STAFF EDITORIAL
Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: Commentary
At UD we live in a literary world. Ancient epics, the Bard's tragedies and comedies, and those novels that make up the literary canon give us a chance to escape into highly realized worlds, most of them period pieces that leave us mildly affected. Some of us wish we could find a time machine because we suddenly find ourselves better fit for a life of matchmaking in an English manor or giving it a go as a sailor, grim about the mouth, whenever we find that our souls are dark, like a damp, drizzly, November.
We all like to imagine these alternate lives for ourselves; we all have a private picture of said lives in mind. However, mention the word film, dare mention the phrase "film version," and you are likely to encounter eyes of suspect and derision. You see, in a place where we find ourselves submerged in the high arts, film is, well, rather low.
Sure, from time to time one comes across a class devoted to film, like the Woody Allen course offered this semester, but come now, it's a class on Woody Allen. All smart people love Woody Allen (or at least are supposed to). And yes, we all watch movies, some of us even venture out into the art scene snubbing our noses at those grand, blockbusting cineplexes, preferring those oh-so-cozy, oh-so-hip indie movie houses. Despite our movie-going interests UD lacks direction when it comes to cultivating this medium, this art. That is, until now.
This spring UD is having its first ever film competition. Short films from the current student body will be accepted, judged, and a grand prize will be awarded. One must be curious though. What will the films be about, on what criteria will they be judged, who's doing the film making, and where are the actors? Well, finding actors can't be too difficult, a well-known band of thespians sits around at the cap bar everyday, and look around the mall. Affectation abounds. UD itself is rife with tales just waiting to be told.
When all is said and done the competition should be a success. That is, if we can all manage to pull our noses from pages, live in the present, and allow the possibility of imaginative interpretations of life other than our own.
We all like to imagine these alternate lives for ourselves; we all have a private picture of said lives in mind. However, mention the word film, dare mention the phrase "film version," and you are likely to encounter eyes of suspect and derision. You see, in a place where we find ourselves submerged in the high arts, film is, well, rather low.
Sure, from time to time one comes across a class devoted to film, like the Woody Allen course offered this semester, but come now, it's a class on Woody Allen. All smart people love Woody Allen (or at least are supposed to). And yes, we all watch movies, some of us even venture out into the art scene snubbing our noses at those grand, blockbusting cineplexes, preferring those oh-so-cozy, oh-so-hip indie movie houses. Despite our movie-going interests UD lacks direction when it comes to cultivating this medium, this art. That is, until now.
This spring UD is having its first ever film competition. Short films from the current student body will be accepted, judged, and a grand prize will be awarded. One must be curious though. What will the films be about, on what criteria will they be judged, who's doing the film making, and where are the actors? Well, finding actors can't be too difficult, a well-known band of thespians sits around at the cap bar everyday, and look around the mall. Affectation abounds. UD itself is rife with tales just waiting to be told.
When all is said and done the competition should be a success. That is, if we can all manage to pull our noses from pages, live in the present, and allow the possibility of imaginative interpretations of life other than our own.