UA Graduate Talks About the Local Film Scene...and Beyond
Friday, April 06, 2007
Okay, I know...I have no real good reason to not blog in like 3 months, but I have been busy (like always) working on interviews, footage, and editing podcasts for "The Gene Generation", a cyber punk film that's coming out this Fall.
So I guess going to college is starting to pay off for me, but I still have so much more to learn and the L.A. lifestyle is something to get use to...*cringe. I love the people I met out here...it's the only way I can do my work...working with people I love that is. :). I'm just grateful that I still have reasons to go back to Tucson, visit the UA, and all the friends that have helped me along the way...and still do to this day. There a bunch of people I know that believe in revitalizing the film scene in Tucson. There's probably a whole blog for that later. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this podcast.
The Gene Generation Podcast Episode #1 (With Andy from Combichrist and Pearry Reginald Teo, Director):
TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST (just follow this link):
So when I started college and joined the Air Force ROTC (Reserved Officer Training Corps) program, I never thought I would be into movies and journalism like I am now. I just wanted to make it through college alive, and with a degree. But what I learned after five and a half years of college is that there's no guarantee for a degree unless I really wanted it and stayed motivated. Hoo-rah! (Ah, the ROTC days still linger in the back of my mind.)
I thought that the military would keep me motivated and would keep me busy enough to keep the hair-brained ideas out of my mind. My hair-brained ideas won in the end. I love movies and mass media! I love thinking up scenarios and news ideas in my head. I think of good plot lines when I go to bed. If I did anything else I would be dead...Okay, I thought it was funny that the first two lines rhymed. I just had to add the third one to get the maximum cheese effect.
Five and a half years of school! Phew...And I'm almost done. What I learned is that graduating in four is too short. (20/20 did a report that 5 years is the new 4-year program...since kids have jobs, need to pay off financial aid...yadda yadda.)Although I might be defending myself here, I must say that I wasn't a slacker. I just wanted to try everything in order to shack off any residue of doubt that what I do once I graduate is what I want to do for the rest of my life...Dun,dun,DUN! I start sweating when I think of that dreaded sentence. I knew that I can't do what my parents tell me to do (granted I take suggestions, but I'm an adult. I am! I am! I am!), I couldn't take to heart everything my teachers told me to do (sometimes students can surprise them with new insight), and I can't listen to all the doubts that go swirling around in my head...too tiring.
So what did I do in college? Everything...Everything I wanted to do. Let's see...
Freshman Year
Joined Air Force ROTC -The first day I had to wear my uniform our colonel told us that we couldn't wear them for a while because that day was 9/11/2001. Everyone was scared. We potentially might have been targeted. But us uniform-wearing ROTC kids were fine...the whole nation wasn't.
UATV Floor Manager-The first semester that UATV was given floor space by KUAT (PBS) to do student shows was my Freshman year. I did on-campus news segments and had a blast.
Classic Freshman Year Binge-Partying-Yes. Yes. I partied a lot my Freshman year. But the Navy ROTC cadets made me with all their cool desert bon-fire partying! If you haven't been to one, I highly recommend. Ask who about it? Go where? ...Don't ask, dont tell. :)
Sophomore Year
Gearing up for Camp- I trained hard my sophomore year in order to be in shape for training camp (happens to all ROTC cadets between their Sophomore and Junior year..typically). -So I trained with the Army PT class and got my ass kicked. You'll appreciate a day of rest way more when you run up and down each step of UA stadium within an hour. Sounds easy? Try it!
Camera Glued to Hand- Everything I did my Sophomore year in school, I had to bring my camera along with me. Whether I filmed a campus event, or brought it to the detachment and annoyed the hell out of the captain. I found a good story out of everything!
First Stupid Mistake, but Not the Last- So I got engaged to someone that was going to be in the air force like me when I graduated. Yeah, that didn't happen. What I realized is doing something that seems exciting because you're defying the world, yet not adult enough to tell your parents is a bad thing. Yeah, I really wasn't listening to my instincts on that one. Near Fatal Crash-I got in a really bad wreck. I was hit by a Lincoln Continental (big boat car) head on whilst waiting to make a left turn. Wasn't my fault, but I couldn't finish the semester since I missed a week and a half of school. So one semester of school down the drain. I felt I needed it.
Junior Year
Public Service- I needed a change in my life so I started by making a change in other's peoples lives. I wasn't in ROTC anymore. The car wreck made me realize that I can't plow on and do things perfectly in order like they do in the military...As admirable as that is. I was a much more of a creative person than that. So I logged 900 hours of volunteer service my Junior year by helping troubled youth and over-achieving youth, sticking them together, and watching them miraculously get along and teach each other. Video Nation- I made a lot of short films my junior year in college and I enjoyed every friggin second of it. As for the content? Let's just say that it was experimental. Think Kill Bill, but way, way bad.
The Other Side of the Family-I never met my mom's side of the family before, so I convinced her it was time. So, barely knowing any Spanish, I went to Argentina and had a blast finger gesturing and laughing (whether we understood eachother or not)with family. The experience was like Lost in Translation meets Sideways. I got lost in the undefined beauty in a strange new homeland, yet it was an easy and end enchanting transition for me because I fell in love with the food, people, and landscapes. Many times while sight-seeing I realized that I had to finally put the camera down in order to catch the nuances that is part of real life...not that I wasn't living it before, but I realized then that no souvenir, picture, or thought can capture the vast new expanses of a perfectly natural and rugged landscape. Senior Year
Film for Thought- I volunteered all my weekends to Access Tucson in order to learn everything about control room equipment, hosting skills, and remote truck shoots for charitable events. I got my finger slammed in a three-inch metal video truck door once, but I was so happy as a camera person, I worked the rest of the day...whimpering here and there.
At The Capitol-Interning at the state capitol was a little nerve racking at first. I really didn't want to get on any senator or rep's bad side, but it wasn't hard to do since I was the fly on the wall videotaping all the political proceeding and hearings for various bills and amendments. I put filmed and put together video packages for Legislative Weekly and had a lot of good free meals from lobbyists.
2nd Senior Year-I concentrated more than ever on fine-tuning my writing skills (One day I want to write screenplays), which I never learned in Freshman English. I took various classes like producing and film history classes. I was selected as to be a student producer on UA first 35mm project...Life was starting to make a lot more sense to me. We got a lot of good and new professors last year.
2nd and a Half Senior Year-This semester I know I'm ready to leave. With the skills I've learned in producing (in school and during summer internships) I knew that I want to be a film producer and my healthy hobby will be to produce important news projects whenever I can.
I realize now that if I'm not busy, I'm just sitting on the couch. So I rather be doing something all the time because I feel that laziness is an exponential downward spiral. But that's not the killer of any college graduate hopeful...The killer is loneliness. Whenever I felt down, at first I never reached out for help because I thought I was too needy. But with the support system I have now I realize that I couldn't have made it through college without my friend, family, and foe (they can inspire you too!)
Through many different spiritual journeys (I went to every single holy house in college...I enjoy Buddhism), many different personal obstacles (but I've had many beautiful friendships along the way), and I've had many day and night jobs (every where from boring engineering assistant jobs to gentlemen's club bartender).
The one thing that has been consistent is that I have created a lot of good stories along the way and that I love to document and share everything to anyone who has a caring ear. Go figure, I have been doing what I love all along...I'll worry about making money for it a little bit later. Make sure that it's all good now.
Now watch the final version of the music video I worked on! If you want to know how I got involved read my last October blog!
I had the pleasure to travel to Nogales, AZ last Wednesday before Thanksgiving. At first I was a little cranky about taking the whole trip since I didn't want to get all tired out before Turkey-Day. The result of the trip was that I was so much more thankful for the things I have in my life which is an endless bounty of wealth compared to those who desperatley need to support themselves and their families every day.
When I visited the newly erected wall in the border town of Naco, AZ, my classmates Aaron, Erin, Mike, and myself had the chance to meet Carmen Mercer, who started the minuteman project with President Chris Simcox five years ago.
The reason why I decided to get involved in such a project is, as I stated in my last blog, to be able to report as comprehensively as I can on a very important, national issue. So on top of the interview with Carmen (the later plan is to interview the immigrants at the No More Deaths tent in Nogales, I will put my producing skills to work and put together two videos that will show, quite literally, both sides of the fence.
While stopping for lunch in the beautiful London-ish town of Bisbee, my classmates and I had a chance to ask Mercer several questions in between chowing down on some delicious burgers and pasta. We had no time to try the micro-brews, but in exchange we got a great interview.
CatScan: What is your background?
Mercer: I'm and immigrant from Germany and I recieved my greencard in 1972.
CS: How did you get involved with the minutemen?
M: Well, Chris and I have been friends for several years and after the events during 9/11 I wanted to do my part in securing the nation. PResident Bush stated that after 9/11 we must secure our borders so we're just picking up the slack.
CS: What is the minuteman's job?
M: We are basically extra pairs of eyes and ears on the border for the minutemen. There are a lot of places that have heavy traffic for immigrants and drug trafficking. Often times we pick up people that have been beaten up and/or rapped before they even cross the border. Often times, coyotes or human traffickers will drop people off on the U.S. side and then they have to walk another 100 mile to get to Tucson. After walking for so long, they're just happy to see us or anybody.
CS: Have you ever had to hurt or detain anyone?
M: No. The minutemen have to operate within law which means that we can only report seeing people trying the cross. Over the five year we have been in operation no weapons have ever been used. In the first two years we had people just sit down when they see us because they thought that we could detain them. Then they realized that we could only report them and nothing else so they would often just run right past us.
CS: When do you think the minutemens presence on the border will end?
M: You know, about every six months I asked Chris (Simcox) if we're close to getting what Bush and the government already promised us. A secure border. After two years, you stop asking.
About three weeks ago I went down to Naco, AZ to be a P.A. (basically a gofer) on a second unit shoot for Penn and Teller's Bullshit, a political commentary project that kind of mirrors the Daily Show. When sitting next to the Director of the shoot (let's call him Pike) Pike had me take minutes of everything that we shot and made sure everyone was hydrated. Real fun. But the good part of the whole experience which made me miss the Presidential Inaguration at the UA, is that I felt that no matter if I'm supporting the Left or Right that it was my job to report.
In between shooting, running cables, and writing notes I couldn't help but ask Chris Simcox, the president of the minutemen, a couple of questions. My instinctual journalism side always comes out even if it's not my interview. So, in between tapes I dared ask Chris a question which got me into a lot of trouble with Pike. He pulled me aside and said, "Hey Steph, don't interupt me during an interview." And I was surprised and replied, "Oh, I thought we were in between tapes." Then he said, "I know, but I'm always setting up questions and trying to catch him off guard."
"What do you mean?" I asked. Then Pike explained to me that the whole goal of the show is to make people look stupid so that whoever opposes the minutemen can prove their point. For the rest of the shoot I kept quiet and made sure to only give out water and not questions. Pike was right...I was there to just do my job and get paid $126 for a day of grunt work.
What I got out of the whole experience was that I felt, more than ever, that I had a job to do. Report news in the most comprehensive way possible as a journalism student. It's my job to learn what's out there and share my experiences with an intelligent and eager audience that wants to know the truth as much as I do. The only problem is, the more I work on the Border Issue the more untangible the "truth" is. Not that I don't know what's wrong or right, but rather the many people that have opinions on the issue are all intelligent and have put a lot of thought and emotion into the issue.
So what is my goal for this story? -Not to turn the border issue into a political satire and not to pour my own emotional spin onto an important issue, but to bring journalism back where it belongs and hopefully get the attention of the audience that stopped watching when news stations started fighting. I think people know what I mean.
I am the daughter of a mother that immigrated from Argentina. I'm a recently registered independent when I use to be Democrat. I'm more confused then ever when I watch local news and compare it with worldwide news coverage. I have a sign in my front yard that reads "Humanitarian aid is never a crime." -And I chose to report on someting where, at the very least, in other countries I would get thrown in jail for.
This will be one of many stories that my fellow online journalism classmates will write. We have all made the commitment to report on border issues. All the stories will be unique since it's impossible to write the same exact story since we all write differently, but will have one binding component to this issue...To learn and share everything...the job of any true journalist.
Why would three girls stand in the middle of an abandoned highway? To stop a bad-ass dude in a El Camino, seduce him, and take off with his car...That's why! It's all part of the plot for the new music video entitled "Super Hero Mother-Fucker Superman" which was shot with the collaboration of L.A. and Tucson crew.
So you might ask what does a media arts student do on the weekends? Make movies of course! We have no time to sleep...really, we dont when we're spending 12 hours on a Saturady and Sunday to make a project look good. This past weekend I have had the rare opportunity to help produce and be the 2nd Assistant Director on a music video.
After two weeks of scrambling to secure Old Sonoita highway as the location...The seemingly endless search for models on Model Mayhem (the myspace-type forum for models), and having the port-o-potties sent to the wrong location (Oy Vey!), all and all the video turned out awesome and our team was able to crank out 80 different shots in one weekend!
The music video was made possible by a Director/Producer/Writer friend of mine, Pearry Reginald Teo, who is currently in post-production on his first hollywood feature "The Gene Generation". On the "Allhelluja" (name of the band) music video project he served as the producer and 1st Assistant Director. Chad Michael Ward was the director of the music video who is breaking into the directing business.
It was fun working with Pearry since I got to see first hand how a professional gets a crew to stay on task and gets the project done. Pearry is origionally from Tucson and so was the Director of Photography, Darin Meyer, a UA alum in Media Arts.
Right now the music video is in the editing process, but both Tucson and L.A. crew look forward to seeing the final product of a challenging and fun shoot.
For more information on Pearry and Chad's projects, check out:
Sarah Sher is not only a lyrical story teller and filmmaker with her projects, she is an advocate against human injustice. When she entered her short, "Have Coffin, Will Travel" in the Loft's "Gong Show" and was declared the winner with dubious applause, she humbly accepted the prize... A 100 dollar check and a chance to get her filmed screened before a regular feature at the Loft. Why is she the winner? Well, contrary to my thoughts (from my last blog) on how the "Gong Show" audience only goes for comedies, this time they chose something undeniably captivating, quirky, and endearing...
"...Let the universe create its usual miracles." - Dale Clark
What's the Short About?
On September 11, 2001, eight American children lost their lives because of an act of terrorism. Since that day, approximately eight thousand children of Afghanistan and Iraq have lost their lives as a result of war. Dale Clark, an 83 year old artist and activist from Bisbee, Arizona, respectfully remembers all of these children. With his Children’s Memorial he hitchhikes with a coffin to bring attention to these children. While hitchhiking and pushing the coffin through town, he makes himself vulnerable to stimulate dialog and inspire faith in humanity.
Sarah Sher smiles while declared the best filmmaker for the month of October at the Loft's "Gong Show".
For more information on Sarah Sher and her projects, check out her website at:
Five UA Filmmakers, Four Different Stories, Three Questions, Two Festivals One Goal...To Inspire
Puro Mexicano & Reel Inspiration, which are two different names for a weekend full of short film screening, look for inspiring documentary and narrative films about the good in our world. There's a special "Celebrating Cultural Diversity Award" for the filmmaker who best incorporates cultural heritage and traditions into their story...And this year, it was harder than ever to choose who won with fellow classmates and friends who I know that have made beautiful films.
Before I tell you who won what, check out their entries and star profiles!
JUST COFFEE SYNOPSIS From the coffee fields of Chiapas, Mexico to the urban streets of Douglas, Arizona, this documentary examines a small organization’s desire to alleviate immigration through just priced coffee sales – their effort eventually allowing Mexican natives to reconsider their journey over the border.
FILMMAKER'S BIO Roberto Gudiño is currently attending the University of Arizona where the will receive his B.F.A. in Film and Television Production in 2007. He has written, directed and photographed several short films such as Toy Soldier, Polvo, Have Been, and Share This. Share This was selected for the Damah Film Festival in Culver City, California and No Festival Required in Phoenix, Arizona.
Eli Cordova is currently attending the University of Arizona where he will receive a B.F.A. in Media Arts and B.A. Theatre Arts with an emphasis in directing. He has directed several short films such as Park Bench, A Letter from Vietnam, and Stigma as well as worked several theatre productions such as Scenes from an Execution, Henry IV, and Romeo and Juliet. Eli is currently in production for his senior thesis film.
MARIPOSA CANYON SYNOPSIS Saddened over his mother’s recent death, a young man ventures to the mystical Mariposa Canyon to release her ashes.
FILMMAKER'S BIO Benjamin Daniel Lobato is was a senior Honors student at the University of Arizona. He is a recipient of the SLAVIN Award for Excellence in Media Arts. He also has recieved the Imagen Awards, which honors positive Hispanic portrayals in the media.
2 MEN FROM IRAQ SYNOPSIS This current documentary which was selected for the 2006 Reel Inspiration Film Contest, tells the story of two Iraqi men while living under the rule of Saddam and how they escaped the country.
FILMMAKER'S BIO Justin Mashouf is a fourth year BFA Media Arts student. Justin’s short documentary, Morning Submission, was included on the winner’s reel of the 2005 Pure Inspiration Film Contest. The film has played at screens around Tucson and various community centers. Hi
87 TOPAZ SYNOPSIS A grandson remembers his grandfather's life, his love of cars, and the loss he experienced in his final years as he succumbed to Alzheimer's disease. Personal writings, old photographs, and super 8 home movies are gracefully intertwined with digital video in a meditation on memory, record-keeping, and automobiles.
FILMMAKER'S BIO Bill Kersey was born in Fargo and grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota. He graduated in 2005 from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Media Arts. His award-winning short films have been screened at numerous festivals around North America.
