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.
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.”