Great Experience!

After all of the interviewing, writing, turkey eating, and now reflecting on this feature I can say that I came out pleasantly surprised by the whole experience.

I started off thinking this school didn't have any involvement in film. But after the research I can say GPC is doing the best possible job at encouraging students to follow film.

Each faculty member and student was great to work with and enthusiastic about their current standing.

As I state in my feature, I only see a bright future for GPC and film.

Now enjoy your exclusive look at the extended web version of my feature!

http://gpcinema.blogspot.com/2010/12/gpc-and-filhttp://gpcinema.blogspot.com/2010/12/gpc-and-film-grow-closer-together.htmlm-grow-closer-.html

Stay tuned to see what the new direction of this blog and I hope you all have a great Holiday!

GPC and Film Grow Closer Together

Student Starring in Theatrical Film

Journalism major Bonita Etete had a major role in the film “The Art of Deception,” which was filmed in Atlanta. This was the first starring role for the second year student, and I had a chance to sit down with Bonita and discuss the film and her experience at Perimeter. 

“Deception,” which became popular through promotion and the trailer, had more than 12,000 hits on Youtube. The movie is part of a niche in filmmaking known as Nollywood. Nollywood is derived from the country Nigeria, which is where the filmmakers within Nollywood are from.

When asking Bonita about her project, she was excited about the experience. Elaborating by saying she’s an “artsy baby,” enjoying anything creative. Though Bonita had a great time acting, her real passion is writing, as she is currently writing two books. 

Bonita got connected to the film through a coworker who wanted to get the movie made, and Bonita would joke around saying, “Make sure you put me in the film!” Eventually her coworker, Peter Uko, who directed the film asked her to come and star. About making the film she said the process certainly had its “ups and downs” but she would “do it all over again.” She commented on acting and any creative avenue saying its all a learning process, which led to her revealing her favorite part of working on the film was watching the playbacks after scenes were shot so she could learn and adapt as she went along. 

Bonita later addressed any student looking for careers in film and creative arts to “love what you do-be true to yourself.” 

Faculty Gives Thoughts on School and Film

To gain further insight on the current state of film involvement between students and faculty, Paul Gaustad, who has been teaching at Perimeter for ten years now, was interviewed to discover more.

Regarding the school’s level of encouragement towards students, Gaustad said that Perimeter is “very encouraging for students to do anything.” But he added that the school is “transient.” He says the biggest problem with creating a larger film scene at the school is getting students to stay at the school after class to watch and discuss films.

On whether or not there will ever be filmmaking classes at GPC, Gaustad said that this school isn’t one to focus on getting students started in such a focused career. But he did go on to say that Atlanta is a great city in which to start a filmmaking career with all of the studios and projects coming to this city. 

Though he gave such a level of insight into filmmaking, Gaustad stated that he is strictly a “film historian” because film changed his life. Saying that film “exposed things he couldn’t see on his own.” Movies also helped him to learn English when he moved to America. But he never expected to create a career out of his love for film. 

Gaustad started his career with film by writing a book on blaxploitation, which is a popular sub-genre from the 70’s. He then found out that GPC was looking for a film teacher, and decided to try it out. He quickly found he had a “nack for it, a talent for it, and an incredible love for it.” 

Gaustad also gave advice to students, saying that, “If you love something, you will do it for fun, and a career will form.” 

For further perspective, Humanities Department head Larry Peck, was questioned on the subject of GPC and film as well. 

While most of his answers fell in line with Gaustad’s consistently, he was able to give a larger scope to observe from. Peck gave an accurate amount of students who do have an interest in film. 

I was pleasantly surprised when he told me the film classes at GPC are “usually the first to fill up.”  There has also been “good turnouts” to recent film related lectures held at the campus. All of this is clear evidence that students are quite passionate about film.

Regarding the classes, Peck said that over the years the school has continued to add more courses since he started at GPC 6 years ago. 

Peck believes this rise in popularity is due to the appeal film has. Stating that these are “one of the more attractive courses” at the school. 

When asked about what could the school improve on, his first answer was better equipment for the classrooms. But later said that perhaps the advisors could give more guidance to students looking in creative careers. Peck also said that a benefit of GPC is that, “The instructors encourage students individually in class.” 

Starter School Great For Any Career

In order to go full circle on this investigation, I decided to interview a fellow student who also has a creative mind to gain another student angle. 

Vivian Byrd, who is a Journalism major, but looking to major in Public Relations once she transfers to a larger school was that angle. What was most memorable from talking to her, was what she said about the schools encouragement. She enthusiastically described how the school is encouraging. 

Vivian was particularly glad with the experience she had with teachers. Saying they “took their personal time to help me and talk about my future and what I have to do and what I can do.” She emphasized that statement by saying those teachers made a “huge impact” on her while at GPC. 

It is great to see that Vivian’s and Peck’s answers were similar when it came to the schools strengths. I believe that in the near future this school will greatly improve upon what is already a supportive environment for students in the creative field.

So if you love film, and fear that you will not be able to keep your dream job, do not take what Gaustad or Etete said for granted. Make sure you find your passion and pursue until you find what you love to do no matter what that may be. 

Local student's film premiering this weekend

This saturday, The film The Art of Deception will be premiering. The film stars and is produced by GPC student Bonita Etete.

Bonita will also be interviewed as part of a feature on GPC's involvement on the film scene. Other interviewees will be teacher Paul Gaustad, who is a veteran of film studies. 

The film will premiere at the Plaza Theatre and tickets are fifteen dollar in advance and twenty at the door.

Now check out the trailer below! 

You and the GPC Film Festival

You and GPC Film Festival 

With the last post regarding the first entry in the GPC film festival next semester, what films would you like to see at the festival?

With each film only being ten minutes you must think outside the box in terms of what you like to see.

Short films can be quite great films when done properly. Just take a look at any of the Pixar shorts that accompany each major release.

Over the years short films have also been great showcases for stars such as Gerard Butler of "300" in the movie "PLEASE!"

Short Films have also been able to grow into feature length films such as last years animated film"9" and the runaway scifi hit "District 9."

These small time movies are a great avenue for artistic expression and is a great start for GPC to bring into light.

Here is the brilliant "PLEASE!"

GCA Student Film Festival has its first entry

The GCA Film Festival has began to take off with its first entry. With an entry this early in the festival preparation things are looking good for this festival's 3rd year in existence.

There is only so much that can be speculated this early, but last years festival had quite an increase of entries over the first year of the festival. The first year only had 3 entries, while the previous year saw 15 entries.

This is even further evidence of the growing attention and popularity of film at GPC.

As many people as possible should be making a film for this festival. Not only does it have the potential to be a fun experience but there are prizes for the best judged films.

Since the first year there has been a first through third place prize for entries. First place receives $100, second place earns $75 and third place gets $50.

The time span is also convenient since entries are not due till January 17th, which leaves plenty of time during the Christmas holiday to make a film.

This is a festival that should grow each year and possibly become one of the most popular activities on campus. It is up to the students to help great opportunities such as this grow.

This also isnt a terribly time consuming affair either since each film can only be at most 10 minutes long.

The school's involvement in film has grown!

Recently I came across information that there will be a lecture by journalist and documentarian Bailey Barash about how to make a documentary.

The lecture will take place on November tenth from 11:30-12:45 on the Dunwoody Campus.

The is a great start for Perimeter to start pulling in potentially future film makers here at GPC. They still have a way to go since there aren't any film making classes currently available for students, but if they continue having lectures and perhaps even workshops, that could be enough to get students to beckon for more classes focusing on film and primarily film making.

Education in film making here in Georgia is growing ever more relevant due to the booming popularity in film making in Atlanta. There have already been several big budget films shot here and there are production studios soon building new sound stages and studios here to further that popularity.

If GPC picks up on this popularity then they have a potential gold mine of new students of recognition available for them!