While many film school students hope to have their films
screened in theaters, KCET is trying to expand its aspirations,
although to a smaller screen.
Throughout the month of August, KCET has been showcasing the
work of perhaps the next Lucas or Zemeckis as well as other student
filmmakers in the series “Fine Cut: A Festival of Student
Film.”
Hosted by Academy and Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein
and Jeffrey Friedman, “Fine Cut” exhibits an array of
live-action and animated short films from students who have
attended various California universities, including UCLA.
Of over 200 films submitted by various film school deans and
professors, only 22 films made the cut. Five UCLA students, Chris
Eska, Tamara Maloney, Joel Sanchez, Xochitl Gonzalez and David
Ottenhouse, are among the student filmmakers chosen to
participate.
“Of the 200 films that hit me, I started putting them in a
pile and started narrowing those down. Every film is unique and
some of them touch your heart,” said “Fine Cut”
executive producer Bohdan Zachary.
Zachary also stresses the importance of providing student
filmmakers with an avenue to exhibit their work.
“These are the filmmakers who are working very hard to go
to the next step,” he said. “We are not Sundance, but
it is a great opportunity to showcase the best of our community
films.”
Funded by the Bridges/Larson Foundation, the series was designed
to breed and nurture student filmmakers. Entering its seventh
season, “Fine Cut” has annually displayed the finest of
student films.
Many of this year’s student films are also available on
the KCET Web site, where Web surfers can both view the films and
post responses on new message boards. UCLA student Eska’s
“Doki Doki” has received a positive response from
viewers on the boards.
“(Zachary) said it has the biggest response of all the
films they’ve had,” Eska said.
The response to “Doki Doki” has been so strong that
it will be screened on its own on KCET in November and
December.
“I got 10-15 positive postings, and then I started getting
a lot of personal e-mails from people wanting copies,” Eska
said.
The exposure for student filmmakers that “Fine Cut”
provides is both unique and much needed. Unlike independent
filmmakers, students are often so busy with classes that they are
not able to fully promote their work.
“The great thing about being on a KCET “˜Fine
Cut’ series is the potential viewers that watch the
films,” comments Zachary.
“The exposure for brand new students who are unfamiliar to
the film scene is great. Our formula works,” he added.
Already funded for another season next year, “Fine
Cut” will continue to offer students an opportunity to have
their work seen, even if it is in someone’s living room.
Check out www.kcet.org for schedules, to view the films or
to post a response.