. Haha
4. Pan’s Labyrinth: A love at first sight by fortunate accident. Had to go see it for the Latin media study and criticism class and I thought it was gonna be some Tango-dancing Latin film. That really says how aware I was of the world’s cinema a few years ago. I think I had my mouth open the whole time. That may explain why I got that fly in my mouth. Hmmm!?
5. Kamakazi Girls: If you’re into or have any liking for the whole EGL, elegant gothic Lolita, this would be your cinematic bible. Hell, you’re into Japanese anime culture and all of its quirkiness? You’ll love it, too. Damn! Why are Asian so awesome? ;)
6. 28 Days Later: They don’t call it a genre bench marker for no good reasons. The whole deserted urban area is so captivating. That really says something about human’s fascination with our own destruction.
7. Requiem for a Dream: Honestly, this film made me want to do drugs for the first half but then… I’ve been trying to come up with something that emulates this badass of a film. Oh! Maybe I say it once and for all that other film’s trailer needs to stop using the Lux Aeterna theme already? You’re diluting a gem, partner.
8. Taxi Driver: “Are you talking to me?” “Have you ever seen what a .44 Magnum will do to a woman’s pussy?” Got to love that Scorsese guy lol. I totally dig De niro’s role and acting in this one. That double-take look in the restaurant with other cab drivers? That’s what I’m talking about.
9. Dead Man: What a film, huh? To be honest, I don’t know what the film is about. My brain isn’t that complex to comprehend what Jarmusch is trying to get at in this film but you know the film is good when you enjoy it without knowing what the fuck is going on. Let me know though if you think you understand this film’s meaning.
10. Brain Dead: Fucking gross, funny, scary, and ridiculously awesome at all the same time. Did you see the cream scene? So yummy! Peter Jackson needs to go back and make more stuff like this.
-I actually got a top 20 list and can’t narrow it down so I just pick 10 randomly and my list is in no way in ascending or descending order as I value them as equally good, just in different ways.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Ashley's TOP 10!!!!!!
Hey everybody!!!! This is my long overdue top ten list. Actually, it is 11 because I couldn't delete one without feeling blasphemous. Like Vince with his Star Wars, I am not including Buffy the Vampire Slayer or any Joss Whedon creations in that they are perfection and no one can compare......
11. Harold and Maude: This is an interesting study on love. It is quirky and Cat Stevens wrote most of the soundtrack specifically for the movie (before he went crazy). Even though you should be weirded out, you're not. It makes you think about love and life differently, which is why this movie rocks.
10. Sunset Boulevard: "I always wanted a pool." Enough said.
9. Streetcar named Desire: The play is phenomenal (obviously), the acting is brilliant, and so goes the film. There is so much intensity in this movie. Tennessee Williams creates such an intricate story, and the imagery is so layered, every time you watch it you find something new. PS. Marlon Brando is beyond sexy.
8. Casablanca: There's a reason this is a classic. It is sad, it is funny, it is awesome. If you haven't seen it, do it now.
7. Jules et Jim: Oh mon dieu how can we not include this? Classic French brilliance by Truffaut. He pushes things and we love him for that.
6. Lost In Translation: I love how honest this movie is. The dialogue is real and terrific and the cinematography creates some beautiful images. Bill Murray knows how to create an astounding character. Woo ScoJo!
5. Life Aquatic: Again, I say Bill Murray. Most people like The Royal Tenenbaums better (and it is most definitely brilliant), but this is my favorite Wes Anderson film. The soundtrack is amazing, and I think it is just a little more bizarre, which I guess I am considering a good thing.
4. Volver: This movie is staggeringly good. Pedro Almodóvar is definitely one of my favorite directors, and Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown was close to making this list. But, Volver is beautiful. The story is ingenious, and Penelope Cruz has one of the most incredibly acted scenes I have ever seen. Hooray.
3. Moulin Rouge: Don't make fun of me. I guess you can if you want, but Baz Luhrmann is a genius. The Red Curtain Trilogy (this movie plus Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet)is good directing smacking you in the face. Costumes, Set Design, Cinematography, every little thing about this movie amazes me. It is romantic. I love it.
2. Before Sunrise/Before Sunset Duo: I LOVE these movies because they are proof to everyone that simple, low budgeted, clever films can be made. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke co-wrote Before Sunset with Richard Linklater. Both films are 90 minutes of intelligent conversation, which seems really dull, but turns out to be truly insightful and it makes you feel good. Brilliant. Love it, watch it over and over.
1. 400 Blows: This was a difficult choice. Wait, no it wasn't. This film is beyond description. When you watch it, something inside you gets woken up and you remember childhood in a different way. The final scene is worth every complaint I have ever heard about this film. It is freeing, and Antoine Doinel becomes a character that you never ever forget...ever.
Woo, that was long but really fun. I hope you all get a chance to do this yourselves. Email your own top 10 (or 11) lists to me or Vince and we will get them up!! YAY LUCine!!!!
11. Harold and Maude: This is an interesting study on love. It is quirky and Cat Stevens wrote most of the soundtrack specifically for the movie (before he went crazy). Even though you should be weirded out, you're not. It makes you think about love and life differently, which is why this movie rocks.
10. Sunset Boulevard: "I always wanted a pool." Enough said.
9. Streetcar named Desire: The play is phenomenal (obviously), the acting is brilliant, and so goes the film. There is so much intensity in this movie. Tennessee Williams creates such an intricate story, and the imagery is so layered, every time you watch it you find something new. PS. Marlon Brando is beyond sexy.
8. Casablanca: There's a reason this is a classic. It is sad, it is funny, it is awesome. If you haven't seen it, do it now.
7. Jules et Jim: Oh mon dieu how can we not include this? Classic French brilliance by Truffaut. He pushes things and we love him for that.
6. Lost In Translation: I love how honest this movie is. The dialogue is real and terrific and the cinematography creates some beautiful images. Bill Murray knows how to create an astounding character. Woo ScoJo!
5. Life Aquatic: Again, I say Bill Murray. Most people like The Royal Tenenbaums better (and it is most definitely brilliant), but this is my favorite Wes Anderson film. The soundtrack is amazing, and I think it is just a little more bizarre, which I guess I am considering a good thing.
4. Volver: This movie is staggeringly good. Pedro Almodóvar is definitely one of my favorite directors, and Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown was close to making this list. But, Volver is beautiful. The story is ingenious, and Penelope Cruz has one of the most incredibly acted scenes I have ever seen. Hooray.
3. Moulin Rouge: Don't make fun of me. I guess you can if you want, but Baz Luhrmann is a genius. The Red Curtain Trilogy (this movie plus Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet)is good directing smacking you in the face. Costumes, Set Design, Cinematography, every little thing about this movie amazes me. It is romantic. I love it.
2. Before Sunrise/Before Sunset Duo: I LOVE these movies because they are proof to everyone that simple, low budgeted, clever films can be made. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke co-wrote Before Sunset with Richard Linklater. Both films are 90 minutes of intelligent conversation, which seems really dull, but turns out to be truly insightful and it makes you feel good. Brilliant. Love it, watch it over and over.
1. 400 Blows: This was a difficult choice. Wait, no it wasn't. This film is beyond description. When you watch it, something inside you gets woken up and you remember childhood in a different way. The final scene is worth every complaint I have ever heard about this film. It is freeing, and Antoine Doinel becomes a character that you never ever forget...ever.
Woo, that was long but really fun. I hope you all get a chance to do this yourselves. Email your own top 10 (or 11) lists to me or Vince and we will get them up!! YAY LUCine!!!!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A good film fest opportunity
Forwarded to us by Jeff:
Dear Professor Harder,
My name is Ian and I am on the publicity staff for the Ivy Film Festival. We were hoping to reach a broad audience of student filmmakers by going directly through professors involved in the theatre arts and film studies. I noticed that you are the Director of International Film & Media Studies at Loyola University Chicago. If there were any students in your class or in your department who would be interested in submitting a film or screenplay, I hope that you'll forward the following message! Although the regular deadline has already passed, we are still looking for submissions and will be accepting films or screenplays until February 21st.
Just a little bit about us: The Ivy Film Festival started in 2001 as a place for undergraduate and graduate filmmakers to share their work, and interact with other student filmmakers as well as established figures in the film industry. The 2009 Ivy Film Festival will take place from April 20th through the 26th, at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. We present selected films and screenplays to a wide audience, and a panel of celebrity judges (including directors, producers, writers, and agents) views the best selections from the festival.
Here are the details about submitting materials to the festival:
Please submit films (short or feature length) and/or screenplays (short or long form) to the 2009 Ivy Film Festival online at www.withoutabox.com or through the mail (visit www.ivyfilmfestival.com for more details). The deadlines are as follows:
Late deadline (February 14, 2009):
First film or screenplay submission - $30
Additional submissions - $15
Without A Box Extended deadline (February 21, 2009):
First film or screenplay submission - $45
Additional submissions - $20
If there are any questions, then feel free to email us at iffpublicity2009@gmail.com. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ian Veidenheimer
Publicity Staff
Ivy Film Festival
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
www.ivyfilmfestival.com
Looks like something worth checking out.
V.
Dear Professor Harder,
My name is Ian and I am on the publicity staff for the Ivy Film Festival. We were hoping to reach a broad audience of student filmmakers by going directly through professors involved in the theatre arts and film studies. I noticed that you are the Director of International Film & Media Studies at Loyola University Chicago. If there were any students in your class or in your department who would be interested in submitting a film or screenplay, I hope that you'll forward the following message! Although the regular deadline has already passed, we are still looking for submissions and will be accepting films or screenplays until February 21st.
Just a little bit about us: The Ivy Film Festival started in 2001 as a place for undergraduate and graduate filmmakers to share their work, and interact with other student filmmakers as well as established figures in the film industry. The 2009 Ivy Film Festival will take place from April 20th through the 26th, at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. We present selected films and screenplays to a wide audience, and a panel of celebrity judges (including directors, producers, writers, and agents) views the best selections from the festival.
Here are the details about submitting materials to the festival:
Please submit films (short or feature length) and/or screenplays (short or long form) to the 2009 Ivy Film Festival online at www.withoutabox.com or through the mail (visit www.ivyfilmfestival.com for more details). The deadlines are as follows:
Late deadline (February 14, 2009):
First film or screenplay submission - $30
Additional submissions - $15
Without A Box Extended deadline (February 21, 2009):
First film or screenplay submission - $45
Additional submissions - $20
If there are any questions, then feel free to email us at iffpublicity2009@gmail.com. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ian Veidenheimer
Publicity Staff
Ivy Film Festival
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
www.ivyfilmfestival.com
Looks like something worth checking out.
V.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)