May 1, 2000 Vol. IV, No. 15

CSUN Student Films Honored at Annual Film Showcase

Best Work of R-TV-F Film Production Students is Screened at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Theater

Fay Kanin, a former Academy Award-winning writer and past president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, delivered an inspiring and encouraging introduction to the film showcase held at the academy's theater before an audience of several hundred.

"Our annual student film showcase in a highpoint in our ability to present our most outstanding student films to the professional world," said R-TV-F Department chair Judith Marlane. The films selected are the best of each year's senior projects by film production-emphasis students.

The five films were chosen by a three-member panel of R-TV-F faculty members: assistant professor Bob Gustafson, professor John Schultheiss and assistant professor Jon Stahl. Professor Frederick Kuretski was the showcase director, and the students' project instructor was professor Temma Kramer.

Kramer said, "This showcase is a bridge between our students' academic life and their professional life. It's also a way for them to present their work in a dignified professional environment for the public to view, and to begin making industry contacts."

The senior project films often take the students from several semesters to up to two years to complete, and can cost as much as $15,000 apiece. This year, most of a $20,000 scholarship from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was shared among the film teams to help defray their costs.

The film titles, the principal students, and brief descriptions follow:

• "Life's Rich Pageant and the Naked Ape." Director, editor, writer James Ricker. A man down and out in a pool hall discovers the present can be more important than the past.
• "Moment of Truth." Director Mario Layco. The story of a convicted man in search of truth makes a statement against capital punishment.
• "Through Thick and Thin." Director, writer Layla Mashavu Sewell. A couple's relationship is put to the test by multiple sclerosis.
• "Cry of a Child." Director, writer J. Manuel Hebron. A story of a woman who has a spiritual relationship with her aborted child.
• "Machina." Director, editor, writer Manfred Merchan. A young man learns the monotony of the city and the loss of hope can lead to tragedy.

Former AMPAS president Fay Kanin (center) flanked by faculty members Temma Kramer (left) and Judith Marlane (right).

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