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Thursday, December c, 1999-Page 14 FEATURES WMC class produces first independent film: Down ERIN HOWARD independent filmmakers, he said. The plan What they did not realize at the time was SeniorWriler location.-With that settled, all 23 of us according to Slade was to "break down the that they would eventually evolve into the When part-time communication profes- myth that you need millions of dollars to tell crowded into the men's bathroom watch the sor Jonathan Slade used the words "big ex- a story." film's two lead actresses, and they certainly filming of OUf first student-written scene. did not expect the twists and turns their fel- periment" and "class project" in the same The black case contained a video cam- low classmates would write for their char- "It was a humbling experience," said sentence on the first day of his American era. He already had the first page of our script acters. McCord of seeing his writing acted out, "be- Independent Film class, all 22 students (my- written and ready to hand out - we would "It was the weirdest role you could give cause they changed around everything I wrote." self included) knew this was not going to be write the rest of the story week by week as a person," says Loiacono of her character's Over the course of the semester five other an ordinary semester. the semester went on. All we needed to get eventual development. "[The character] had students, myself included, had the same odd "The best way to learn is equal parts started were two volunteers to act in the first every possible cheesy problem rolled into theory and equal parts practice," says Slade, scene and a writer for scene two. one." experience of watching their writing turned writ- film. As a result oftheir into part ofthe who used the American Independent Film I would love to tell you that the entire The first night of filming was enough to ing and ideas, the entire class had the expe- course to put that theory to the test this se- prove Slade's theory. Since we were mak- rience of shivering in the cold while watch- mester. we Down makes its ing a "no budget" film we were really forced ing Loiacono crawl out of a first floor ANW Instead of simply watching films, to implement and recognize the type of in- made our own. "I thought it would be a good novations independent filmmakers use to window, crowding into yet another bathroom - or invading this time in Blanche, the sec- idea to watch films, then put those ideas into world premiere complete their projects. ond floor of McDaniel on four separate oc- practice," said Slade, a 1988 WMC gradu- We used handheld camera work - no casions - all in the name of filming a scene. ate who wrote and directed his own inde- steadicam for us. pendent film, Forest/or the Trees. in the Pub on The actors improvised much of their dia- Still, the best part of the film making pro- The result: a 16 minute feature film logue - not enough time for thorough re- cess was watching the scenes after they had been cut and edited together. project titled Down which was written, acted, Dec. 14. Don't hearsal. The director (Slade) played one of Slade, who is a full-time producer at and promoted entirely by students in the the characters - no one else wanted to do Maryland Public Television, used the edit- class. miss it! it. ing suites at MPT to cut and edit the film, This article is a behind-the-scenes ac- Still, despite what at first seemed like count of what it took to turn this offbeat, lackluster conditions, the first night of film- even adding voice over and music to pull the story together. experimental idea into a complete and fully class was jumping out of their seats with ex- ing was also enough to get the entire class The result a film that could have looked developed film project. citement, but the initial reaction to the ex- hooked on the project. "Even if people like a lame home video looks much more We knew something was up on the first periment was, at best, low-key. weren't overtly excited, they came every sophisticated and savvy. day of class when Slade entered the Hill Hall In fact, I sat there dumbfounded at the idea week," says Slade, who adds that the class "There's no kidding anybody," says classroom carrying a small, mysterious black that the course was going to require actual had the highest attendance of any he has ever Slade, "This is really DIY cinema." case and wearing a sly grin. work beyond just watching cool movies like taught. Still, we laughed "This is for the experiment," he said plac- Clerks or Slacker (what can I say, I'm a se- Soon, ideas were flowing - we even had the first really well-cut out loud when we saw version of the film- ing the case on the lectern, and without an- nior). someone willing to write the second scene. I think there was even some clapping. It was other mention of "the experiment," he started Acting in the film meant serious commit- Senior Andrew McCord, who had taken a time for phase two - promoting the film and class. Ushering quickly through the first day ment - no missing class in case your char- screen writing course with Slade, was-the planning the "world premiere." formalities, he moved right into the lecture acter was written into a scene. And writing a first to volunteer. Junior Lindy Rinck created promotional (yes, he gave a full lecture on the firstday of scene for the script meant, well, writing a The second week of class we had to classl). scene for the script. Not many of us had ever "cast" two new male characters and scout fliers in her graphic design class, and George Finally, after two hours of letting us won- done that before. for a location in order to film McCord's Trejullio worked with College Activities in der, he explained what the experiment was: Fortunately, sophomore Danielle scene. order to make arrangements for the world premiere. a class film project that we would begin film- Loiacono and senior Tara Matusheski were Seniors Mike Stokes and Ryan Bowman Now, with the final scenes filmed, we are ing that evening. We would create a film willing to take on the roles of the two char- reluctantly volunteered to be the actors, and waiting nervously for the day of the world mimicking the innovative methods used by acters portrayed in the first page of the script. we settled on a Hill Hall bathroom for our premiere. Spotlight on: WMC music professor Robin Armstrong She has always had an interest in music over-the years, her participation in different RYAN SEAVOLT ing those goals. Asked to describe her in one Sla!fWriter and remembers her tendency as a child to activities has. word, Boudreaux responds with "ground- sing along with everything. One of her recent, new experiences was breaking." What are the odds of finding a job you According to sophomore music/theater playing the title role in the opera, The Me- really enjoy? major Brandi Crawford, who is a student and dium, which was performed on campus in She notes that Armstrong shows up for For WMC's Dr:-Rdbin Armstrong, assis- advisee of hers, it is obvious that Armstrong the spring of 1997. department discussions with suggestions and tant professor in the Music Department, the has a love for music. She has also been in the college choir and is willing to carry her share of the load. Armstrong Overall, feels that music has odds once seemed immense. Crawford describes her teaching style as concert band. Why? "discussion-oriented." Of her first impression of Armstrong, affected her life in many ways, her career She explains that her field has been "very She feels Armstrong is very knowledge- Crawford recalls, "She has a lot of energy!" being one. More importantly, tight" for the past decade. able in music; however, she never seems to What does she do with all that energy? creative outlet that proves she refers to it as "a vital at times you After job-hunting for five years, and hold- resort to "plain old lecturing." In her spare time, Armstrong likes to read even know." ing jobs such as free-lance writing, secre- Armstrong feels that music is an "ex- mystery, science fiction, and fantasy books, don't Just as the writer writes, and the painter tarial, and security positions, she finally tremely valuable educational tool" that en- and of course, listen to music, her favorites paints, Armstrong uses music to release pow- landed ajob that fulfilled her desire to teach hances both language and math skills. being vocal jazz and pop. music at the college level. Boudreaux and Crawford agree that Since she lives on campus, she enjoys erful emotions. While trying to avoid sounding "sappy," Armstrong is extremely dedicated and never walking around town, and on weekends as she put it, Armstrong says, "I really love reluctant to help others. heading to a wooded park to walk for recre- it! You can't get much better than listening. Boudreaux elaborates, saying she is ation. Life affirmative to and talking about something you love." "willing to go the extra mile for things she Although Armstrong feels that her great- sayings to help ring After being hired by Dr. Margaret believes in and [for] people who turn to her est accomplishment in life so far is simply Boudreaux, Music Department chair and di- for support and advice." being alive, she does have several goals. in the new year rector of Choral Activities, Armstrong came Crawford adds, "She has a desire to see In addition to joining an electric bass to WMC and began teaching music history students learn," and "she really cares about ensemble, she would like to both learn and "Insanity is doing the same thing and and literature courses about five years ago. students as individuals." teach about all different kinds of music. expecting differem results" Boudreaux recalls that Armstrong's ex- Recalling one of her early experiences She has taught classical, pop, and West- ---author unknown perience, creativity, and ability to challenge with music, Armstrong said that her brother ern European, and as well as the music of music majors contributed to her decision to taught her to play the guitar when she was Africa, India, Indonesia, Israel, and Arab "Ifyou don ~ risk anything, you risk hire her. eight years old. countries. even more. A California native, Armstrong received The interesting thing about the guitar, she She would like to continue to explore the =Erica long both her bachelor's and master's degrees in says, is that "It is easy to become proficient music of Native America, Asia, China, Ja- Music History at the University of Califor- enough to enjoy in a short amount of time." pan, Korea, Thailand, etc. "In the depths a/winter, I finally nia, Long Beach. Perhaps that is why she began teaching the In short, she says, "I'd like to get to the learned that within me there lay all She then proceeded to the University of guitar when she was in the sixth grade. rest of the world someday!" invincible summer." Michigan to earn her Ph.D. While her job description hasn't changed Indeed, she should have no trouble meet- ---Albert Camus