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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1999)
Production company pays actors with beer LOCAL from page? ~ Park. Roughly 40 people attended the first screening. ^ “For an 11-iPinute movie, that’s pretty good,” Haufschild said - Jackman said “Eternal Struggle” is the film they get the most feedback on. “Tfcatfc kind of our big one”he said. The film'is also {he subject of a mystery. Minary said an acquaintance of the group told them he saw “Eternal Struggle” when it was mown before a film in a Seattle theater. “The kid described exactly what shots were in die movie and what shots weren’t,” Minary said. The members of Plainview said no . print ofthe film had been sent anywhere near Seattle by any of them, and they dcm’t know how it endedup there. No mysterious prints have turned up for Plainview’s second film, “Cable,” but the filmmakers are proud of it, any way. The film boasts a 10-person cast and a 30-minute running time, and it was a lot harder to make, they said. Getting everyone’s schedules worked out when the actors knew they weren’t going to be paid was tough, Haufschild said. “They don’t like to hear that they have to show up at 8 (am) on Sundays,’’ ^ he said. “It’s good that they’re qut friends. We paid them in pizza beer” f. He said the film was slightly more mainstream and dialogue-driven tfian “The Eternal Struggle.” i “It’s related to our generative* Minary said. “How we’ve grown iqp^pn TV with TV in our minds.” vj-gf, Haufschild said they wrote the char acters to be played by peoplethey knew. “Cable” was screened at Rogues Gallery, but italmost didn’t happen. The bar, which is usually closed on Sundays, was going to hold a special Sundry all ages screening of the film. An hour before the snow, Haufschild said, the owner called and told him the show had to be canceled because the bar couldn’t, hold an all-ages event. Haufschild' - talked him into holding the screening, but it had to be for an audience 21 and older. The show was held, and 40 to 50 . Fit l FILMS from page 6 fe audiences who buy the tickets. “They don’t lock at us as individu als. They look at us as money machines,” she said. “Going to the movies now is like a series of bad Hind dates, a blind date you don’t want to talk about” Foster said all is not lost She said most of her students were tired of stale films and ready for something new. “People are already, turning around,” site said. “Even my least informed students are tired of Hollywood product” v . .. Ladely agreed with Foster some f: what but said he was mare optimistic about die state of independent film mal^. shooting f on films and actors and has beat it film dep#rtio^%nd scene,” Ladely said. “Audiences have gone to that side. Them are fewer and Lately said the cheaper digital technology would help independent filmmakers get their storieato^pub “As long as thatfs free aul open, it makes for a much better society,” he said. “When things are expensive, they’re controlled by a few people.” Ladely said he hopes film becomes a more accessible medium in the next millennium. “What I’m really enjoying, and what I want to see more of, is accessi bility,” he said. “It’s just been a white man’s game. That’s changing slowly, but not fast enough for me. People of color, you don’t see than as executives. That’s got to change. Gays and lesbians are making some ofthe best films right now.” While Ladely, Foster and Mason all expressed discontent with the Hollywood system, they were opti mistic about many films and filmmak ers, both independent and mainstream. All three mentioned Payne, an Omaha native and director of “Election” and “Citizen Ruth,” as a beacon of hope. Payne has used Otpgha talent on both his cast and crew and has been able to get widespread distribution for his smart, offbeat and personal films. rlhey also mentioned other rays of light. “One that’s impressed me is Harmony Korine,” Ladely said about the writer of “Kids” and director of “Gummo” and “Julien Donkey-Boy.” “‘Gummo’ was incredible. He’s not somebody who makes it easy for the viewer.” Mason said Woody Allen is some one who continues to push the enve lope and try to do new things. She also Mall.DailyNe* j^^JforHuske^ _g mentioned Omaha filmmakers like Andy Anderson and the Northsea Productions company. Foster said films such as “La Promesse,” “The Cruise” and “Run Lola Run” boded well for die future. “‘Rim Lola Run’ signals a whole new type of filmmaking. It’s free of narrative conventions and invites the audience to be more participatory.” Things may be changing at the cineplex, too. With smart, original films such as “American Beauty” and “Being John MaJkovich” gaining widespread distribution, big studios may be more willing to take a chance on small films with good stories. And there’s always undiscovered talent Future filmmakers are out there, writing the scripts and shooting the footage for the classics of tomorrow. “Go for it,” Foster said. “Make these films. Pick up a digital camera. They’re cheap.” w ■ I ■ I NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED - Most brands are available. 17th& N St 476-9466" ■ OIL CHANGE SERVICE ■ '.i ' iuo si!*- >i< ■ . y . 'tm* ® ^ -■ ’ 7 ■ i too bad ars. Maybe one day we will sell cars, food and everything else you need. But right now, it's great deals on textbooks every day. You can save up to 40%, and you'll get your boob in 1 to 3 days. Not that you would, but don't sweat using a credit card. VarsityBoob.com is 100% guaranteed secure. Try saying that about a new SUV. SAVE UP TO 40% ON TEXTBOOKS.