The UT Film and Video Society wants to bring all performing arts majors and enthusiasts together for training, workshops, socializing and unity as they revive from their short hiatus. Their last meeting was held in fall 2010 and was not considered a group until this semester.
"This is not a one-man operation—strength in number," said Katie Martin, president of the society and a senior majoring in film and video. "If last year we had an adequate amount of members, there would not have been an overwhelming workload on the executive board and the group would have survived."
The society went over their agenda for the year during their first meeting Monday. Each member had the opportunity to get involved with the UT Student Film Showcase, a directory for crew members and other activities.
"The group is starting anew and trying to take a different direction—in essence, rebuilding it so that it can encompass more events and majors," Martin said.
Students do not have to be film majors to join. Those present at the meeting included theatre, communication, business and music students.
UTFVS is looking for students interested in helping as crew members, actors, musicians and film enthusiasts.
"It's a group meant to be a resource to film students and to encourage collaborative efforts between performing arts majors," Martin said.
The society created a directory of its members to help student filmmakers collaborate and find people to work on student films as crew or actors rather than struggling to find helpers by themselves.
Only members in the directory have the ability to use the directory, which includes members' specific interests and qualifications Members will also be able to participate in the UT Student Film Showcase. This annual showcase displays the best of student films from various production courses.
UTFVS is trying to get their members to put more effort into the showcase which is tentatively scheduled for March 2012.
There will be opportunities to work on party planning skills, as there will be a dinner before the showcase and an after party.
Film screenings will be limited, but not absolutely abolished from the group's agenda.
"We're meant to have some fun, make friends and appreciate all the creativity we can offer our department. We're not just focused on screenings," Martin said.
The group decided it would be best to leave the majority of film screenings to the film department since the department runs Film Fridays as it is. The few screenings that will be shown by UTFVS involve current film professors' pieces.
To connect with others on campus, the society plans on helping promote other groups through their film training.
The group discussed doing various commercials and editing work for different campus organizations during the meeting. Throughout the year, there will also be various opportunities for training sessions.
Final Cut Pro workshops and a potential steady cam session are some of the possibilities. The next meeting is Sunday at the Center for Performing Arts Room 1039 at 7 p.m. For more information about UTFVS, or to become a member, send an e-mail to: utoledofilmsociety@gmail.com.
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