Thomas and Batt discuss ideas for Batt’s script during filming. / Triangle photo by Anna Katherine Thomas

Anna Katherine Thomas
Photo Editor

After the Broad Street Film Festival last year, students complained and lamented that the event did not live up to past film festivals, but this year the film festival will return to a three-day event, according to Chris Clark, Bryan College’s film professor.

“We are trying to go with that three prong 2012, meaning showings Thursday night, Friday night some kind of educational component for the filmmakers, and then Saturday having the awards night, the formal Oscar-like night,” said Clark.

In 2011, Clark attempted to begin the planning process for the festival with a group of students, but he said only two or three people showed up for the meetings.

At that time, Chattanooga State Community College stepped in and said it would put on a toned down version of the film festival, according to Clark.

With a limited amount of time to put the festival together, Chattanooga State decided to make the event one night, instead of three, with online or on the spot voting.

“I am glad ’11 pared down and ’12 we are ramping back up. The reason I am doing it is because faculty are more involved; the guy at Southern [Adventist University], David George, is involved. The guy at Chatt. State is involved,” said Clark.

With this revamped festival approaching, Clark’s students began the work getting their films ready for submitting.

This past weekend senior Nicole Thomas and former student Derek Batt completed the production phase for two personal films they plan to submit for the film festival, which will take place April 19-21.

Matthew Rogers, a Bryan alumnus, loaned the filmmakers his camera, the EPIC, a product of Red Digital Cinema, to use for their productions. The EPIC is the same camera that Peter Jackson is using to make his film, “The Hobbit.”

Before the shoot, Thomas said, “I can’t believe I am getting this opportunity. I never would have dreamed I would get to work with such an expensive piece of equipment and in school.”

Batt’s film, “Okay.” is about a man being interrogated by death, and Thomas’ “Just a Game,” is based on aspects of her grandfather’s life dealing with racism, according to Clark.

“I just wanted to shoot something that I felt I hadn’t seen before, portrayed in a way that would leave you talking about what really happened after you see it. Is everything just chance?” said Batt. “I have been writing it for a while and, after many drafts, finally came out with it the way I wanted.”

Senior Derek Batt (left) and Professor Chris Clark worked as director and adviser, respectively, on the short film "The Things We Do For Love" / Triangle photo by Cat Rogers

Sebastian Fischer
Sports Writer

A group of students walked through the Bryan College Library last Wednesday night with liquor bottles in their hands – a case for the campus police, you might think. This time however, you would be way off mark.

The spirits were part of the set and props for “The Things We Do For Love,” the latest production of Bryan’s film program.

Shooting the short film was the last on the list for a three-night workshop organized by the head of Bryan College’s film program, led by Assistant Professor Chris Clark. On Sept. 1, 8 and 22 Clark invited local actors, directors and film technicians to campus in order to work with his film students on their short film projects.

Within the scope of his class, Narrative Writing for Film, Clark had his students compose two short film scripts that were then shot and directed in a collaborative effort of students and professionals. Among others, actress Amber Hall and freelance director Cameron Lane, a Bryan alum, worked with the students

“The collaboration between professionals and my students is just what I want,” said Clark. “It’s a perfect way to get our young filmmakers out there, […] to excite them and maybe even overwhelm them with what it takes to produce a film.”

In addition to his script writing class, Clark has his other students involved in the process. His film option majors and minors were included in the production and the “Introduction to Film” class will do the editing.

Clark's film students gather around the set for "The Things We Do for Love" / Triangle photo by Cat Rogers

Sophomore Justin Kelly, who is in both classes, co-wrote the script for another production for the workshop called “Four-Eighty” with junior T.K. King. This film depicts a family that celebrates Thanksgiving in 2012, anticipating the end of the world. The movie will also be submitted to a multicultural Thanksgiving video contest in Chattanooga.

Kelly also did the audio for “Things We Do For Love” and is currently editing the footage for his own script.

“The Things We Do For Love” is a bar scene about a girl being ambushed by a stalker, who reveals to have killed her boyfriend. It is based on a script by seniors Nick Cahill and Jordan Armstrong.

“The best way to learn film is to get thrown into it and get your hands dirty,” Kelly said, delighted about the opportunity to get a hands-on experience in the different steps involved in a film production.

In years past, Clark’s students had just edited existing short films. Now they are involved in the whole process.

As senior Derek Batt, film option major and director of “The Things We Do For Love” said, “[the workshop] is an experience you wouldn’t get sitting in the classroom. We go through every step of the path it takes to make a film.”

Students wandering around campus this week can enjoy the events put on by Hollingsworth's Persuasive Comm Class / Triangle photo by Lana Douglas

Every year at this time, Dr. Randy Hollingsworth’s Persuasive Communication class organizes events for the student body on which they are graded. Over the years, events have ranged from ice cream socials to photo shoots. Last year, students held a black and white movie night and a dodgeball tournament.

This Wednesday, September 7, Pitch-black Pizza and Ping-Pong will be held in the Lion’s Den West.

“Basically, we’re going to black out the windows and play ping-pong while eating pizza,” said Morris. “It will be fun.”

Also involved in Pitch-black Pizza and Ping-Pong are Senior Andrew Wilber, Junior Kristin Fortenberry and Senior Jordan Armstrong. The event will kick off directly following the volleyball game Wednesday night.

Sunday, September 11, Senior Cat Rogers, Sophomore Natalie Masti, Junior Cristina Smith and Junior Jessica Dudley will be hosting a free concert in Mac’s Cafe on the third floor of the Student Center. According to Rogers, headlining musician will be Derek Batt, aka DBatt.

The concert, beginning at 7 p.m., will also feature musician Lizzy Batt. Refreshments will be provided.

“Now it’s time for silly songs with Bryan students,” said Sophomore Tyler Cruver.

This may indeed be the case.

The third and final event for this year will be a karaoke night, hosted by Senior Nate Adams, Sophomore Tyler Cruver, Junior Clari Stewart and Freshman Jorge Gonzalez. On Monday at 8pm, students will meet in Lion’s Den East for karaoke and refreshments.

In a screenshot from King's film "This is the Face", senior actor Derek Batt looks out over a local bridge./Courtesy of junior T.K. King

by Billy Findley
Online Editor

For months it has seemed like the Broad Street Film Festival would be virtually nonexistent this year. The time to raise funds and awareness for the event, plus plan the showings at the Majestic Theater in Chattanooga along with the ostentatious awards ceremony, just seemed too daunting for Bryan College to do alone. However, after a meeting and a series of email exchanges between Chris Clark, assistant professor of communications studies, and Chris Willis, professor of media technology at Chattanooga State Technical Community College (Tenn.), the showings will go on, but there will not be an awards ceremony this year.

“Really it was UTC (University of Tenn.) and Chattanooga State that said, ‘this needs to go on,” Clark said.

While sitting in a meeting at Chattanooga State in February with faculty and some student filmmakers from Chattanooga State, Clark said the collective interest in putting on a festival became apparent.

“Students were at the meeting and they said, ‘man it was awesome last year. We went to the showings, we went to the awards night – we were blown away,’” Clark said.

Unfortunately, the awards ceremony generally takes about nine months of preparation to take place at all, according to Clark. Although there will not be official judges critiquing the films this year, audience members at the Majestic will vote on which film deserves best picture.

Out of 34 submissions, only 16 films made the cut to be in the film showings at the Carmike Majestic 12 in Chattanooga. Four of the 16 selections will represent Bryan College. Other schools represented include Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, Tenn.), Covenant College (Lookout Mt., Ga.), Lee University (Cleveland, Tenn.), University of Tennessee, and Chattanooga State.

The competition more than likely will be fierce. Southern Adventist University will present four films this year. Covenant College also had a film make the final selections.

Despite Southern Adventist’s towering reputation for producing student films, Bryan College filmmakers fared well last year, snagging the People’s Choice Award and the Award for Best Picture.

In addition, four films will be from Chattanooga State, two will be from Lee University and one will be UTC. Junior T.K. King, director of “This is the Face,” said he looks forward to the competition, but, at the very least, he thinks he has grown significantly as a filmmaker in shooting a film for the festival.

“It was my first time ever to use the Adobe Premiere editing software,” King said. “It was also my first time to ever use professional equipment like a nice camera and a boom mike.”

King also said he learned a lot about the process of selecting actors and actresses and filming during late hours of the night.

“Shooting at 3 a.m. is definitely interesting,” King said.

The film showings at the Carmike Majestic 12 will be this Thursday, April 7. Everyone is invited to come, and tickets at the door are $6. For more information about the films selected, visit the Broad Street Film Festival Facebook page.

Senior point guard Demond Craig attempts a move around Virginia Intermont players / Triangle Photo by Catherine Rogers

The Bryan College men’s basketball team hosted the Virginia Intermont College (Bristol, Va.) Cobras last Wednesday in a conference game expected to continue the Lion’s winning streak. The Cobras took the win, 65-61.

Both teams took turns leading during the first half, but the halftime buzzer left the Lions trailing the Cobras, 37-29.

The rest of the game was led by the Cobras until just over five minutes remained on the clock. The two teams fought for the lead for several minutes until the Cobras took a one point lead in the final minute of the game. With 22 seconds left, the Cobras moved to a three point lead. Twelve seconds remained and a Virginia Intermont player hit a free throw putting their lead at four points.

In the final six seconds, the Lions scored a layup, but immediately fouled giving Virginia Intermont two free throws. They scored both shots and won the game.

The Lions top scorer of the night, senior guard Xavierian McCall, scored 16 points. Other key players included senior guard Dominique Clements with 10 points, senior guard Derek Batt with eight points and senior forward Keith Bauer who managed nine points and seven rebounds. Senior forward Astral Guerrier added eight points and 17 rebounds.

The Lions traveled to Milligan College (Elizabethton, Tenn.) Saturday night and lost, 62-47, to the Buffalo’s who are now number one in the NAIA Division II Conference.

The next game for the Lions will be against Reinhardt University (Waleska, Ga.) at home this Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm.

[Gallery photos by Catherine Rogers]

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The Bryan College Men’s Basketball Team hosted Maryville (Tenn.) College Monday night, winning their last nonconference game of the season, 79-73, and putting their winning streak total at ten in the last 11 games.

“Maryville was a big game, but every game is big now,” said senior guard Derek Batt. “Maryville is extremely talented and beat us at our last meeting, but we are on a mission this season.”

Senior forward Astral Guerrier reaches for the ball in Monday's game against Maryville College / Triangle photo by Catherine Rogers

Speaking about the Lions’ mission, senior point guard Demond Craig said that this game was no different than any other game.

“We must win every time we step on the court,” he said.

In the first half, the Lions and Scots fought incessantly for the lead, but by halftime the Lions had claimed their place, going into the locker rooms with a leading score of 34-29.

The second half saw Maryville challenge the Lions, tying the score and then taking turns with the lead until just over nine minutes were left on the clock. The Lions held the lead until the final buzzer.

Senior forward Scott Newton had a “monster performance,” according to Craig, finishing the game with a season high 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Other key players of the night included senior guard Dominique Clements, who scored 13 points, and senior forward Astral Guerrier, who had a double-double and added 14 points and 12 rebounds

“The team is doing great and I am proud to be a member of it,” said Craig. “This year feels like a special year for Bryan College basketball.”

This week the Lions moved up to rank number 23 in the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. They host their next game against Virginia Intermont College (Bristol, Va.) tonight at 7:30pm.

[Gallery photos by Catherine Rogers]

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In their final game of the season, the Lions basketball team defeated the University of Virginia College at Wise 85 – 69 Saturday night. This victory places the team in a four- way tie for first place in the AAC. This is the first time the men’s varsity basketball team has achieved this status since 2000.

Photo by Billy Findley

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Junior point guard Demond Craig drives toward the basket. Craig tied his career high of eight assists Saturday night.

UVA-Wise was one game ahead of Bryan going into the game, but, after what Head Coach Don Rekoske said was one of the best team efforts he’s seen in his six years of coaching at Bryan, the Lions closed the season not only in a tie for first place but with the best overall record in the conference.

“This win justifies a season full of hard work,” said junior forward Keith Bauer.

The gym was filled to capacity, and the noise of the fans, both from Bryan and UVA-Wise, vibrated the rafters.

What junior guard Xavierian McCall described as a combination of nerves and apprehensiveness caused the Lions to falter somewhat in the first half. The Lions left the half, trailing 32 – 31.

“We knew we could give a better performance,” McCall said.

With junior forward Keith Bauer fighting through a substantial shoulder injury (he was injected with pain medicine shortly before the game started) and UVA-Wise desperate to defend their first-place ranking, a breakthrough on the Lions part hardly seemed probable, according to Rekoske.

“I honestly thought the game was going to go down to the wire,” Rekoske said.

However, upon returning from the locker room, it seemed a shock of adrenaline had pervaded the Lions. After quickly scoring the first three baskets of the second half, the team caught a wave of momentum that was unstoppable.

With just over two minutes left in the game, the Lions extended their lead to 21 points and went on to finish with an 85 – 69 victory.

Junior forward Scott Newton finished the game with a career high 32 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard/forward Derek Batt finished with a career high 21 points, and junior point guard Demond Craig tied his career high of eight assists.

“We set our goals at the beginning of the season, and, one game at a time, we achieved those goals,” said McCall.

Bryan’s post-season tournament begins this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. here at Bryan. Their first opponent will be Reinhardt College (Waleska, Va.), which is ranked sixth in the conference and finished this season with a 9 – 7 record in the AAC. The team’s top scorer is #17 Will Lewis, who averages just under 15 points a game.

Junior forward Scott Newton launches a hook shot over defenders. Newton had a career high 32 points against UVA-Wise Saturday night.

While the competition will be fierce, both Rekoske and the rest of the team have high expectations.

“Anything other than first place is going to be a disappointment,” Bauer said.

The Bryan College men’s basketball team is gearing up for the season with new recruits and returning players led by Head Coach Don Rekoske and New Assistant Coach Kyle Terry.

Terry graduated from Bryan last year and played under Rekoske. He has been named Rekoske’s assistant coach for the 2009-2010 season. In his senior year Terry shot 39.6 percent from behind the arc and hit a career high of seven three-pointers in one game. Along with being named Academic-All Conference for three years, Terry was also Academic All-American for his junior and senior years.

“He brings a good understanding of the program and already has the entire team’s respect in the locker room,” said Rekoske.

Last year the team finished 14-15 overall and 9-10 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. The team has already started its preseason and is getting ready for the regular season.

“Preseason has gone well for us, and everyone is working hard,” said Rekoske.

There are four new players joining the team this year: two transfers and two freshmen.

Keith Bauer, a junior transfer from Roane State Community College (Harriman, Tenn.), who brings toughness to the team, can guard multiple positions and averaged 12 points per game last year, according to Rekoske.

Astral Guerrier, a sophomore transfer from Volunteer State Community College (Gallatin, Tenn.), is “extremely athletic, [has] good skill, and plays hard with a big motor,” said Rekoske. Guerrier averaged 11 points per game for Volunteer State.

Freshman Tyler Clark, who is “very skilled offensively,” comes from Oak Ridge High School (El Dorado Hills, Calif.). Rekoske expects him to help the team this year at both the two guard and the point positions.

Also, freshman Carrin Nash’s “length at the three will really help him. He can play both inside and out for us this year,” Rekoske said.

The five returning players for this year are sophomore Xavarien McCall, juniors Scott Newton, Demond Craig and Derek Batt and senior Andrew Slikker.

Team captain Newton, second-team All Conference, averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game last year for the Lions.

“He put on 15 pounds of muscle and should be even better this year,” Rekoske said about Newton.

McCall averaged 12 points per game and four assists at the end of last year.

“[McCall] had a good off-season even though he had patella knee surgery,” said Rekoske.

Craig is a “good defender” and averaged seven points per game.

Batt “plays with energy and could be an excellent defender this year. He has improved his offensive skills and had a knee injury last year that affected him,” said Rekoske.

Another team captain, Slikker “should provide leadership and is an extremely hard worker,” said Rekoske. “This should be his best year for us.”

“Our impact player is, obviously, Scott Newton since he is probably one of the top two or three returners in the league this year,” said Rekoske. “We are also looking to Xavarien to have a big year along with our two transfers Keith Bowers and Astral Guerrier.”

The first home game will be on Oct. 29 against Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at 7:30 p.m.

“The conference should be wide open and very balanced this year, and we are looking forward to getting started with practice,” said Rekoske. “We should be improved this year since we have more talent as long as we mesh together well.”