12B The Michigan Daily Weeken Magazine - Thursday, December 4, 1997 0 0 The Michigan Daily Weekend Msaiii 2 Film Feature First-year students leave A with new noti 'Farm' provides open range for new class of student filmmakers By Matthew Barrett Daily Arts Writer Now that the football team has fin- ished its regular season, Saturdays are seeming pretty bleak to Michigan stu- de4-. And with finals just around the corner, many Wolverines areP tempted to study the night away - this is one weekend when you shouldn't. If you opt to hide in some place like, say the library, you'll miss the first annual "Film Farm," a showcase of short, stu- dent-made motion pictures. According to M-Flicks Co- President Shahaf Abileah, "Film Farm" is the biggest project that his fledgling student-run organization has tackled to date. "(Students should go because it willl a wonderful mix said. Designed as REVIEW Film Farm Saturday at 8 p.m. Nat. Sc. Auditorium Admission $2 be) tons of fun with of films," Abileah a place for any Michigan stu- dent to show- case his or her own movie pro- duction, "Film Farm" is the brainchild of roommates and University students Jef Cozza and Nathan Oliver, both LSA sopho- mores. Each of the included produc- tions involve at least one member of the University's student body. "The general idea behind 'Film Farm' is that film without an audience is not art," Oliver said. So he and Cozza founded "Film Farm" in order to display student work that often goes unnoticed. Oliver and Cozza knew that there were many students making movies who were not involved in the University's Program in Film and Video Studies. Considering the gener- al lack of other film festivals on cam- pus, they founded "Film Farm" so that there would be a venue where student productions could be viewed by and shared with fellow students. Several departments at the University show student films, but usually such screenings are either for members of a particular department, or are poorly publicized and thus poorly attended. "Film Farm" on the other hand is open to all students who are interested in see- ing their classmates' work. The festival figures to have some- thing for everyone, ranging from live- action comedies to the completely ani- mated "Infestation." Drawing inspira- tion from animator Oshii Mamoru and working with pens, paper, colored pen- cils and a computer, LSA senior Dave Cole and his partner K.C. worked more than four months to complete the three-minute movie about an ant that is sent to raid a rival ant farm. While three minutes may seem like a drop in the bucket, Cole assured that it is a very long time for an animated movie. Animation appealed to Cole because he felt that it would be "a lot easier to animate things from a foreign world," and it would offer him more OPEN MON-SAT 9:30.7:30 SUNdays I12-b 3; 13.434.89 5 talents at "Film Farm." artistic license. Cole thinks that "Film Farm" is a great avenue for student movie makers to have their work seen by others. He also noted that the festival will appeal to anyone who likes cinema and that peo- ple should take advantage of the oppor- tunity to see the work of local artists. Another popular addition is "Baby Seal." At 25-minutes, it is by far the fes- tival's longest film. "Baby Seal" stars and was written and directed by stu- dents Mike Massie and Matt Reichl. It is the story of two friends who set out to make a movie about a third friend, and 1878i WASIIICNAW Av/Yj)SilANii/ONf Miff[EAST of US 2'11 FOUNIAiN SQUARI SltOPpiNj CfNuCR was done for a film class in 16-mm for approximately $2.500. Massie, an LSA senior who also served as the producer of the movie, helped to raise the neces- sary funds for the production. But "Baby Seal" won't be up for the four categories of awards (Best Story for a Screenplay, Most Original Film, Best Cinematography and Best of Festival) that the audience will select at the end of the two-and-a-half-hour pro- gram. Still, most of the other featured films will be in competition. So if you're tired of the typical and predictable movies that Hollywood has been turning out lately, stop by and see what some of your fellow stu- dents have to offer. Who knows, maybe you'll find a little slice of cine- matic gold. By, Kerri A. Murphy For the Daily It's that time of year again - Thanksgiving has come and gone, and winter break is just a few finals away. First-year students are on the brink of having completed their first semester of college, and presumably are anxious to go home. Many out-of-state students have made travel arrangements months in advance; parents and friends of in-state students await phone calls to find out just how early their first-year students can make it home. For some first-year students, Thanksgiving was the first time in months that they were able to see fam- ily and friends and their hometowns. But whether or not Thanksgiving break was their first time at home, going home seemed to produce the same effects. "It's a pretty mixed reception," said Rhiannon Biddick, an LSA first-year student. "Everyone's glad to see you, but at the same time everyone realizes that you are leading your own life now and are just a visitor." Dan Kersten, also an LSA first-year student, had a similar experience during his first time home. "I felt out of place, but happy to see everyone" Kersten said. Initially, going home can be a little strange. Suddenly the old bedroom seems a little less cozy and a little more temporary. Some students begin to refer to the residence hall as "home," when talking about college with family and friends. "I've caught myself referring to my dorm room as home, but I don't neces- sarily consider it my home," said Megan Watkins, an LSA first-year stu- dent. "It's more of an in-between thing." Families inevitably move on despite the new absence of students, and this may seem disconcerting. But awkward or not, students said home will always provide some basic comforts that the dorm just cannot achieve. "I love the fact that I am going to see my friends, sleep in my own bed and not have to wear shoes in the shower," said LSA first-year student Rachel Whitman. Additionally, family and friends are there to share the holidays and all the new memories and crazy stories of "the college experience." Simple. everyday tasks like driving a car and sleeping in one's own bed arc renewed. Christmas Carol Service led by the students of the U/niversity Reformed Church Sunday, December 7th 7 pm University Reformed Church 1001 Huron - Central Campus Parking on E. Ann St. 06 -3153 "I think the best thing about going home is just doing the normal everyday stuff I did before I came to college," said Mark Powers, an LSA first-year student. Who knew before they came to col- lege that such simple routines and habits could become such luxuries? As LSA first-year student Keirsten Meacham said, "You learn to appreciate things you used to take for granted." Some students felt that life outside of Ann Arbor had stopped. Many learn, however, that new songs have in fact been released, global affairs have changed and famous people have died. As they return home, they realize that the world is still going around and first- year students are temporarily re- engaged with current events. After the hustle and bustle of the first few months of college, where spare time for most becomes a rarity, doing "nothing" in the comfort of one's own home can be more appealing than ever. On the other hand, going home for the holidays can be stressful as well as peaceful. Pressures to see old friends and relatives and take care of old busi- ness, such as doctor's appointments, puts a damper on the thrill and novelty of being home. Accordingly, some stu- dents like to go home at less hectic times of the year. "I like going home after the first month better because I don't. feel oblig- ated to contact all of my friends, which allows me to relax," Kersten said. Residence hall living also has entic- ing qualities that make many first-year students eager to return to school. "I am going to miss the wide array of foods in the dorms - especially the frozen yogurt,"Whitman said, "and see- ing my friends just feet away from my door." Socializing isn't a weekend phenom- enon at college, many first-year stu- dents quickly learn, but a seven-days-a- week, 24-hours-a-day occurrence. This freedom is both liberating and exhila- rating, and is an element of college that first-year students miss when they head home. LIKE NORTH CAMPUS? YOU'LL LOVE WILLOWTREE! 1 and 2 bedrooms Plenty of Free parking Now leasing for Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall WILLOWTREE APARTMENTS 769-1313 Look for us at the U-M Housing Fair! EHO "I kind of miss the dorms. I stay up a lot later here than I would at home just hanging out," Powers said. "Going home is not something I real- ly look forward to, especially for the summer, because there just isn't as much to do as in A'," said Anna Spencer, an LSA first-year student. Going home seems to be a necessity, a break from the fast-paced c world. The excitement of seein friends is relaxing and appealing the new life away from home wit friends can be even more so. "I don't think anyone appre how good a friend they have unti see them for the first time in m You realize how lucky you are Want to talk about ... Affirmative Action " Domestic violence " Interracial Relationships " Coming out " Self segregation " Police harrassment " Sexual harrassment " Sexual assault * Religion & homosexuality " Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals & transgendered people teaching children " Minority lounges " Being asked out to dinner when you can't afford it " Body image " Difficulty talking to people who are not like you . Cultural organizations on campus " "Diversity" at U of M + Being misunderstood by men or women * Having three jobs Take Psychology/Sociology 122 Wednesdays 3-5 Intergroup Dialogues are 2-credit classes where you can ask and answer these and other questions. Coursework includes journals, interactive exercises, discussion and other forms of learning. Discussion is facilitated by students. Winter semester dialogues include: People of Color & White People " Women & Men " Lesbians, Gay Men, Bisexuals & Heterosexuals * And more ... FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: IGRCC, 3000 MICHIGAN UNION, 936-1875 IGRCC@UMICH.EDU & juggling classes when other students don't " Parties broken up " Campus chalkings erased . Campus activism - The same people always dominating discussion " Scholarships + Treating women and men differently e Being tokenized " Having mostly White professors * Stares . Being asked, What are you? Keirsten Meacham grins at the thought of returning to her real 'home' for wir Hallelljah i I UOD i Hf f HfM S oldest holida IS' co irn. tradition... I Handel s Messiah Saturday, December e p.1. Sunday. December 7, 2 P. . HILL AUDITORIUM Ann Arbor Symphony orchestra UMS Choral Vnion Thomas Sheets, conductor Nicole Heaston, soprano David Daniels, countertenor John Aler, tenor Nathan Berg, baritone