7th annual Controlled Chaos Film Festival set for May 1 at WCU

From a press release:

7th annual Controlled Chaos Film Festival set for May 1 at WCU

CULLOWHEE – Films created by Western Carolina University students will be screened at the seventh annual Controlled Chaos Film Festival in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 1.

The festival, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature short works in a range of genres created by students from the Film and Television Production Program and the School of Stage and Screen.

“It’s our premiere,” said Kasey N. Summers, event organizer and senior from Phillipsburg, N.J. “We all dream of having polished work on the big screen, and this is the opportunity to celebrate the hours of hard work put in by each student. From horror movies to silent films, our top-notch programs encourage film lovers to come experience the talent, art and entertainment they’ve come to expect from Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen.”

The senior thesis short films “Lost Soles” and “Cold Coffee” will be featured at the event.

“Lost Soles,” a dark comedy, introduces Neil Garrison, an unassuming college freshman who has his world turned upside down when the search for a missing shoe turns into more than he could have possibly anticipated. With the help of his childhood friend Gideon, Neil is faced with a decision that will change his life — for better or worse.

“Being the director of photography, or DP, for ‘Lost Soles’ was one of the greatest learning experiences I’ve encountered,” said senior Samantha Hunt. “You really have to throw yourself into the filmmaking process. At first, I was definitely worried that I wouldn’t be able to understand the full work ethic of being a DP. However, by the time we wrapped, I ended up walking away with so much more confidence and knowledge, especially after working with such a talented and supportive crew.”

The second film, “Cold Coffee,” is based on the theme that the day after a break-up is always the hardest. The dramatic comedy follows college student and resident assistant Gwen Easton as she goes through the first 24 hours after heartbreak.

For the Controlled Chaos Film Festival, students raised between $4,000 and $6,000 to create each senior project, filmed and shot with a state-of-the-art F65 CineAlta camera that was donated to WCU by Sony.

“Working on the Sony-donated F65 was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said camera operator Nicole Baskin. “To work with such quality and clarity was challenging and expanded my skills. I hope to one day work with the F65 professionally.”

Advance tickets to the Controlled Chaos Film Festival can be purchased for $10 each in the School of Stage and Screen office located on the second floor of the Stillwell Building in Room 233. Tickets are $10 cash at the door. Proceeds and donations benefit the Motion Picture Student Project Fund, which helps students with the cost of creating their senior thesis films.

For more information, contact Jack Sholder, director of the Film and Television Production Program at 828-227-2324 or jsholder@wcu.edu.