Visiting documentarian workshops with students

Kyle Henry, director and professor of editing at the University of Texas, visited the University of Toledo on Friday to present his film “University Inc.” (1999). He also conducted a workshop on creating films with students. Laura Dunn’s “Subtext of a Yale Education” and Henry’s “University Inc.” concluded the documentary film series presented by the University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film. This event was a free opportunity for students and the public to have open discourse about the moral and social responsibilities of universities; as well to address the corporate practices that have impacted the universities and their students.

Henry’s documentary was provoked by the close of the Texas Union film program. With fellow students, he explored how this event was the result of the ‘corporatization’ of universities that is ultimately influenced by greed and bottom line profits. Dunn’s “Subtext of a Yale Education” displayed the difficulties of Yale employees from the union Locals 34 and 35 to secure a new contract and defeat subcontracting within Yale University’s food services. At Yale and the University of Texas, students’ educational environments were influenced by the corporate greed of the universities.

Though both documentaries are tales of defeat, Henry believes that these films and events are worthwhile subject matter.

In response he said, “[Documentary films] offer an opportunity for reflection, discussion and debate that will be created by citizens.”

Born in Texas, Henry lived for a brief period of time in Medina, Ohio, due his father’s work. His mother, as declared in “University Inc.,” was a student at Kent State University. He utilized the education his mother received for a comparison between student power and control in the past versus the present.

According to his mother, there was a lack of questioning towards practices of the university, especially from its students. Henry described that in the past a university had the right of in loco parentis, meaning legally the university would act in place of a parent. Students were subject to curfews and “treated as children instead of adults.” However, due to student movements in the 1960s, students were able to challenge and put an end to such restrictions.

In his documentary, Henry juxtaposed images of universities in the past with his film footage of students at the University of Texas. This format helped to illuminate the idea within the film that at some universities, student power has not been able to grow or has suffered a decline. He believes that student power at present has deteriorated as a result of the mentality that “They do not have any power so [they] don’t fight.” As a result, he said, “Little by little they are giving up some of their rights.”

“University Inc.” recorded the difficulties that students had in having their opinions and concerns taken into consideration by figures of power employed at the university. Henry filmed their opposition, forms of protest and research into the practices of those employed at the university.

During the discussion panel, those in attendance could express their thoughts about the film as well as the social issues that were presented. Many viewers expressed discontent with the steady rise in tuition costs along with the tendency of universities to treat its students as customers. Students voiced concerns regarding their degrees becoming worthless due to poor university practices. It was suggested that by being informed and reprimanding those in power exercising destructive practices of greed, the corporate takeover of academia could be stopped.

Despite being informational, documentary film-making can still entertain its viewers with style and presentation. Though not made on a grandiose scale, stylistically “University Inc.’s” music and footage has a unique format that can be appreciated along with the information it presents. Quotes used throughout the film helped to further illustrate the concepts that the film displayed. Mario Savio’s quote from the free speech movement of the 1960s lent a powerful ending note for the film. In his workshop, Henry offered his artistic and educational insights to students on the creation of films.

Using his film “Room” as a case study, he explained that with a budget of at least $100,000, making a movie is possible. Henry outlined the steps of development, pre-production, production and post-production for students interested in the filmmaking process. He advised students in the first steps of their creativity to “write what you know” and to use “what you already have access to.” Henry believes that students at the University of Toledo have an advantage of location and encourages them to explore what the city has to offer.

Henry described his various experiences on forming budgets, finding actors and submitting his work to film festivals. He also warned students about festival scams, provided lists of well-known festivals and showed his Q&A session for “Room” at Sundance. His personal knowledge became a guideline for his workshop. He recommended that students “think about [their work at the university as] not just being exercises, but as a future project.” He stressed the importance of a good work ethic, saying, “School shouldn’t be a rehearsal for your life. Get into good habits now.”