Carolina Film and Video Festival

Published by permission of Reel Carolina, in which this article originally appeared.

     The views I express in this article about the 2004 Carolina Film and Video Festival (CFVF) are my own, and are not those of the University, Department of Broadcasting and Cinema, or the Festival staff. My involvement with the CFVF started three years ago. As a student of the Broadcasting and Cinema Department and at that time an aspiring writer for the UNCG campus publication, The Carolinian, I attended the 25th Annual UNCG CFVF.

     I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. John Lee Jellicorse, Chad Phillips, Festival Director Stephen Imwalle, Eric Patrick, Zora Medor, and Ann Bryan for their time, help, and the opportunity to be a part of the 2004 Festival I would also like to thank the creative filmmakers who shared their time, their stories, and their artistic imaginations: Mike Miley, Brad Preslar, and Chris Holmes. I would like to express my gratitude to the elite panel of jurors, who not only influenced my life but many others: Stuart Robertson, Tom Blomquist, and Leanne Campbell. In addition to the filmmakers and the jurors I would like to thank the extremely creative Keynote Speaker Jakob Trollback, the legendary Frank Capra, Jr., and former CFVF Festival Director David Gatten. Last but certainly not least, I am grateful to the extremely patient and imaginative guys from the hit Nickelodeon children’s program, Blue’s Clues, Animation Director David Palmer and the host "Joe," actor Donovan Patton.

     The Carolina Film and Video Festival offers an outlet for aspiring filmmakers. Student and independent filmmakers get the opportunity to offer an eclectic glimpse of their artistic expression and expose their imagination. The CFVF is the longest consecutive running film festival in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Entries to the festival are submitted from all over the world.

     For the Broadcasting and Cinema Department students, preparations for the CFVF start early in the fall semester, when the panel of sixteen students selected by faculty prescreen all of the entries, for about three hours, twice a week. Each film is rated on a scale from one to ten (ten being the highest). The highest rated films make it into the CFVF, where the films compete for prizes. For the Broadcasting and Cinema Department’s faculty, preparations for the CFVF seem to never end. Each year they face the challenges of finding ample funding, securing all the locations for the four day event, as well as selecting and scheduling an elite panel of jurors and guest speakers who will provide lectures and workshops that will educate and entertain students as well as local community members. The two weeks before the CFVF, it gets extremely hectic for the crew and the faculty—last minute preparations—but it all pays off in the end.

     On Wednesday February 18th at 5:00 p.m., the 27th annual Carolina Film and Video Festival started with an invitation only opening reception for the crew, the Broadcasting and Cinema Department’s faculty, the guest speakers, the jurors, as well as the artist and speaker of the Ashby Dialogues and some faculty from the Art Department and a few administrators from the University.

     Following the opening dinner, at 7:00 p.m. this year’s Keynote Speaker, Jakob Trollback was introduced. Trollback, a creative designer and founder of Trollback and Company, shared inspiring words with his audience such as, "Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." Trollback held the audience’s attention by exhibiting some of his designs. I was just as shocked as the audience when Trollback showed some of his designs that I had seen hundreds of times on television: the most recognizable were the logo montages for AMC, TNT, and HBO. On the 1997 film Night Falls on Manhattan, Trollback was the Title Designer. Trollback explained that he got the idea while walking down the street in Manhattan in the early hours of the morning. Trollback hardly spoke as he unveiled the opening title credits of Night Falls on Manhattan. The audience sat in silence as they watched the colors slowly drip down from above like melting candle wax, on the black screen, revealing the Manhattan skyline before the 9/11 attacks. "I could not have dreamt that we would lose two of these buildings," he expressed as the sequence ended capturing the emotions of the audience. Trollback ended his speech with, "how ‘bout that," as the audience applauded.

     After Trollback concluded his inspired design presentation around 8:00 p.m., Festival Director Stephen Imwalle briefly introduced the first night of screenings--and the competition began. All of those who attended were provided with a glimpse of the filmmakers’ visions.

     Wednesday’s films resonated with the jurors. Three films screened during Wednesday night’s Competitive Screenings won one of the monetary prizes and one received an Honorable Mention. Bautismo, an experimental film, was directed by University of Colorado student, Casey Kohler. Bautismo won for Best College/University Experimental/Animation. The Cinefilm Lab Award, $500 in processing as well as the newest prize at the CFVF, the $1,000 award for Excellence in Directing went to University of Texas-Austin student Scott Rice and his ten minute narrative, Perils in Nude Modeling. The independent narrative by Chris Tashima, Day of Independence, received an Honorable Mention for "Hair and Costume". The winner of the Best Independent Experimental/Animation, [Argent Liquide (Cash Flow)], was submitted from Fribourg, Switzerland, by director, Shaun Andrews. [Argent Liquide (Cash Flow)] made its US Premiere at the CFVF.

     Thursday’s events started at 11:00 a.m.. UNCG student Christopher Holmes discussed his film Fence Dogs during the first of three Filmmaker’s Forums held throughout the Festival. At 2:00 p.m., the first of two juror lectures began with an audience of over one hundred people, most of whom were students. Juror Tom Blomquist is most widely recognized for his writing talents on hour long episodic television programs such as Christy, starring Kellie Martin, and Walker Texas Ranger, starring Chuck Norris. Throughout his lecture, Blomquist reminded the audience that, "time is a challenge," especially in the television and film industry. Back in Los Angeles, Blomquist shared in an e-mail on March 25, 2004, "I took a job teaching a screenwriting class at the American Film Institute Conservatory […]. Combined with the workshop I also teach at UCLA one night a week that gives me two teaching days every week, which I enjoy a lot. I'm also preparing TV series ideas for a couple of production companies, in the hopes of writing a pilot this summer."     At 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Academy Award Winner, Stuart Robertson spoke immediately after Blomquist. In 1998, Robertson received his Academy Award for excellence in visual effects for his work on the movie, What Dreams May Come. Robertson worked on approximately twenty-five films since the early 1980s. Robertson’s filmography is quite impressive. Some of the more memorable films would include: The Patriot (2000), The Ghost and the Darkness (1996), Death Becomes Her (1992), Backdraft (1991), Ghost (1990), Back to the Future II (1989), The Abyss (1989), Predator (1987), and Weird Science (1985). Robertson discussed the differences in visual effects now versus when he started in the industry and showed clips of his work from his resume reel. He showed the audience how some of the visual effects from the early 1900s are still in use today, dissolves—live in front of the camera—barely noticeable. Robertson gave the audience the following advice, "Find something you really like to do--even if it is unrewarding--like it enough to do it--whatever it is--that’s what you’ll succeed at. Be visible--follow your own instincts about what you want to do. Do what you really love."

     From 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, the audience watched the winner’s from The Best of the Ottawa International Student Animation Film Festival animated the screen in the Elliott University Center Auditorium. Around 8:45 p.m., Thursday Night’s competitive screening began. The first film to screen, The Champagne Society, received an Honorable Mention for "Screen Story". The twenty minute narrative was directed by North Carolina School of the Arts student, Jonny Gillette. The only film that won a monetary prize on Thursday night was Take It and Like It. Winner of Best College/University Documentary Take It and Like It, was directed by Bret Sigler and Kate Davidson from the University of California at Berkley. Silence, a twenty-three minute narrative, received an Honorable Mention for "Music and Performance". Silence was directed by Mateen O. Kemet, a student from Chapman University. The last film to receive any recognition from the jurors was The Drive North. It received an Honorable Mention for "Directing for Drama". Hampshire College student Tess Ernst directed and stared in the experimental film.

     Friday’s events kicked off at noon, starting with the second Filmmaker’s Forum. American Film Institute student director, Mike Miley, flew from California to kick off the festival tour for his film The Bug Man. Festival Director Stephen Imwalle opened the forum with questions about the AFI film school experience. The Bug Man, a twenty-two minute narrative, had opened the CFVF’s Competitive Screenings on Wednesday night. At 1:00 p.m. on Friday, juror Leanne Campbell spoke about movie making in North Carolina. Campbell is Head of Studio at Blue Ridge Motion Pictures in Asheville, North Carolina. Campbell explained to her audience about how studios fit in the process of making a movie. For example, according to a Blue Ridge Motion Pictures pamphlet Blue Ridge mission is, "To be the production location of choice for the motion picture, television, and sound recording industries by providing unrivaled studio and editorial facilities, equipment, education, and support." Campbell’s background is in business, which proved helpful for her in her journey into the film industry. Campbell offered the following advice to her audience, "You don’t have to know everything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can’t know everything, well--except Einstein, he was pretty good."      Following Leanne’s lecture, UNCG alumnus, David Gatten, presented some of his experimental film work. Gatten currently teaches filmmaking in the Department of Cinema and Photography in Ithaca, New York. At 4:00 p.m., Rebecca Clark, Piedmont Triad Film Commissioner; Bill Arnold, Director of the State Film Commission; Frank Capra Jr., President of EUE/Screen Gems Studios-North Carolina (the largest motion picture studio east of Hollywood); Leanne Campbell, Head of Studio, Blue Ridge Motion Pictures; Chris Bragg, Head of Marketing and Promotions at Carolina Pinnacle Studios, presented a proposed bill for tax incentives for filmmaker’s who film in North Carolina. The NC State Film Commission hopes to put the bill before the North Carolina General Assembly in May 2004. The discussion about the tax incentive issue bounced between the panel and the audience for over two hours. The NC State Film Commission feels it is necessary to provide filmmaker’s tax incentives so North Carolina will not lose films to other states that offer the tax incentive or to foreign countries. Cold Mountain was one example that was given. The tax incentive credit could strengthen North Carolina’s struggling economy with the revenue brought in by this non-traditional industry. Director of the State Film Commission, Bill Arnold pointed out that, "It is a bottom line driven business."

     Starting off the last night of competitive screenings was the High School Finalists’ Screenings at 7:00 p.m.. Two of the three films screened were awarded a prize. Beauty as the Beast, a seven minute narrative directed by Jonathan Diaz from Centennial High School in Alpharetta, Georgia, received an Honorable Mention for "Directing for Comedy." The talented Nick Corirossi wrote, starred in, and directed the film, Friendland, which was awarded the Alberta Ahler Filmmaker Prize.

      At 8:00 p.m. on Friday, the last of the competitive screenings began. The Kodak Award, $1000 worth of Kodak film stock, was awarded to the Best Independent Narrative, Tackle Box, directed by Matthew Mebane. Tech Fall, a twelve minute narrative, written, and produced by North Carolinian Brad Preslar received an Honorable Mention for "Cinematography." Interestingly enough, Tech Fall’s Director of Photography Kenneth Wilson, was also the Cinematographer of last year’s juror and audience favorite, Fudgie and Jane. Fudgie and Jane won the Kodak Award for Best Cinematography and the Best Independent Narrative at the 2003 CFVF. Another international film, Dad’s Dead, received an award. From London, England, the independent film, directed by Chris Shepard received an Honorable Mention for "Editing." The legacy of the civil rights movement in Greensboro, North Carolina, was documented by North Carolina independent filmmaker, Rebecca Cerese; February One won Best Independent Documentary. February One ended the 2004 CFVF’s Competitive Screenings.

     The jurors met early Saturday morning to select the winners. Robertson, Campbell, and Blomquist voted unanimously on all of the selections. Later Saturday evening Blomquist commented, "There was no question […]."

     At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, at the Carolina Theatre, the CFVF recorded its largest attendance in the twenty-seven years of the Festival. Between six hundred and seven hundred children and their families filled the Carolina Theatre for the special larger-than-life screening of Nickelodeon’s Blue’s Clues, and to interact with Animation Director, David Palmer, and Donovan Patton, recognized by most as "Joe". "Joe" introduced the two episodes of Blue’s Clues to his adoring fans of all ages. Palmer and Patton find the "educational elements very important." Palmer explained that he and his coworkers feel strongly the "responsibility to entertain kids and to educate them." Patton added, "The product which is educational is such a great product. […] it’s that easy." Patton was wearing two different socks, "[…] but they are clean socks," is very much like the character he plays. After the screening, Patton took pictures with the children and signed autographs until every child and some adults had their moment to meet "Joe." Palmer gave a brief lesson to the audience of "How to Draw Blue" before autographing the sketches he drew.      At 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, the final Filmmaker’s Forum’s was relocated to the balcony of the Carolina Theatre as Patton and Palmer continued to hang-out with their fans. Brad Preslar (Tech Fall) and Rebecca Cerese (February One) spoke to the primarily student audience. At 2:00 p.m. the staged reading of Ed Devany’s The Minstrel Boy, winner of Scriptwriting Showcase began under the direction of Zora Medor. A special screening of UNCG Broadcasting and Cinema Department faculty member, Tony Fragola’s documentary, Feast of the Dead, immediately followed the staged reading.

     The 27th annual Carolina Film and Video Festival Winners’ Night began at 7:00 p.m. at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. The evening began with an introduction to the evening by Dr. John Lee Jellicorse. The presentation of the North Carolina Distinguished Filmmaker award to Frank Capra, Jr., followed Dr. Jellicorse’s introduction of the jurors, the filmmakers, and the guest speakers. UNCG Broadcasting and Cinema alumna, Francine DeCoursey who currently works in the Wilmington film industry and is a member of the Broadcasting and Cinema Advisory Committee, introduced Frank Capra, Jr.. Long time Greensboro news anchor and Chair of the Broadcasting and Cinema Advisory Committee, Lee Kinard, presented Capra, Jr.,with the honor. Capra seemed shy when he approached the podium to thank everybody for the honor.

       The audience then got to see the winning films, Bautismo, Perils in Nude Modeling, [Argent Liquide (Cash Flow)], Take It and Like It, Friendland, Tackle Box, and February One. Throughout the screenings and Winners’ Night, the jurors, the CFVF crew, and the UNCG faculty, and some audience members mingled in the theatre and the lobby. At the end of the Winners’ Night screenings, awards were handed out to the winning filmmakers in the audience and Festival Director, Stephen Imwalle, invited everyone to go upstairs to the after party. And at midnight, the 27th Annual University of North Carolina at Greensboro Carolina Film and Video Festival ended.

     The Carolina Film and Video Festival is a pioneer in film festivals; and in 2004 as in the twenty-six years before, continued its mission to promote the freedom or artistic expression and imagination.