Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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'THEY SAID IT PONTATT TT^ igor Stravinsky: "The trouble with music LiUIN liAU 1 Uk3 appreciation in general is that people are Story ideas? Questions? Comments? ta^ght t0 h3™1™ ^ respect for music. E-mail us at gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com They sbould be taught t0 love 11 instead J } •* Six independent filmmakers get together to producefive mini films, each one specializing on one of the human senses. Making “Sense” Filmmaker Wade Sellers demonstrates to an actor what to do in a particular scene. One of the final shots from the film is at right. HMm BY TUG BAKER THE GAMECOCK Some of the best ideas come from a gathering of friends just sitting down and talking. Such was the case for Hybrid Films, Columbia’s new not-for profit independent film company. A group of filmmakers were just talking and, suddenly, one idea led to another cum iiy ui m v umo w as uui u. Hybrid Films premiers its first independent production, “Sense,” * at the Nickelodeon Theater on jHHj Tuesday. Combining the ef forts of six differ- gJlH ent filmmakers over a year and MSgl a half in the wH making, “Sense” features five short films, where each di rector takes on one of the five sens es: “Touch” by Colin Penny, “Smell” by Lynn Cornfoot, “Hearing” by Tim and Tony Cargioli, “Sight” by Heidi Melhtretter-Sneath and “Taste” by Wade Sellers. Sellers explains that “working to gether is easy” for the group of film makers because they’re all friends. They met as students in USC’s Media Arts Department, and even k. mougn some nave niuveu away qk from South Carolina, they all ^k have remained well-greased fj^k wheels on the independent %B| film scene in Columbia. According to Mehltret Jg ter-Sneath, Columbia, which is full of “great lo JR cations” and “a lot of sup wKU port,” remains an un ir1 tapped well for underground filmmaking. The filmmakers also agreed that something that set Columbia apart from other cities was the lack of moan-cniritari competition. Instead, the mem bers of Hybrid Films see Columbia as a place of boundless opportunities. Sellers said, “We get to build it into whatever we want it to be.” As for the film itself, producer Michael Conklin describes Sense as “a thrill ride... so ambiguous that every one can take something different away from it.” Sellers and Mehltretter Sneath agree and point out that “the film got very dark” the more the indi vidual filmmakers got into their pro jects. All of the films are very individual and unrelated, but they create a cohe sive flow together. None is portrayed as literal translations of the five sens es, but instead, they use various film making techniques to convey each sense in a real and meaningful way. Sellers describes the film as a show case of the varying talents of each di rector, calling it “a good example of the individual style of professional filmmakers in Columbia.” While the film itself is destined to be fascinating, the most important part about “Sense” is the solidarity and enthusiasm of independent film makers here in Columbia. As Mehltretter-Sneath describes it, “We have a desire to further independent films. Why keep it to ourselves?” As essential as it is to have a group of filmmakers so dedicated to the cause of cultivating culture here in Columbia, it is equally important for there to be an audience to support them in the'ir endeavors. The members of Ik Hybrid Films all ex fllk pressed a great in- . ■L terest in finding a A common ground between the different types of artists in Columbia, including writ ers, visual artists, actors and musi cians, and using their pooled efforts to produce an explosion of culture like Columbia has never seen. “Sense” marks the beginning of this revolution, and the filmmakers hope that the community will see it for what it is: an opportunity to “en courage growth, educate, and train” an untouched potential here in Columbia. In keeping with this ide al, Hybrid Films has stated that “Sense” is only the kickoff for a cal endar of events coming up this year. At the movie’s premiere, there will be a wine-and-cheese reception start ing at 5:30 p.m., followed by the first showing at 7 p.m.. This first showing will be followed by a quest ion-and-an swer session with all of the Hybrid filmmakers at 8 p.m. The second screening will begin at 9 p.m. and be followed by a party at the Art Bar fea turing local act Don Bravado. The cost is $12 for the reception and the first screening and $6 for the second screen ing This film represents the progeny of a new breed of culture here in Columbia, so don’t miss out on your chance to be one of the first to witness it. Years from now, you will be able to say, “I was there when...” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockmixeditor(a>hotmail.com THEATER REVIEW '■ : ""TH Play delivers self-ajjirming message “A RAISIN IN THE SUN” Written by Lorraine Hansberry ★★★★ out of*-fr*<nIr BY RACHEL BEATTY THE GAMECOCK Well-dressed theater patrons packed Workshop Theatre on Friday night, excitedly waiting to see the opening night of an American theater classic. Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” is a moving story built around the common theme of dreams evolving through the turns of everyday life. These particular dreams belong to the Youngers, a low-income, African-American family living in 1950s Chicago. As the curtains were drawn, the set emerged and automatically showed what kind of life this family was living. The apartment appeared oppressive - brown, run-down and cramped - and certainly not a comfortable place for a family of five to live in. As each character was introduced, their individual personalities became apparent. The dreams of each character were varied but still tied together within the family unit. The cast worked as a family well and worked seamlessly together, with one exception: Georgia Graham’s performance as Lena Younger, the matriarch of the family, was halting. Present in the most dynamic scenes, and the speaker of some of the most important lines, her performance seemed strained and her lines often mypnbled. There were several instances in which she Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” is a moving story built around the common theme of dreams evolving through the turns of everyday life. seemed to forget her lines, and her bad delivery and over-the-top approach to the more dramatic scenes made her performance the only bad spot in the whole play. This, however, did not detract from the overall strength of the play. The rest of the players handled the humorous lines with a light touch and emotionally charged scenes even lighter. Darion McCloud’s rendition of Walter Lee Younger was dynamic; he handled the complexities of the character with breathtaking tenderness. The other highlight of the evening was Leasharn Hopkins as Ruth Younger. She took the role of the tired housewife head-on to create a heartbreaking character. Greg Leevy’s direction was impeccable. The onstage movements seemed natural and subtly showed what a family in such an environment does with everyday chores and mannerisms. The desperation of their lives was evident, though not thrown in the viewer’s face. The cast allowed the patrons to truly feel along with the characters; it was very easy for audience mepibers to desire what the characters desired, to want what the characters wanted, and to hurt when the characters hurt. Even for a viewer who has never read or seen the play before, it was easy to follow and a moving experience. The play presented a moral of sorts for anyone who watched it. It is a story of holding up J personal convictions and being ^ proud of one’s background, no matter how poor or outcast. This message was conveyed well through sets, atmosphere and the players onstage. “A Raisin in the Sun” is well worth anyone’s time, especially at Workshop Theatre. rHOIO BY (iKtli LttV'l arlon McCloud and Leashaun Hopkins portray Walker Lee Younger and Ruth Younger In A Raisin In the Sun,” playing at Workshop Theater. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockmixeditor@hotmail.com If you’re going... WHAT: “A Raisin in the Sun" WHERE: Workshop Theatre, 1136 Bull St. WHEN: Feb. 5-9,12-13 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. BOX OFFICE: 799-6551 TICKETS: $13 for adults and $11 for students, seniors and c active military.