the open frame film fest blog

Congratulations!!!

2012-01-25T21:03:00.000-05:00

Congratulations, Corinne Abbiss and Laura Fawks -- you're the first (current) Malone Film Students to successfully complete a KICKSTARTER project!

Check out their cool cool project here.

Glenoak Film Fest Opportunity

2012-01-24T17:32:00.000-05:00

The 2012 GlenOak 5 Minute Film Festival is right around the corner. We'd like to invite you and your students to enter the contest. All the details are posted at the festival website.

There are several important changes this year that we hope will make the festival even better.

1)No Entry Fees - We're going to scale back a bit on prizes and trophies and we've decided to waive the fee. Students may submit as many entries as they'd like at no cost.
2)Specific Categories - students will select and compete in 3 categories.
3)2 weeks to complete movies - this year the contest will last for 2 weeks. This should help more students complete their films and should ease conflicts for college students and avoid spring break and other issues that might arise.
4)Teachers - By request of several of our teachers - this year we'll feature films produced by teachers and staff members - should be fun and I hope several of you will give it a shot.
5)Projects submitted to dvd. This should help us avoid file compatibility issues which prevented us from playing one of the college submissions last year.

Contest will begin on January 30th when the prompts will be released on the web site and all films must be submitted before 6pm on February 10th.

Grant Contest Deadline Extended

2011-11-29T17:45:00.000-05:00

Because the added step of creating a KICKSTARTER project does demand time and effort -- and because students are nearing the end of the semester -- we're postponing the Grant Deadline til next Friday, December 9th at midnight.

Please touch base with Andrew Rudd if you have a grant application in progress.

Announcing the new Kickstarter Initiative

2011-11-12T11:54:00.001-05:00

Are you making a film for the Open Frame Film Fest this year? If so, you're probably eligible for a production grant (or mini-grant) from the Communication Arts Department.

We've moved our grant request deadline to November 30th at midnight, so there's still time for you to apply.

Because there are so many (meritorious) films in the mix this year already, we’re planning on funding projects ranging from $100 mini-grants to (potentially) $1000 grants. This year, the Open Frame Film Fest will fund projects based on similar criteria to previous years.

This year, we are asking students to pitch their projects to us by making their own KICKSTARTER projects. The amount of funding you request from the Communication Arts Department grant should only be HALF (or less) of the total funds you try to raise for your kickstarter project.

Whether or not your kickstarter project is successfully funded will NOT affect your funding from our department, but in order to apply for funding at all, you MUST prepare and submit a kickstarter project.

We believe that crowd-sourcing and developing an audience for your short film across the lifecycle of your production process will be an important part of media production regardless of context in the new-media environment where we live, so we view this new step in pre-production to be a key part of your educational experience.

So get started! Review the criteria we'll use to judge the projects, check out a bunch of kickstarter pages (you may want to check out indiegogo pages too, though we recommend kickstarter because of their fee structure) , and then go ahead and make your own.

Production mini-grant and grant applications will be due on November 30th by midnight.

Criteria for Judging the Open Frame Grant Project

2011-11-12T11:04:00.000-05:00

To be funded, a film project must meet the following criteria:

1. The film must be submitted to the Open Frame Film Festival. Receipts will be paid out upon submission of the final film.
2. All expenses must be approved beforehand (in budget form) by Open Frame director, Andrew Rudd.
3. Reimbursement may only occur with a receipt.
4. Grant applications will not exceed $1000.
4. only 30% of a film’s budget may be spent on food / craft-services.
5. only 30% of a film’s budget may be spent on props or costumes (exceptions can be made in the case of period films).
6. only 30% of a film’s budget may be spent on gasoline.
7. up to 100% of a film’s budget may be spent on payment to professional crew or equipment rental.
8. Only films with at least three Malone students involved in key roles are eligible for funding.

Grants will be awarded based on these criteria, and priority will be given based upon these additional criteria: ;

This film and production will exemplify the Malone University Mission (and Foundational Principles) and the Mission of the Communication Arts Department.

This film script and production proposal demonstrates excellent creativity and vision.

This film will allow a very significant number of Malone students to gain filmmaking experience and contribute to their learning experiences.

*in cases when other factors are relatively equal, upperclass students will have a slight advantage over lower. In such cases, seniors would have the most advantage.

The grant selection committee will include Communication Arts Faculty members, Faculty members from other departments on campus, alumni and community filmmakers.

Because we recognize that the kickstarter audience is necessarily broader than the Communication Arts Department and Malone University, you may submit a one page explanation of how your film’s process and product will exemplify Malone’s (& the Communication Arts Department’s) mission. Otherwise the materials for your grant application should be embedded in your kickstarter page.

2011-09-20T17:48:00.000-04:00

With fifteen alumni volunteering their time and expertise, and nine short film scripts, the 2011 Open Frame Script Competition was off to a great start last week.

I spoke with several of the alumni over the week who expressed how enjoyable it was to read the scripts and how some of the returning judges noticed an improvement in the overall quality of the scripts.

Once all the scores were submitted, six of the top scripts were within two quality points from each other. And....against the odds the winner....?

Was a tie.

With this many judges giving this much feedback, there's no need to break the tie, we'll just award TWO Open Frame screenplay awards this year.

CONGRATULATIONS to

Corinne Abbiss for SILHOUETTES

and to

David Garwood for FAMILY PORTRAIT.

Your scripts are our winners this year.

Next up? Pre-production begins. HOPEFULLY all of these quality scripts will go into production and be showing at the Palace Theatre in April of this coming year.

And hopefully we'll see all of you, web readers at that event, watching these scripts in their final cinematic form.

Student Film Shooting in Canton: looking for cast & crew...

2011-07-20T08:16:00.003-04:00

Nate Merritt, Trey Duplain, and Santino Vitale are looking to fill roles for their upcoming short student film; Nate is a sophomore Communications/Film major at Malone University, Trey is a junior English major at Walsh University, and Santino is a burgeoning stop-motion animator (who is still in high school).

The film revolves around Steven, an apprehensive therapist with relationship problems and interesting patients, including a suicidal ice cream truck driver and a man who is sexually-attracted to cartoon rabbits. Steven’s insecurities are rooted in his own psychological issues: he is haunted by hallucinations of a womanizing, cigar-smoking hamster. His problems with women begin to resurface when an attractive female patient steps into his office.
We will be submitting the film to the Canton Film Festival at the beginning of September, so this is an urgent casting call; we will also submit it to the Open Frame Film Festival and other film festivals in the future.

Because of our lack of budget, this is a passion project and the acting will be on a pro-bono basis. Of course, food will be provided on-set and anyone acting will be allowed to use footage for their reel. Filming will take place in the Canton area in early August. We will gladly send a copy of the script upon request, and film reels will be accepted in place of auditions.

We are still casting multiple roles:
-The protagonist, a timid and socially inept 30-something therapist, STEVEN. His waning confidence leads him to seeing a therapist of his own. He also suffers from hallucinations that are brought on by his deceased father’s expectations of hyper-masculinity. Steven is a high-brow bachelor with kind and gentle demeanor.

-A manic pixie dream-girl in her late-twenties to early-thirties, MADELEINE, frequently visits therapists in search of the answer to a problem she cannot define. Her determination to reach the inner layers of her psyche leads her to Steven’s office where her unique sense of style and her own uncertainties catch Steven’s eye. Madeleine is an eclectic blend of fun and sophistication, a combination of Audrey Hepburn and Zooey Deschanel.

-A greying, reformed hippie in her 50’s, DIANE, serves as Steven’s therapist. Though her earthy decor and plethora of pillows makes her look like a witch doctor, her methods of practice are far less savage than chants and shrunken heads. Diane is genuinely concerned with the mental health of her patients.

-An overweight, cigar-smoking patriarch with a sausage-stained wife-beater, STEVEN’S FATHER, is a blue-collar, foul-mouthed bully from Brooklyn in his mid-forties. He is angered by Steven’s inability to live up to his expectations and pressures him to pursue women “like a man.” His poor health is sending him to an early grave. This role takes place during the flashback scene, but would also serve as the voice of TONY, a hamster that personifies Steven’s father and haunts Steven.

-A gawky adolescent around 17, YOUNG STEVEN, lives in fear of his emotionally-abusive father. He only enjoys sitting in his room, playing with his pet hamster. Young Steven is only in the flashback scene.

-A suicidal ice cream truck driver, WILLIE, is under the pressure of his mother to continue on the family business. He is one of Steven’s patients. Willie is a lanky man who is torn between having to endure listening to “the Entertainer” day after day and exchanging money with grubby children or breaking his mother’s heart.

We’re also looking for an editor and a DP. As is the case with the actors, any work done would be pro bono as we have a $0 budget, but we'll definitely feed you and let you use whatever you want for your reel. And if we ever make any kind of profit from it (which we are not expecting to), we would give you a share. We were hoping to film as soon as possible, as our goal is to submit it to this year’s Canton Film Festival (the deadline is 1 September). I’d gladly send you the script so you can look it over and see if this is something you’d be interested in working on.

if you're interested you should email Nate at nemerritt1 at malone dot edu

Script Competition 2011

2011-07-11T09:07:00.004-04:00

This year the Communication Arts Department will sponsor a script writing contest to find one script that might be developed into a festival-ready short film of the highest caliber. All scripts submitted to the contest will be reviewed by five qualified judges. Writers will receive feedback both in the form of narrative comments and rankings based on the various criteria. Any script with an overall ranking of SUPERIOR will be eligible for the narrative departmentally sponsored film. The top script (regardless of whether it is chosen to be produced) will receive an OPEN FRAME AWARD at this year’s festival event.

Scripts may be in any genre. Fresh innovative stories told in a cinematic way are best. Scripts may range from one minute to sixteen minutes (one minute = on page in screenplay format). Scripts must be submitted in standard screenplay format. Scripts MUST include a title page, but may NOT include the authors name.

You should submit your script by email to Andrew Rudd at his Malone email address and your script should be in PDF format. Again, with a title, but NO authorial name. In the email you attach your script to, you should list your name, phone number, and the script name.

Scripts are due on September 12th, 2011 at 8 am. Contest winners will be announced on September 20th at 5 pm on the Open Frame Blog.

Getting Ready for NEXT YEAR!

2011-07-11T09:04:00.004-04:00

I'm pleased to announce the timeline of next year's Open Frame.

You'll notice that we're taking a year off from sponsoring Indie Film Workshops -- but only because we want to support our partner organizations nearby who are providing great similar resources.

Watch for more posts in the coming days regarding each event and contest and its deadlines.

Open Frame Orientation -- Monday, September 5th at 7 p.m.

Script Competition Deadline -- September 12th 8 a.m.

Announcement of Script Winners -- September 20th at 5 pm

Mini - Grant Deadline -- October 3rd 8 a.m.

Partner Event: Akron Film & Pixel Festival -- October 6 - 9th

Partner Event: Canton Film Fest -- October 13 - 15th

Announcement of Mini-Grant Winners -- October 15th 5 pm

Submissions to the Festival Deadline -- April 5th, 9 a.m.

The OFFF Festival -- Saturday, April 14th at 8 pm

Also keep an eye out for exciting announcements about a new venue this year.

Feature Film in New Philly, Ohio

2011-06-07T15:30:00.001-04:00

Open casting call for a feature film being shot in and around Tuscarawas County. All ages and types. No experience necessary.

WHERE
Performing Arts Center
Kent State Tuscarawas
330 University Drive NE
New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663
http://www.tusc.kent.edu/

WHEN
Sunday, June 26, Noon – 6 p.m.
Monday, June 27, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

HOW
Just show up. No appointment necessary. Be sure to bring a current photo.

FILM INFO
Title: Old Fashioned
Genre: Romantic-comedy
Rating: PG (expected)
Log-line: A former frat boy and a free-spirited woman together attempt the impossible: an “old-fashioned” courtship in contemporary America.

*** Ever want to be in a movie? This is your chance! Read more below…

Skoche Films has announced an “open” Ohio casting call for the upcoming feature film, “Old Fashioned,” which will be shooting in Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas this fall. In addition to casting sessions for professional actors being held around the country, the production wanted to offer local residents (with or without acting experience) a shot at stardom and has scheduled two special casting sessions on June 26 & 27 at the Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas.

“There is a lot of great natural acting talent that never gets the chance to shine,” said Ohio native Rik Swartzwelder, the film’s writer-director. “This is that chance. We’re thrilled to give Ohio residents the opportunity to audition. There is an authenticity to the people here that just cannot be ‘faked.’ I’m very optimistic about what we may discover and fully expect to cast some roles as a result,” added Swartzwelder, who now lives in Los Angeles but was actually raised in New Philadelphia and is a graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School.

All ages and types are encouraged to apply and should have a current photo to bring to the audition. Previous acting experience is a plus, but not required. No appointment is necessary.

On Sunday, June 26, auditions will be held from noon – 6:00pm. On Monday, June 27, auditions will be held from 3:00 p.m. – 9:00pm. Both sessions will be hosted by The Performing Arts Center at Kent State Tuscarawas, located at 330 University Dr. NE in New Philadelphia.

For interested locals that would like to be involved behind the camera or help with the production in other ways, official calls for crew, volunteers, and community partners are forthcoming. For more info, contact oldfashionedmovie@gmail.com or call 330-602-2420, ext. 220. For updates and links to the “Old Fashioned” Facebook page and film production blog, visit www.oldfashionedmovie.com.

Filming of “Old Fashioned” is expected to begin in late September and will wrap in early November. Limited pre-production activities, including location scouting and casting, are already under way.

A romantic-comedy, “Old Fashioned” centers on Clay Walsh, a former frat boy in his mid-30s, who gives up his reckless carousing and now runs an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town. There, he has become notorious for his lofty and out-dated theories on love and romance. When Amber Hewson, a free-spirited young woman with a gypsy soul, drifts into the area and rents the apartment above his shop, she finds herself surprisingly drawn to his noble ideas, which are new and intriguing to her. And Clay, though he tries to fight and deny it, simply cannot resist being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life. Ultimately, Clay must step out from behind his relational theories and Amber must overcome her own fears and deep wounds as the two of them, together, attempt the impossible: an “old-fashioned” courtship in contemporary America.

Skoche Films of Burbank, California, the company producing “Old Fashioned,” has multiple active feature projects in various stages of development. “Old Fashioned” marks the first of the company’s slate to move into production and is the feature-film directorial debut of Swartzwelder, who is a veteran director of numerous acclaimed short films.

Swartzwelder is a writer-director-producer whose films have screened at over 145 film festivals worldwide and garnered over 50 major awards, including a Crystal Heart Award (Heartland Film Festival) and a Best Ohio Short Film Award (Cleveland International Film Festival) for his 35mm short “The Least of These” and the Student Emmy for his highly acclaimed graduate thesis film, “Paul McCall.” Other honors include two CINE Golden Eagles plus one CINE Special Jury Award, four ITVA-DC Peer Awards, and the Sprint PCS Filmmaker of the Future Award.

T Shirts For Sale!

2011-04-21T17:33:00.001-04:00

Check out the Open Frame facebook page to find out about ordering T-shirts --->

You can also pre-order discs from this year's Open Frame. Contact Kerrie Evans at Malone University.

Hidden Liabilities Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T16:12:00.000-04:00

HIDDEN LIABILITIES

We started working on this project immediately after last year’s film festival. Our experience last year working on Benedict Sexton was extremely enjoyable, so we figured we ought to make another short. The first idea we developed related to film noir. The film noir genre, especially from the 40s and 50s, make up some of our favorite films, so we wanted to see if we had enough talent to create a similar film. The reason this genre interests us is that it is distinct from other styles of filmmaking with its exaggerated reproduction of life through a dark perspective. There is something about this way of viewing the world that resonates within each of us.

"The most difficult aspect of creating a film noir work is writing the story, especially when it is supposed to be a short film. Short films already take an incredible amount of skill to write well, so a hard-boiled crime story is a good bit tougher. Hopefully we have succeeded with this script; however, we are aware that we do not compare to Dashiell Hammett or Raymond Chandler.

"In making this film, we hoped to push ourselves as directors and writers. We wanted to learn from the many mistakes we made in our previous attempts at filmmaking and to give ourselves many more opportunities to learn. There were many struggles throughout the process, but we have gained valuable instruction in the areas of organization, collaboration, and assertiveness.

"The greatest thing we can offer the audience is a view into the lives of the characters, to show the world through their perspectives so that the audience may see the world in a new light. Perhaps we can also encourage everyone to watch film noir pieces, which account for a significant percentage of the greatest films of all time."

Dusty Jenkins and Michael Popp, Co-Directors

Reel Life Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T16:10:00.001-04:00

REEL LIFE

Reel Life is a film inspired by the mentality of three slackers as they are faced with a proposition that could inevitably end in a student’s worse nightmare: failing out. Although the film has no direct correlation to us as the creators we felt it would be an interesting twist to try to incorporate multiple ideas into one film. The premise of the film simply arose from our everyday discussions about what type, or genre, we should enter into the film festival. Our inspiration for creating Reel Life came naturally to us because it used what we were good at: coming up with ideas and not necessarily picking one. We constructed tens and tens of movie ideas, but there was always one of us who just didn’t not believe the proposal was adequate. Therefore the film was very simple: create a film about the concepts we think about, and then after each one rip each others ideas apart ruthlessly. As we began to brainstorm we had a sudden realization that in fact the most superlative idea would be to combine the different options into one film, and basically document the journey of how it is we came to our final decision.

The process was difficult. Three different minds with fairly distinct ideas made the process longer than expected and at some points very trying mentally and physically, but the excitement and enjoyment every day on set was well worth it. None of us had very much knowledge about the process of filmmaking nor had we been involved with film production, however through the development of the project we began to understand, respect, and appreciate the effort it takes to bring a creation, from just a concept to and on-screen production, into fruition. We approached our film in an unusual manner because we wanted to investigate what creating a film would be like if we shot, came up with ideas, and constructed as we went. Overall our experience with this filmmaking process was exactly what we were hoping for; to entertain ourselves while trying to create something that would entertain those who watch.

Matt Kiel,

Co-Director

The Memories Within Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

THE MEMORIES WITHIN

Sometimes I wish moments could last forever, and that I could live in that moment for just a little bit longer than what it actually lasts. Then I am snapped back into reality, and the stresses of my life come crashing back into my consciousness. Other moments and memories I wish I could erase. They are too painful to deal with. I am a very emotional person, which makes it hard for me to deal with my emotions. I end up holding things in and pushing them aside. I allow myself to live a lie. If I don’t think about something, maybe it didn’t happen. But I can only live this lie until something jolts it back into my memory and I can no longer hide from it. I have to face it. And deal with it. And my emotions explode, uncontrollably. With time, the painful moments lose their power and it is the happy and carefree moments that I try to cling onto.

For Reuben, objects hold memories in this film. His story is told through flashbacks, as he picks up objects and is bombarded by the memories he tried to forget. He is, in a sense, reliving these moments of his life at the flea market. For this reason, I choose to leave the flashbacks in color as opposed to black and white. By the end of the film, Reuben is changed only because these memories came flooding back at him all at once. Memories affect a person from within. Memories shape how we act and react. It creates and molds character. Memories influence how we see the world, how we see strangers, and how we see objects. How we see everything. Our past is forever clinging to us.

corinne abbiss, director

One Small Candle Artistic Statment

2011-04-18T16:04:00.000-04:00

ONE SMALL CANDLE

One Small Candle is the collaboration of footage done over three missions trips to Native American reservations in New York, Florida, Arizona, and South Dakota. When I went on a trip to a native reservation in March of 2010, I was awakened to many problems that i knew were widely overlooked. I've made some awesome friends on these reservations, and I hope to be back soon. I'm not much of a film maker, but I felt God telling me to empty my life savings to buy a video camera. So that's what happened. I'm hoping to start a missions organization around the concept of going to reservations to socialize more than evangelize, and to truly attempt to love the Native Americans instead of pushing ultimatums on them.

This film was difficult for many reasons. First, planning fruitful missions trips while being a full time college student and trying to pay my bills. Secondly, Native Americans are extremely camera shy for many good reasons. Many people have pretended they were helping or doing a service in some way, but many of them end up making films or news reports on Native Americans that only show the negative side of everything on the reservation. So naturally, it’s difficult for them to trust us. I was also using a DSLR camera, primarily used for taking pictures. I’m also not an experienced videographer/director or filmmaker by any means. So filming and editing was quite a learning experience!

I really hope this film changes the world. I want so badly for Native Americans to be loved, and not viewed as such a fringe of society or second class citizens. In the bible, there’s talk about the importance of healing our land, and I believe this reconciliation is an important part of the process..

steven berkenkemper,

director

Customer Satisfaction Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T16:02:00.001-04:00

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

When Erin Chilensky and I first came up with the idea for Customer Satisfaction, we were poking fun at ourselves. There have been so many times in our friendship that I have told her that someone did something horrible to me, only to have her respond skeptically, “I don’t think that really happened like that.” She was usually right. The “slight” against me was a result of my perception of events, and not an accurate representation of them. In Customer Satisfaction, I wanted to explore what it would be like for a person to be so wrapped up in her own little world that it would be difficult for her to recognize what other people were feeling and seeing, or even what effect her actions had upon others.

The process of making the film was amazing. It was the first time I have worked closely on a film project with non-students, and I think their enthusiasm inspired me and definitely made this film what it is. It’s more or less a workplace comedy, and so the characters are, for the most part, caricatures of people you have no doubt encountered, especially if you have ever worked retail. At the same time, this isn’t a film about the workplace as much as it is a film about the brief encounters we have with others in that kind of environment.

And so, when you’re watching this film, I hope that you laugh. I hope that you find the characters a little absurd. But I hope that you won’t be too hard on poor Ledell, who is secretly me, and is secretly Erin, and is secretly all of us at some point in our lives, whether we like it or not.

taylor hazlett, director

Push Tags Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T15:59:00.000-04:00

PUSH TAGS

Push Tags is a documentary that allows the audience a glimpse into the life of a local, young, and upcoming graffiti artist who explains his art, expectations, and ambitions. I started filming Push Tags back in February as I would hear about local areas that contained Push’s street art. Never knowing exactly how long Push’s art would remain in the street, I had to document his work soon or it may be removed and lost forever. Then in March, I became a part of the action as I spent an evening helping to create the art and then ultimately traveling through the Canton night scene documenting the graffiti process. After a short confrontation with Local Police Officials at our second location, the intensity, and anxieties of the process grew greater. However, the evening withheld from any further surprises, and left me with a night I would never forget. Later, I conducted an interview with Push to use as a voice over and story line, and ended the filming process with hours of editing the material.

As a film maker, I am trying to encourage the audience to become more open to the idea of graffiti. I want to show that graffiti is not an act of vandalism or defacing public property, but instead an expression of an artist. Graffiti is far greater then the street art. It is about the messages that the artists are trying to convey, and also the artists themselves. It’s difficult to “Stay Up” as an artist or in everyday life, and the best is yet to come is the message I want to convey.

ryan barnett, director

Mansfield Artistic Statment

2011-04-18T15:57:00.000-04:00

mansfield

Mansfield, a loose adaptation of the Jane Austen novel Mansfield Park, tells the story of how protagonist Fray Price deals with an unexpected and discouraging surprise during her spring break. As she spends the time writing music with her friend, Ed Bertram, she finds she isn't entirely on her own.

In order to develop the novel into a screenplay, many details had to be cut. In doing this, the script raised a question pertinent to any of Austen’s novels – when the romance is removed, what do we have left? As the excess was stripped away, the film ends up presenting an answer to one of the lesser conflicts found in the original novel – how to cope with loneliness.

In making the film, I wanted to convey the relationships Fray has with the people in her life. She is extremely tight with her brother, casual with Ed, and uneasy with Henry. While Fray may seem like a 'shadow' to Ed as she tries to adapt to living in Mansfield, she is affected by these relationships and learns to grow as a person because of them.

I hope you get a sense of the nuances found in Austen’s work through a more updated and easily-relatable perspective. “Dramedy” is personally my favorite storytelling genre because of its tendency to be "true to life;" conveying both the sincerity and humor in one's situation. I hope you find the blend of emotion and lightheartedness that the actors brought to the film an appealing aspect.

Working on this film was a truly a great experience, and I, along with the rest of the Mansfield cast and crew, hope you enjoy.

Kristin Rayz,

Director

Never a Bride Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T15:55:00.000-04:00

never a bride

Many horror films deal with dark subject matter. Whether it is a young girl possessed by an evil spirit or a psychopath wearing a leather mask and wielding a chainsaw, the outcome is usually a dark, chilling, and sometimes gruesome experience that the viewer might recall the next time they walk into a dark hallway or their car breaks down on a dark country road. Horror films have the ability to instill a sense of fear in the viewer both during the film and sometimes long after the credits have rolled.

Never a Bride is no exception. The film is about how the roles of good and evil realistically play out in human nature. Each character in the film has two sides to them that are revealed as the film progresses. This is especially true for the central antagonist who physically changes his appearance and seemingly becomes a different person. I see the antagonist as only one person, however, that has both good and evil churning within him, living from moment to moment never knowing what side of the coin he, or she, will be on.

Evil manifests itself in the most unlikely of places, a lonely bed and breakfast owner and a priest. Evil and wickedness are real, and horrible things occur every day. As I strive to be an agent of truth, I believe that is important to shed a light on the wickedness in this world, even if it comes from a friendly business owner or a revered man of God. George Romero, director of zombie classics like The Night of the Living Dead, put it best when he said he has “always felt that the real horror is next door to us, that the scariest monsters are our neighbors”. The central message conveyed in the film is that there is corruption in the most righteous of people, darkness in the most holy of places, and perversity in the most sacred of vows.

kyle mallow,

director

Hatchetmen Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T15:53:00.001-04:00

hatchetmen

The idea for Hatchetmen came from a love of period films and crime dramas. In a mafia film, one can expect Tommy guns, brass knuckles, fedoras and nice suits worn by all. These are not cliche aspects of the genre, but actual pieces of mafia history that have been embellished on screen in an effort to keep to the way things were. So naturally, in order to do so, we used these aspects of 1930s crime, but not without prioritizing the key to the film...character. The goal was to tell an interesting story but through focusing on the characters involved. What they feel, think and do are so important in creating the film that everything revolved around them.

We shot the entire film in two days in Plain City, Ohio. We used high end video equipment including a jib to capture the footage exactly how we wanted it. The large amount of costumes for the film, the guns and even a 1930 Model A Ford gave the actors the world in which to work. Everything fell right into place because of the entire cast and crew who worked on it in a very professional way. It was impressive to see everyone do their job as if they were born to do it and in turn make something we can all be proud of.

Movies reach out to audiences and grip them in a way that explores aspects of the truth of life and I hope Hatchetmen speaks to people in that way too. For the Open Frame audience, I advise you to take it all in. This includes the wardrobe, guns, settings and most definitely the characters in order to experience it to its fullest.

David Garwood,

Director

STAN Artistic Statement

2011-04-18T15:50:00.001-04:00

STAN

We so often misrepresent Satan by either trivializing or romanticizing him, rather than acknowledging the full awful entity that he is.

This film seeks to parody this misrepresentation, along with a healthy dose of fun-poking at Malone campus life.

This would not have been possible without the amazing people who dedicated time and effort on very short notice and the blessing of God. We present to you a film to make you laugh very hard, and, perhaps, think even harder.

Kaitie Fox & Corey Clark,
Directors

Open Frame Wrap Up

2011-04-17T10:04:00.003-04:00

The Open Frame Film Fest was an exciting, crowded night of celebrating the good work of hundreds of people producing ten films. You can see more pictures and read more about the event if you facebook like the new OPEN FRAME FILM FEST page.

The films included:

HATCHETMEN

MANSFIELD

NEVER A BRIDE

REEL LIFE

ONE SMALL CANDLE

STAN

PUSH TAGS

THE MEMORIES WITHIN

HIDDEN LIABILITIES

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Here's how the awards fell out:

Best Actor - Paul Croce for HIDDEN LIABILITIES

Best Actress - Trisha Landis for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Best Supporting Acting - Brittany Yeager for MANSFIELD

Best Screenplay - Corinne Abbiss for THE MEMORIES WITHIN

Best Editing - Jordan Grubbs for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Best Contribution by a Non-Malone Student - Joe Siebert for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Best Original Score - Jon Lincoln for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Best Cinematography - Dusty Jenkins for HIDDEN LIABILITIES

Best Directing - Taylor Hazlett for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Outstanding Achievement in Production Authenticity - David Garwood for HATCHETMEN

Outstanding Achievement in Genre Excellence - Kyle Mallow for NEVER A BRIDE

Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Film - Ryan Barnett for PUSH TAGS

Best Film - Danyella Tonelli, Monica Small and Taylor Hazlett for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Artists Statements

2011-04-11T11:32:00.002-04:00

This year it's very important to us that we extend the AUDIENCE MATTERS initiative into the OPEN FRAME FILM FEST.

This is a department-wide initiative that focuses on helping students consider, receive and respond to the feedback from audiences.

The first important step is to help audiences understand the point of view of the artist. In order to do that, we're asking student artists across the major to develop an "artists statement" to help the artists consider the audience and to help the audience think about the artistic process.

You should submit your artist statement by no later than Wednesday at 5 pm. No films will play in the Open Frame that do not have an accompanying artist statement.

What is an artist statement?

Briefly: An explanation of the creative inspiration, process, formal constraints and motivation behind your film.

Your artist statement might include some or all of the following:

Your artist statement shouldn't be longer than 300 words, It shouldn't be shorter than 200.

You could talk about what inspired this piece.

You should talk about the genre that it belongs to -- what is "normative" in that genre, how you build on those expectations and how you contradict them.

I hope that you'll describe the process of making your film, focusing on any unique achievements, approaches, obstacles or effects.

Ideally, you should explain what you hope that movies give to the world -- and how or why you want to participate in that giving.

It would be great if you would mention what you hope an OPEN FRAME audience will appreciate about your film.

the artist statements WILL be posted publicly for people to read BEFORE the festival -- so *don't* include any spoilers.

If you'd like to include a photo for me to use with your statement (a still from the film or from the production) that would be great. If you don't give me one, I'll grab one myself!

Hidden Liabilities Trailer

2011-04-11T11:31:00.001-04:00

Corinne is in the news now!

2011-04-11T11:24:00.000-04:00

Click HERE to read more.

Taylor's In The News...

2011-04-07T17:00:00.005-04:00

CLICK HERE to read the story.

Hatchetmen Trailer

2011-04-06T14:39:00.003-04:00

That's A Wrap!

2011-03-30T11:30:00.000-04:00

The film festival submission deadline is coming in just a week. Films are due on Tuesday morning, April 5th at nine a.m.

Many of our student films wrapped production this past weekend. A few are still putting the last pieces in place.

If you're thinking of submitting a film, make sure that Andrew Rudd knows that you're planning on it, so he can send you information about format, submission and rules for entering films into the contest and into the festival. You can call him or email him at his (web accessible) Malone University contact points.

Congratulations those of you who have moved into the editing phase, may be your wits be sharp, your caffeine be potent and your fingers nimble. We can't wait to watch your work!

Behind the Lens Contest

2011-03-11T20:25:00.001-05:00

Films That Need Actors

2011-02-18T07:42:00.000-05:00

The OPEN FRAME FILM FEST gives Malone University student filmmakers an opportunity to learn filmmaking skills by making short films and then screening them for their peers. Each year the OPEN FRAME FILM FEST screens films that are written, produced, directed, scored, shot and edited by students. These films include comedies, dramas, experimental, music videos, animation, short shorts and documentaries.

Right now, FOUR of our films need to cast talented (volunteer?!) 20s -60s, non-student actors. If you are interested in getting involved in any of these opportunities, you can contact faculty member, Dr. Andrew Rudd at the Open Frame email address the[dot]open[dot]frame[at]gmail[dot]com.

Here’s some information about the roles we have yet to cast:

Dr. Gwendolyn Watkins - "(28), an assertive, intelligent, and inquisitive psychiatrist"

August Williams - "(40s), white, upper-middle class"

Officer O'Donovan - "(40s), who seems nice enough"

Cop 1 - Fellow police officer. Not as old as O'Donovan

Geiser - Voice Only - (60s) - Head of corruption

Mother-- 35-50 years old, After leaving her family years ago, she tries to reunite with her son at her ex-husband's funeral.

Father--35-50 years old, He continues to love his disconnected son as he fights cancer.

Sean: male, 22-28 years old.

Woman: female, 32-38 years old. Average height (5’4”-5’7”) but a little overweight.

Lady: female, 60-65 years old, height around 5’5”-5’8” and skinny.

Wendy: female, ranging in age from 25-45. Tall (5’7” at least) and with a muscular build.

Cross Dressing Inn Owner 45 - 65, male, our anti-hero.

Minister - 50 - 65, male.

If you’d like to talk to someone directly, please call Dr. Andrew Rudd at three three zero, four seven one, eight five two three.

INDIE FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP on POSTPRODUCTION

2011-02-13T21:25:00.004-05:00

....will be held THIS TUESDAY!

You don't want to miss Tuesday night's event. It's free. It includes experienced filmmakers. And opportunities for networking.

Like all Indie Filmmakers Workshops, it is a panel. The three panelists are

Len Brown

Tom Wilson

Steve Felix

Each panelist will take 10 minutes at the beginning to share their best advice about post production to YOU, a diverse audience of indie filmmakers -- ranging from newbie first time student filmmakers to experienced commercial artists.

Plenty of time for questions! Plenty of time for follow-ups.

The event will be held at Malone University in the Silk Auditorium at 7:30. There will be dessert treats and plenty of time for networking.

If you've been to any of our events this year or last, you know that there are always take home bits of wisdom -- and whether your skills are well-developed or barely starting -- you'll learn from the experts and enjoy getting to know other attendees.

Come find out about the 8 student films currently in pre-production -- some of which will start shooting next week! Or come to meet all different kinds of filmmakers -- student and community alike. Hope to see you there!

We're limited to 50 guests...call Kerrie Fisher at 330.471.8201 to reserve your spot.

Hatchetmen

2011-02-11T07:46:00.000-05:00

David Garwood and collaborators will make a 1930s gang film about violence and redemption. Garwood’s piece won funding from the Communication Arts film production contest.

Hidden Liabilities: aka Cookin The Books

2011-02-11T07:45:00.000-05:00

Dusty Jenkins and Michael Popp return to direct a noir psychological thriller with a female protagonist and all the darkness that you’d hope to find in a noir piece. Jenkins’ and Popp’s entry to last year’s Festival was an artfully crafted homage to Clockwork Orange that included impressive performances, shooting and editing. Award-winning production team Danyella Tonelli and Monica Small are also helming this production which is still casting and picking up crew. Hidden Liabilities also won funding in this year’s Communication Arts film production contest.

the memories within

2011-02-11T07:44:00.000-05:00

Corinne Abbiss will direct this quirky nostalgic piece about grief and recovery. The film tells the story of Rueben who has disconnected himself from the world and his father. But after his father’s death, Rueben re-experiences his past through objects at a flea market. Corinne won both the Open Frame Script writing contest and runner up in the Communication Arts film production contest. Abbiss is still adding crew and cast to her team.

Push

2011-02-10T07:55:00.000-05:00

Sophomore Ryan Barnett brings a documentary vibe back to this year's film fest. Ryan is developing a documentary about an artist in Canton, Ohio whose public art is both cool and controversial.

Untitled Nate Ross Project

2011-02-10T07:53:00.000-05:00

College is often a series of hoops that seem neverending, daunting and pointless.

This heist film dares to ask the question, but what if you could get around the hoops.

Mansfield

2011-02-10T07:52:00.001-05:00

Amanda Fulwell wrote this modern day adaptation from the classic novel -- Jane Austen fans will enjoy! Fulwell will also star in the piece which is being directed by Media student, Kristin Rayz.

Untitled Scott / Pearson / Kiel Project

2011-02-10T07:52:00.000-05:00

This revenge thriller pits big-time assassins against steel town corruption....and an angry twenty year old kid figures somewhere in the middle.

Reel Life

2011-02-10T07:50:00.002-05:00

Senior Jordan Scott wowed the Open Frame Crowd last year with the music video for BEAST MODE, his own rap creation featuring the Malone Football Team. Jordan returns with collaborators Willie Pearson and Matt Kiel with this multi-genre film. This piece is a comic romp through familiar film genres with a familiar college - student - dillema.

Never A Bride

2011-02-10T07:46:00.000-05:00

Senior Kyle Mallow returns to this year’s festival planning our first horror film. The story is delightfully warped and creepy. And Kyle’s visual skills have been impressively displayed in last year’s submission to the Open Frame -- FILM SCHOOL and in the web project:The Rise and Fall of Chazz Michael Bishop. He’s looking for crew!

Customer Satisfaction

2011-01-24T18:55:00.000-05:00

In this wry comedic short, a grocery story clerk narrates the story of her last day on the job to her best friend, all the while pressing the boundaries of her perceptions versus those of everyone else.

Taylor Hazlett, whose film (W)HOLE was invited to show at the Canton Palace Theatre International Film Fest this past year, will direct CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

While (W)HOLE was Hazlett’s first student film, it included a number of impressive Open Frame benchmarks -- award-winning editing and talented cinematography (both from first time, female, underclass students); artist’s festival rights acquired; profoundly cinematic storytelling and an impressively coordinated production experience for cast and crew.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION was co-written by Taylor and Erin Chilensky. Erin won the writing award for the OPEN FRAME for her script THAT KIND OF AFFECTION and is currently studying in Los Angeles.

Returning alumni JOE SIEBERT will help the Director of Photography role for this short. Joe now writes and directs for Stonekap Productions. Joe’s short documentary THE REAL BOLD BAD MEN was featured on opening night at this year’s Akron Film Fest and a version of this film can be viewed at reelate.org .

Award-winning producing team Monica Small and Danyella Tonelli will return to art-direct and produce CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. Casting will begin soon for this film. The producers are still looking to fill general crew positions as well as key sound positions.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION will shoot during the month of March.

Stay tuned for more information.

Student Films In Pre-Production

2011-01-21T14:51:00.000-05:00

Seven student films are officially in pre-production now, so over the next few days I'll be blogging about them. Each of the productions are still filling a few positions (cast and crew) so whether you're interested in supporting student productions, building skills, or just staying in touch with opportunities in film at Malone, keep an eye on the next few publications.

We'll also be pushing the info out on facebook so if you haven't already joined our OPEN FRAME group -- go join now!

Open Frame Scholarships For New Students!

2010-12-03T17:09:00.002-05:00

Great news!

The Communication Arts Department has just been notified that we can award several $1000 scholarships to incoming new students next year. This $1000 will be awarded based on merit and participation in the Open Frame.

The deadline for applications is this coming weekend! (December 10th) Because of financial aid awards and the nature of the academic year, the turnaround time is really fast, but hopefully, if you know possible interested candidates, you can pass this information on.

** this just in: we can accept applications for one week after the deadline! **

Applicants will be invited to come to a scholarship day for interviews and screenings in January.

Please email arudd at malone dot edu for more information *or* the.open.frame at gmail dot com.

New Film Concentration at Malone

2010-12-03T16:54:00.001-05:00

After eight years of Open Frame Films, and an increasing array of film classes at Malone, I'm thrilled to announce that Malone officially offers an academic "film concentration" within the Communication Arts Major.

Film Concentration students will take Media Production I & II, Editing, Directing, World Cinema, History and Theory of Film and choose between Scriptwriting (for the writers among you) and Photojournalism (for the documentarians and cinematographers among you).

We do also offer a general education course, History of the American Dream in Film: 1950s to the Present, which students may opt to take. We also strongly encourage our students to take advantage of the rich resources of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center -- a resource that Malone students regularly participate in.

Like all Communication Art majors, these students will continue to take courses that prepare them broadly for communication-related careers, and build key communication skills. And our program will continue to focus on developing students as STORYTELLERS committed to the COMMUNITIES they serve ENGAGING CULTURE (not avoiding or shunning it like some evangelical Christian Universities).

Film students will continue to make films for the Open Frame Film Fest, they'll continue to collaborate with our student journalists in the AVISO AVW, and they'll continue to make films for classwork and in the local Canton community (through programs like reelate.

Location:Malone University, Canton, Ohio

Aviso Coverage....

2010-12-03T13:59:00.003-05:00

Have you checked out this story from Malone's student newspaper the Aviso, yet? If not, click the link. The story also features this video from last year's festival.

Open Frame Film Festival from Malone TV on Vimeo.

Those of you who are alum will appreciate the nostalgia; the music was composed by (now) senior filmmaker, Jordan Scott. The images were assembled by (now) senior, award-winning student-film producer, Monica Small. A section of (brilliant) editing was done by award-winning alumni, (the inimitable) Andrew Gates.

Upcoming Indie Filmmakers Workshop

2010-11-15T15:58:00.003-05:00

Next semester’s Indie Filmmaker Workshops promise some great insights, skills and opportunities. Announcements about those should fill your inboxes soon.

Have you signed up for RSS feed from our blog?

www.openframefilmfest.com

or joined our facebook group?

Those are the best ways to stay up-to-date about Open Frame opportunities.

If you’d like to receive regular emails in the future, please *DO* email us at

the.open.frame [at] gmail [dot] com

You can sign up to receive emails about:

all upcoming events productions,

receive emails ONLY about Indie FIlmmaker Workshops,

receive emails only about student film productions, or

receive emails about opportunities for non-student involvement.

Please indicate the type of emails you’d like to receive if you email us back!

Indie Filmmakers was a Good Time.

2010-10-27T19:23:00.004-04:00

We had a great night hearing about the experiences, approaches and work of Ted Sikora and Chad Kapper. Everyone came away a richer filmmaker and film-viewer. Thanks to these talented guys and their willingness to share!

Grant Winners Announced

2010-10-25T18:26:00.000-04:00

This year, we asked students to put together a proposal advocating for funding for their various projects. We received a number of proposals, and while the department will continue to support and develop any interested students and their projects, a jury consisting of faculty, staff and a filmmaker outside of Malone have voted on the proposals, and the following winners are the outcome.

Congratulations to

HIDDEN LIABILITIES (Dusty Jenkins and Michael Popp)

and

HATCHETMEN (David Garwood)

Each of these projects have been awarded $200 for production expenses.

Congratulations to Corinne Abbiss who wins the runner-up grant of $500 for her project, THE MEMORIES WITHIN. This script won this year’s script contest.

The winner of the $1000 grant is Taylor Hazlett for CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

These projects along with many other student projects will be entering the production cycle shortly. Please get involved volunteering, crewing and collaborating with these students.

Chad Kapper Presents at Malone University.

2010-10-25T11:54:00.002-04:00

Chad Kapper, local director and founder of Stonekap Productions, made SARAH'S CHOICE in 2009. He'll be talking about how to run an effective set along with Ted Sikora this Tuesday evening, October 26th from 7:30 til 8:30 at Malone University in the Silk Auditorium.

Here's the SARAH'S CHOICE trailer:

Sarah's Choice from Pure Flix on Vimeo.

The Indie Filmmakers Workshop is designed to resource student filmmakers with film-making skills and know-how. This session is free and open to the public.

Ted Sikora Comes to Malone.

2010-10-25T11:54:00.001-04:00

Ted Sikora, writer and director of the award-winning HERO TOMORROW will be one of the panelists at the Indie Filmmakers Workshop at Malone University in the Silk Auditorium on Tuesday night at 7:30. This hour long session will include tips for running an effective set, and will include opportunities for Q & A.

Check out the trailer or HERO TOMORROW:

Hero Tomorrow Trailer from Ted Sikora on Vimeo.

Director Chad Kapper will also be on the panel and students and the session is free and open to the public.

Indie Filmmaker Workshop! This Tuesday!

2010-10-24T08:07:00.001-04:00

This one hour session will feature two Northeast Ohio filmmakers who have made successful feature length films.

Ted Sikora and Chad Kapper will share some of their best tips for running an effective set, and there will be plenty of time for asking questions.

Networking is always featured at Indie Filmmaker Workshops, so come to meet other local filmmakers too!

Open Frame Grant Contest

2010-09-30T19:51:00.003-04:00

This year the Communication Arts Department will award production grants to worthy film projects. The top grant will include a budget of $1000 along with priority access to equipment and facilities. Other student grants will also award priority for equipment and facilities and will include $200 budgets. Students may apply for these grants anytime from tomorrow (October 1st) until October 11th at 8 am.

The top grant will be awarded competitively based on which production application best meets the following criteria:

This film and production will exemplify the Malone University Mission and the Mission of the Communication Arts Department.

This film is based on a winning script from the 2010 writing contest.

This film will allow a very significant number of Malone students to gain filmmaking experience and contribute to their learning experiences.

The production application demonstrates the producer's / director's ability to plan well for the various demands of a film shoot.

The producer has either assembled an impressive crew of collaborators or presents a persuasive case that s/he will be able to do so.

*in cases when other factors are relatively equal, upperclass students will have a slight advantage over lower. In such cases, seniors would have the most advantage.

The mini-grants will not employ criteria number two to evaluate the validity of applications.

The grant selection committee will include Communication Arts Faculty members, Faculty members from other departments on campus, alumni and community filmmakers.

Your actual grant application should be no more than three pages. You should provide an additional title page and you may provide appendices of evidence to demonstrate the points you make in your application. While you may include any information you would like to in the application, you must include a one sentence summary of the short film and a one paragraph summary of the short film. Other materials you may want to include (either as appendices or in summary):

An artistic vision,

Statements about the project's unique merits

An explanation of the production approach

A tentative production schedule

Tentative storyboards

Tentative crew members (who have indicated interest)
Strategies for recruiting talent and crew

Tentative locations for filming

A list of other producers or collaborators.

Any letters of recommendation about the director's or producer's ability to complete a project like this one.

a director's reel

While any of these materials may be included, none of them are required. Applicants are STRONGLY URGED to make mention of each of the items in the appendices within their application to encourage the judging panel to examine them.

The winners of the grants will be announced on October 20th by 5 pm

You can see a short film proposal here. While this proposal was prepared for a micro-documentary, and to elicit the support collaborators, it gives you a rough sense of how a proposal might unfold.

Malone University Student Films to Screen at Canton Palace International Film Festival

2010-09-28T15:31:00.002-04:00

Ten Malone University student films will play at the Canton Palace International Film Fest. Winning entries from earlier years were submitted to the festival, but once festival programmers reviewed the Open Frame discs, they invited four more films to be included, too.

The films playing at the festival include the following

Questionable Behavior directed by Stephen Thomas / 13 min. / 2008 / Narrative Fiction
Will the police officer succeed in his attempt to bring in this drunken driver? Will the driver manage to keep his wits about him? Or are these the wrong questions to be asking?

Another Winter in Canton directed by Dan Walton / 5:20 min. / 2009 / Experimental
One long day in Canton, Ohio shows the quiet and subtle beauty of winter set to the music of a local band, Wild Boy of Aveyron.

Definition directed by Alyssa Pearson / 14:37 min. / 2009 / Narrative Fiction
Val Carter feels trapped in monotony and decides to take drastic measures to escape her mundane reality. The further she is from familiarity, the more she learns that assigning meaning to her life does not need to be so definite.

Sloth directed by Dusty Jenkins / 16 min. / 2009 / Documentary
An impromptu game invented by bored college students becomes a cherished tradition lasting for seven years despite threats from the institution and even the city.

Benedict Sexton directed by Dusty Jenkins and Michael Popp / 12:44 min. / 2010 / Narrative Fiction
A break-in at midnight morphs into an unlikely connection.

Keepsakes directed by Alyssa Pearson / 16:26 min. / 2010 / Narrative Fiction
Aiden's estranged grandmother has just passed away, leaving him in a state of mournful disappointment. At the release of the will, he finds a to-do list written in her hand. Spontaneously, he decides to attempt the written tasks in order to get to know her.

Two for Tuesday directed by Ryan Baechel / 5 min. / 2009 / Experimental
One night with big questions is handled in a trippy, dreamlike (?), drugged-out (?) way in this experimental short about personal spiritual struggle.

(w)hole directed by Taylor Hazlett / 6:14 min. / 2010 / Narrative Fiction
This silent film uses iconic images to wander through a girl’s journey into adulthood. The story is big, the telling is simple. A parable about loss and recovery.

Always directed by Ashley Barstow / 3:49 min. / 2010 / Short Documentary Subject
This short documentary uses old family films to explore the connection between a song and a relationship.

Chalk Burst directed by Nate Ross, Chris DeMichel, & Meredith Borling /3:51 min. /2008 /Experimental. A class project yielded this stop motion meditation on beauty and movement; on art and nature.

The films will play at the Canton Palace Theatre downtown in Canton, Ohio on Friday, October 8th from 12:10 pm until 1:55 pm. Cost of admission is $4 per person. Some of the filmmakers will be on hand for Q & A afterward.

More information about the Canton Palace International Film Festival.

And THE OPEN FRAME GOES TO.....

2010-09-27T13:31:00.000-04:00

For the first time in Open Frame history, an OPEN FRAME winner is being announced in September.
This year, the OPEN FRAME for SCREENPLAY was determined by an illustrious jury of our alumni.

Seven different writers (including two collaborative scripts) wrote seven different scripts this year. The overall quality of entries was up (again!) this year, and the scores given by the judges to the top four scripts was impressively competitive.

The runner-up script HIDDEN LIABILITIES was written by writing team Dusty Jenkins and Michael Popp and included a psychological thriller noir tone.

The winner of this year’s OPEN FRAME for scriptwriting goes to.....

Corinne Abbiss for THE MEMORIES WITHIN.

This is the first script that Corinne has submitted to the Open Frame contest, and while she DP’d (W)HOLE last year, this script will be her first script - to - screen production this year.

THE MEMORIES WITHIN tells a story about loss and recovery through a visit to a flea market. It’s a non-linear story about memory, forgiveness, family and grief. Corinne spent her summer writing the script and is looking forward to directing it during spring semester. She’s looking to fill her crew positions now, so if you’re interested in producing or crewing -- let her know.

The top four scripts (because their scores are so close) will vie for the Communication Department Production Grant this year ($1000). The Communication Arts Department will also fund other films this year with mini-grants ($200 each). The grant contest entries are due on Monday, October 11th at 8 a.m..

Congratulations to the five qualifying writers. The qualifying entries this year are:

Corinne Abbiss THE MEMORIES WITHIN

 Dusty Jenkins & Michael Popp HIDDEN LIABILITIES

Taylor Hazlett & Erin Chilensky CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Erin Chilensky TORN

Thanks to all of our alumni judges and our talented, hard-working writers.

INDIE FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP: Pre-Production

2010-09-19T15:56:00.006-04:00

The first Indie Filmmakers Workshop focused on Pre-Production will be held

THIS TUESDAY

September 21st

from 7:30 to 8:30

in the Silk Auditorium

Mitchell Hall

Malone University

RSVP to Kerrie at 330.471.820

find out more by clicking this link.

Indie Filmmaker Workshops Return!

2010-09-02T16:51:00.002-04:00

Some of you came to the SCREENWRITING INDIE FILMMAKER WORKSHOP last year; this year, we got a little *more* institutional support so that we can pull off even more sessions.

You can read about the sessions we'll be sponsoring and put them on your calendar now by clicking on this link.

More information will be rolling out about each session as they get nearer.

Announcing the 2010 OPEN FRAME SCRIPT CONTEST

2010-07-14T08:18:00.003-04:00

This year the Communication Arts Department will sponsor a script writing contest to find one script that might be developed into a festival-ready short film of the highest caliber. All scripts submitted to the contest will be reviewed by five qualified judges. Writers will receive feedback both in the form of narrative comments and rankings based on the various criteria. The top three scripts will be eligible for the departmentally sponsored film. The top script (regardless of whether it is chosen to be produced) will receive an OPEN FRAME AWARD at this year’s festival event.

Scripts may be in any genre. Fresh innovative stories told in a cinematic way are best. Scripts may range from one minute to sixteen minutes (one minute = on page in screenplay format). Scripts must be submitted in standard screenplay format. Scripts MUST include a title page, but may NOT include the authors name.

You should submit your script by email. You should send the email to Andrew Rudd and your script should be in PDF format, with a title, but NO authorial name. In the email you attach your script to, you should list your name, major, script name, and indicate whether you would:

a. prefer to direct your script, but would allow someone else to direct it,
b. prefer NOT to direct your script, and desire another director for it,
c. be ambivalent about whether you direct your script,
d. prefer to direct your script, and would not want your script to be directed by anyone else.

Scripts open to other directors will have a slight edge in the competition.

Scripts are due on September 13th, 2010 at 8 am. Contest winners will be announced on September 20th at 5 pm on the Open Frame Blog.

Watch Great Short Films

2010-07-13T10:27:00.000-04:00

There are many places to watch short films. The series FUTURE SHORTS on youtube is one of the best curators of good films, but you can find them in many other places, too.

If you live in Stark County (or while you're at Malone) there is a short film series that screens every month, first wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the downtown library. The films are excellent.

I recommend that as you watch short films, you try to develop a sense of what makes short subjects work. Jot down ideas for short films of your own.

Read Professional Scripts

2010-07-13T09:49:00.000-04:00

You can find endless quality scripts online. I strongly advise you to read scripts for movies that you have already seen that way you can think well about how the film translates into visual storytelling.

I also caution you about some of the scripts you will find floating around on the internet. Many of them are simply transcriptions by hacks that are living in their parent's basement without anything better to do. Like write their own screenplays. In other words, I have nothing against living in your parent's basement. Just living in your parents basement transcribing fake screenplays from movies you dig. I have a problem with that. Am I off track here? Just wanted to warn you about those fake scripts. Once you've read a few real ones and compared them to standard Hollywood formatting, you'll be able to spot these fakes a million miles away.

Some sites I recommend include

Simply Scripts

and

The Screenplay Database

Both of these sites have excellent, legit scripts. Check them out.

Standard Screenplay Format

2010-07-13T08:19:00.003-04:00

Because Malone is an educational institution, and the OPEN FRAME is an educational program, we're always interested in resourcing students for the things they may do after they graduate.

While script formats vary from medium to medium, one of the most important part of learning the craft of screenwriting (or any kind of scriptwriting) is learning to write within the formatting specs shared by professionals.

Standard formats help readers identify important elements of the script more quickly, they help producers organize pre-production and production more efficiently and they help everyone involved in the script have a more clear and shared sense of the vision, length, tone and dynamics of a script.

There are many excellent books on screenwriting. Most of them include a chapter or at least a section on formatting.

The best way to learn formatting, though, in my mind is:

1. read professional scripts, and

2. use professional screenwriting software to write your first script.

I strongly recommend using CELTX - a free software available for download at celtx.com - for the beginning scriptwriter this software and its support materials offer a wealth of helpful resources. I also use Final Draft, an industry standard software. Final Draft is impressive in its updates, its resources, its ease of navigation...and the price? Well, it reflects the top-of-the-line status.

While standard screenplay format is essential (if you don't have it -- it's a deal breaker), it's not enough. Your main focus as a writer should be story. So try to balance learning the craft *and* building your storytelling muscles.

The best way to build your storytelling muscles is:

1. watch great short films,

2. write scripts!

When The Bough Breaks

2010-05-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

Keepsakes

2010-05-27T14:59:00.000-04:00

Film School

2010-05-27T14:58:00.000-04:00

La Femme Difficile

2010-05-27T14:57:00.000-04:00

Chalk Burst

2010-05-27T14:56:00.000-04:00

His Name Is Bent Twig

2010-05-27T14:53:00.001-04:00

Benedict Sexton

2010-05-27T14:52:00.001-04:00

Beast Mode

2010-05-27T14:52:00.000-04:00

Always

2010-05-27T14:51:00.001-04:00

That Kind of Affection

2010-05-27T14:49:00.001-04:00

(w)hole

2010-05-27T14:47:00.004-04:00

Open Frame Film Fest Winners, 2010

2010-04-25T16:14:00.003-04:00

Best Acting Performance - Chloe Asselin for That Kind of AFFECTION

Best Score - Joel Maze, Keepsakes

Best Cinematography - Nate Ross, Keepsakes

Best Editing - Jordan Grubbs for (w)hole

Best Publicity - Alyssa Pearson, Danyella Toneli, Monica Small, Connie Clapper, Keepsakes

Best Outside Contribution - Kate Tasseff, Lead Actress, (w)hole

Best Screenplay - Erin Chilensky That Kind of AFFECTION

Best Film - Keepsakes written, directed, produced and edited by Alyssa Pearson; Producers: Danyella Tonelli, Monica Small, Connie Clapper,

Audience Award - Keepsakes by Alyssa Pearson

The Open Frame Film Fest Is Here!

2010-04-22T23:00:00.002-04:00

Don't miss it, tomorrow night, April 23rd. This is the only night that these films will play on a big screen together to a packed house. Don't miss it.

**BENEDICT SEXTON**
written and directed by Dusty Jenkins and Michael Popp

**KEEPSAKES**
written and directed by Alyssa Pearson

**(w)hole**
written and directed by Taylor Hazlett

**HIS NAME IS BENT TWIG**
conceived and directed by Ryan Baechel

**ALWAYS**
a short documentary by first time filmmaker Ashley Barstow

**that kind of AFFECTION**
written and directed by Erin Chilensky

**FILM SCHOOL**
written & directed by Kyle Mallow

**BEAST MODE**
written & directed by Jordan Scott

**LA FEMME DIFFICILE**
written & directed by Dusty Jenkins

**CHALK BURST**
created by Nate Ross, Chris DeMichel, and Meredith Borling

**PHONE CALL**
written & directed by Stephen Thomas

**WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS**
written and directed by Dusty Jenkins

See you there!

Submission Information

2010-04-08T16:19:00.001-04:00

The Open Frame deadline arrives! Soon!

Films are due to me, in my office by Tuesday, April 14th at 9 am. The length limit is a firm seventeen minutes INCLUDING credits — tho’ I hope we’re going to get some films that are shorter? Those are real audience pleasers. I know that we have at least ONE music video. Which I’m pretty excited about. I hope that we’ll have more than just one???

Anyway. Please remember that accepted filmmakers are required to volunteer minimally four hours during the week of the festival. If your film is accepted, you’ll be notified on the 14th. I need everyone to reserve at least one hour of volunteer labor for the DAY OF the film festival (April 24th), but encourage you to use your other volunteer hours to promote the event and specifically your film. I encourage you to make posters & hang them around campus — I encourage you to include some face to face promotion but web promotion is both encouraged and expected.

If your film is accepted, you will be asked to nominate people for the following categories. Not all categories will receive an award. Only fulltime Malone students are eligible for Open Frame awards (except the one award, obviously).

If your film is accepted, you will also be asked to submit two – three high quality stills for promotional and event purposes.

I prefer to receive your film either on a hard drive in QUICKTIME format — OR you may send it to me using BOX.NET (email me for more info on box.net)

Potential Award Categories:

Best Actor

Best Actress

Best Actor / Actress in a Supporting Role

Best Publicity

Best Original Score

Best Outside Contribution

Best Cinematography

Best Screenplay

Best Director

Best Film

Best Song

Best Experimental Work

Audience Award

Why have an "Open Frame"?

2010-04-02T10:45:00.000-04:00

We hope that this contest is an opportunity for students to create films together that will provide visions of truth, opportunities for reflection, images of transformation and reconciliation.

Since making films is always collaborative -- the process of producing these films will invite students to create community with one another around this creative expression.

The film contest supplements Communication Arts Department curriculum by giving students an opportunity to enact skills taught in a broad range of courses and to develop qualities essential to personal and professional success.

Student films provide important portfolio material for students interested in careers in media production.

Creating films allows students an important opportunity to develop “voice” – the ability to tell a coherent story in an engaging way is a skill that will aid them in a broad range of contexts and careers.

We also hope that the audiences who watch these films will receive a new "frame" for seeing the world -- hopefully in a richer, fuller, better way.

This year's event will be held on Friday, April 23rd at 10 p.m. in the Johnson Center Chapel.

Announcing the Department Sponsored Films

2009-11-24T20:25:00.003-05:00

The Communication Arts Department proudly announces that this year the department will sponsor THREE student films. No, we haven't come into a vast fortune. We did, however have three distinct director / script proposals that we couldn't pass up. The following three films will be "sponsored" by the Communication Arts Department:

(w)hole - directed by Taylor Hazlett

Keepsakes - directed by Alyssa Pearson

Benedict Sexton - directed by Dusty Jenkins & Michael Popp

You should get involved with one of these films (or one of the several others that are also in production this year). More details about the production teams and production schedules will soon be available on this blog.

Stay tuned.

Congratulations!

2009-11-02T16:45:00.001-05:00

This year marked a new record in that eleven scripts were submitted for the Open Frame.

A panel of 18 alumni carefully poured over these submissions. Using a standardized ranking system, each writer will have the opportunity to receive feedback about their script this year. Due to the generosity of our alumni judges, Malone students will be able to read open-ended feedback and statistical responses -- an unusual privilege for beginning writers. (THANKS, alumni!)

Four scripts have been selected as winners this year (though only two will proceed to department-sponsored production); it is my sincere hope that each of these scripts will be developed into short films, regardless of the department sponsorship.

The next two weeks of our contest will provide directors the opportunity to apply for the department-sponsored film. You can read more about the director's contest here.

The winning scripts this year include:

THAT KIND OF AFFECTION by Erin Chilensky

BENEDICT SEXTON by Dusty Jenkins

KEEPSAKES by Alyssa Pearson

(W)HOLE by Taylor Hazlett

Congratulations to all four writers and to the rest of the writers who submitted their work to the Open Frame Script Contest. Thanks for your hard work, developing craft and your commitment to creativity, vision and beauty!

Director's Contest

2009-11-02T16:24:00.005-05:00

This year, the directors contest will build on the Open Frame Writing Contest in a new way.

Each director applicant must turn in the following materials by November 12th at midnight:

1. A director's vision statement of one of this year's winning scripts.

2. A list of (1 - 3) producers or *key players* (editor, cinematographer, art director, lead actor) they have (tentatively) recruited for the project.

3. A 30 second - 2 minute reel, posted on youtube or vimeo, demonstrating their abilities as a director.

*please email Andrew Rudd for copies of this year's winning scripts.

Your Director's Reel

2009-11-02T16:16:00.001-05:00

A director's reel may be comprised of previous projects you've completed. These projects may vary from newsreel footage to photography to other short films.

You will probably want to demonstrate some ability to use visual storytelling for dramatic development during at least one portion of the reel. The reel does not need to include sync sound, but it may.

You may collaborate others to help you create the reel -- a Director of Photography, an editor, and actors. You may also use footage from earlier projects that you participated in as a DP, editor or director.

Please only use music legally for your reel.

You may want to even shoot something as simple as dialogue from one of the winning scripts, using a flip cam and some good light.

A Director's Vision Statement

2009-11-02T16:15:00.003-05:00

Should include a re-telling and analysis of the script they are proposing to direct.

(Directors may create vision statements for as many of the scripts as they would be willing to direct.)

A director's vision statement should highlight the key emotional highlights of the script and explain some ideas for executing the more challenging technical dimensions of the script. The director should include a statement about why this project works for them personally.

A directors vision statement should be no more than one typed page.

SCRIPT Deadline This Monday - October 26th 5 pm

2009-10-24T19:33:00.002-04:00

Applications for the DIRECTOR of the COMMUNICATION ARTS DEPARTMENT SPONSORED FILM have been postponed until November 6th.

Scripts are due to Andrew Rudd by email by 5 pm. Scripts should be either in CELTX format or PDF. They MUST include a title page, but may NOT include the author's name. Scripts must be 17 pages or SHORTER. Treatments are welcome to be entered, but will receive less consideration than completely written scripts.

The scripts will be read and ranked by a jury of distinguished alumni. All readers have made short films and many currently work in entertainment industries. The winning scripts will be announced on Monday, November 2nd.

In the email you attach your script to, you should list your name, major, script name, and indicate whether you would:

a. prefer to direct your script, but would allow someone else to direct it,
b. prefer NOT to direct your script, and desire another director for it,
c. be ambivalent about whether you direct your script,
d. prefer to direct your script, and would not want your script to be directed by anyone else.

Good Ideas + Good People = Good Conversation

2009-09-16T05:36:00.005-04:00

Thanks to Jay Oldaker for the sweet image (above) -- and for live tweeting the event. Check his tweets for some helpful links.

Our presenters Bo Bishop, Connie Collins and Candee Kramer all had really varied, but very helpful things to say about the art of story and the writers life. We had 35 attendees and plenty of delightful and enriching practitioners, artists, students and professionals. (click Bo & Connie's links in order to see some of their work)

Afterward, more than half of the audience stuck around for short films made by the presenters.

Thanks to Kerrie Fisher, Dalton Proverbs, Ashley Smith, and Connie Clapper for lots of the behind the scenes magic that made the event so enjoyable!

Thanks to our presenters for being so honest, available and engaging!

Don't miss the next INDIE FILMMAKER WORKSHOP: PRE-PRODUCTION on October 27th, 7:30 in Silk Auditorium.

INDIE FILMMAKERS WORKSHOP: Screenwriting for the Short Film

2009-09-10T16:15:00.004-04:00

The Open Frame Film Festival at Malone University will hold an

INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER’S WORKSHOP on SCREENWRITING FOR THE SHORT FILM

on Tuesday, September 15th at 7:30 p.m. in the Silk Auditorium.

The workshop was created to help prepare student writers as they develop short films for the OPEN FRAME FILM FESTIVAL, but community members are welcome.

An expert panel of screenwriters, living locally, but whose work has garnered wide acclaim, will talk about the skills, habits and experiences of successful screenwriters. Beginning writers won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear from and meet screenwriters Connie Collins, Bo Bishop, and Candee Kramer. Dr. Andrew Rudd, also an award-winning screenwriter will moderate the panel.

Filmmaker Connie Collins has written and produced two short films, one of which played at the Cleveland Film Festival among other festivals. Connie has also written and produced two socially-conscious documentaries dealing with solutions for prostitution.

Bo Bishop graduated from Columbia University. Bo has written and directed a remarkable short film, Miles Wynberry of Glendale Lane. He has written multiple full length screenplays, too. His script Glass Factory Tours has garnered the attention of Hollywood producers.

Candee Kramer was a finalist in the Movie Deal Contest & a semifinalist in the Screenwriting Expo contest for short film scripts. A feature length script placed in the top 5% of the MORE Women in Film contest. She’ll be wrapping shooting on her first short film as a producer just days before she joins us for our workshop.

This event is FREE! But only 30 participants may participate in this hour-long workshop, so RSVP to Kerrie Fisher by phone (330.471.8201) or email (kfisher @ malone dot edu) ASAP. First come, first served.

Filmmaker Lunches this week!

2009-09-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

We're beginning the Open Frame year with a series of lunches that re-screen the films shown in last year's Open Frame followed by a Q & A with many of the filmmakers. Each lunch will be held in the Conference Rooms at the back of the Brehme Center. Carry your lunch in from the cafeteria and watch and dialogue. The event is free -- you can come one day or all four!

Wednesday, September 9th, at noon, we'll screen:

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE(ITY) & PRAYER WARRIORS

Thursday, September 10th, at noon, we'll screen:

SLOTH & TWO ON TUESDAY

Friday, September 11th, at noon, we'll screen:

ANOTHER WINTER IN CANTON & HUGGING STRANGERS

Monday, September 14th, at noon, we'll screen:

DEFINITION & OEDIPUS (and a few extra shorts)

New In 09

2009-08-30T20:53:00.003-04:00

The Open Frame Film Fest will continue to be a student film event that develops and screens original work by students for students.

This year, as a part of that mission, we're sponsoring several events and initiatives throughout the year.

This year the Indy Filmmakers Training Sessions return -- but including experienced guests -- and open to the broader community. These sessions will be limited to a smaller audience, so be sure to register soon (email us at the address located on the right hand side of this blog).

Also this year, we'll kick off the year with a series of lunches that re-screen the films shown in last year's Open Frame. The films will be followed by a Q & A with many of the filmmakers. Each lunch will be held in the Brehme Center. Carry your lunch in from the cafeteria and watch a film or two, and then enter the dialogue.
Each year the Communication Arts Department sponsors one or two student films. The sponsorship includes a $500 budget, use of the Open Frame HD camera, full support of the Malone IT department, a modest light kit, priority access to Final Cut editing studio and mentorship and production help from faculty members.

Interested students should submit:

scripts (if you want to be a writer type it up using CELTX.COM free screenwriting software),
director’s reels (go shoot something beautiful right now if you don’t already have something you’re proud of),
producer’s applications (turn in your name, contact information and a statement about why you’d like to be involved.)

Your application materials are due on October 26th at 5 pm. The Winners of the contest will be announced on November 2, here on the Open Frame Blog.

Welcome New Filmmakers

2009-08-17T15:49:00.004-04:00

Some of you have arrived at the Open Frame Film Fest Blog because you have some interest in film and film-making.

The Open Frame is an annual one-night festival that features student films. A few of the student films developed for the Open Frame have gone on to play at other film festivals regionally and nationally. Many of the filmmakers nourished through the Open Frame Film Festival continue to make films professionally or for fun.

Many of the students who have participated in the Open Frame have continued to work in other fields, too -- business, theology, art, music, computer technology, political science and education.

They agree with us that film-making and storytelling is an essential human activity -- one that makes more whole, changes people's vision of reality, and producing pleasure and growth for the filmmakers themselves.

Do you want to join our ranks? Make a film? Help make a film?

There are MANY different roles you can play. All of them flex your storytelling / media producing muscles. If you have made a sundance film already -- or if you've never even made your own legomation -- you can be involved. And if you're interested? You should.

Stop by our table at RUSH (the first evening after classes), come to our informational meeting on September 1st at 7:00 pm in the SILK auditorium, join our facebook group (OPEN FRAME FILM FEST), and feel free to browse the years and years of posts here on this blog!

2009 - 2010 Open Frame Film Fest Schedule

2009-07-09T15:08:00.006-04:00

This year's Open Frame Schedule returns with many familiar and memorable features and a few new features. Stay tuned to be updated about what's new and what's now.

Go ahead and join our facebook group, too, for up to the minute info -- and a way to communicate with other Open Framers.

Here's this year's big dates -- more details about all of the below will follow:

Rush - August 31, 2009 4-7pm - Alumni, New Students & Old Students Welcome!

Informational Meeting - September 1st 7 pm - New information for New and Current Students.

Filmmaker Lunches - September 9 - 15 - Last year's filmmakers screen and discuss their films.

Indy Filmmakers Training Session: Screenwriting - September 15 7:30 pm - Open to the public.

Scripts & Directors Contest Deadline - October 26th, 5 pm

Indy Filmmakers Training Session: Preproduction - DATE TBA 7:30 - Open to the public.

Indy Filmmakers Training Session: A Successful Shoot - DATE TBA 7:30 pm - Open to the public.

Filmmaker Lunches - March 1 - 4

Film Submission Deadline - April 13th, 9 am

Filmmaker Lunches - April 19 - 22

The Open Frame Film Fest - April 23rd 10 pm. - Johnson Center Chapel

Filmmaker Lunches - April 26th & 27th - This year's filmmaker screen their films and entertain audience Q & A

Sloth

2009-05-01T11:15:00.002-04:00

Across The Universe...ity

2009-05-01T11:14:00.004-04:00

Encased

2009-05-01T11:13:00.002-04:00

Prayer Warriors

2009-05-01T11:11:00.002-04:00

Oedipus

2009-05-01T11:10:00.002-04:00

Two For Tuesday

2009-05-01T11:09:00.002-04:00

One More Winter In Canton

2009-05-01T11:08:00.002-04:00

Hugging Strangers

2009-05-01T10:59:00.002-04:00

Definition

2009-05-01T10:53:00.003-04:00

This Year's Winners

2009-04-29T05:29:00.003-04:00

click the photo above to see all of this year's student filmmakers & collaborators spread across the stage. Thanks, Alyssa for the source pictures!

Here's a list of the Open Frame winners this year:

Best Actor - Jon More for his performance in Hugging Strangers

Best Actress - Meredith Borling for her performance in Definition

Best Actor / Actress in a Supporting Role - B. Ruth Hitchcock for her (multiple) performance(s) in Definition

Best Publicity - Rick Thomas received this new award for his publicity for BOTH Prayer Warriors and Oedipus.

Best Original Score - in one of the most competitive categories, Jordan Morrison for Oedipus

Best Outside Contribution - formerly the "non-Malone award" Dylan Baldridge won for his cinematography and editing of Hugging Strangers

Best Cinematography - Nate Ross for Definition

Best Screenplay - Alyssa Pearson for Definition

Best Director - Alyssa Pearson for Definition

Best Film - Danyella Tonelli, Brittney Bolinger, Alyssa Pearson, Taylor Hazlett, Monica Small, Tristan Sanchez (all producers) for Definition

Best Song - This special jury award went to Wild Boy of Aveyron for their song A Haunt for Jackals used both in Another Winter in Canton and Sloth. Wild Boy of Aveyron includes Malone students Brian Peters, Ryan Palmer, Brad Unruh & Brett Maxwell. ( click through to their myspace and you can hear the award winning song)

Best Fight Sequence - This special jury award went to Rick Thomas for his startling and hilarious legomation fight sequence.

Audience Award - In a year where 11 (of 12 movies) got votes, and the runner up got just 10 fewer than the winner, the Audience Award is especially meaningful, going to Justin Edenhoffer and Stephen Thomas for Across the Universe...ity

Open Frame '09

2009-04-25T19:01:00.004-04:00

Last night's Open Frame felt exciting and renewing -- as it usually does.

This year we screened 12 student short films, our first ever documentary, our first ever legomation, two films that would definitely be characterized as "experimental," and then a few films that fall into genres we're used to at the Open Frame - personal narratives of reconciliation and transformation, short short comedies, and one raucous satire of Malone culture.

Here are the films that played:

SLOTH: AN LP TRADITION
(16 minutes)
a documentary centering on a Malone tradition and the men shaped by the tradition. Dusty Jenkins directed.

MASTERCARD
(1 minute)
a short short mashup by Rick Thomas, with a special featured appearance by professor, Dr. Sean Benson.

PRAYER WARRIORS
(7 minutes)
A Frank Peretti style, effects-driven short short about "spiritual battle" directed by Brad Eick.

OEDIPUS
(10 minutes)
A legomation abridgement of the classic play, faithful in plot, delightfully playful in execution, by Rick Thomas.

ANOTHER WINTER IN CANTON
(7 minutes)
A one-day visual journey around the city of Canton. Dan Walton set this emotional short to a fantastic Wild Boy of Aveyron song.

TWO FOR TUESDAY
(5 minutes)
Ryan Baechel's first entry in the OPEN FRAME was this experimental and understated trippy journey through a dreamlike? druggedout? struggle.

TACO BELL FIRE SAUCE
(1 minute)
Only Rick Thomas could turn a fastfood packet of taste into an audience-pleasing laughfest like this short short.

HUGGING STRANGERS
(16 minutes)
Cory Green, first time filmmaker, wrote, produced & directed this dark comedy about living with family dysfunction in just one semester, but still managed to make a compelling, believable & funny short.

IPHONE
(1 minute)
The third of Rick Thomas' trifecta of hilarious and ridiculous short shorts. Proof that one good joke in a movie this long can slay an audience with laughter.

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE…ity
(15 minutes)
Justin Edenhoffer and Stephen Thomas follow up their '08 audience fave Across Enolam with another chase-heavy satire that digests and delights in the quirks of Malone culture these days.

DEFINITION
(16 minutes)
A crappy day and a surprising quest moves through dark comedy to hopeful recovery in this visually delightful, musically genius and narratively well-structured festival winner, written and directed by Alyssa Pearson.

ENCASED
(10 minutes)
Rachel Both submitted a story of adolescent triumph over adversity to engage our audience as this year's offering from LAFSC.

A Jury of Professional Artists and Filmmakers

2009-04-18T13:17:00.002-04:00

For the first five years of the Open Frame Student Film Contest -- we relied heavily on the gracious jurying of our faithful alumni, faculty members and staff. We have always been deeply grateful for their willingness to serve current students and their films, but have also been wary in recent years of overwhelming them with so many films and a consistently short time to render their judgement.

Beginning last year we were thrilled to be able to invite a jury from outside of Malone College to give our alums a breather. These capable film, art & entertainment professionals from outside of Malone College graciously gave of their time, effort & energy to watch these student films, many offering comments and feedback for student filmmakers. Thanks Jurors! We're grateful.

Stay tuned to the blog, as we'll introduce the jury as the week leading up to the festival proceeds.

We will award 12 awards this year (as always), and the categories of the awards will include some traditional awards, but will also include some specific awards selected by the jury based on the unique strengths demonstrated by these filmmakers.

Three awards are pre-determined: Best Film, Audience Award & Best Promotional Campaign (a new award this year!).

Open Frame This Friday!

2009-04-18T13:14:00.002-04:00

The seventh annual OPEN FRAME STUDENT FILM FEST will be held this Friday night, April 24th, at 10 p.m. in the Johnson Center Chapel at Malone University.

This year's fest will include 12 student produced short films - a total viewing experience of 2 hours. While admission is free, doors will open at 9:15, and in recent years, we've been so filled that some have been turned away. Be sure you come early to find a place to sit.

And bring a pillow, because most of the seating is floor seating!

A short awards ceremony will follow the films.