Long before "Wasssup!" Budweiser made commercial history with three frogs and later a weasel. Ever wonder how they got those frogs to talk, or that lovable weasel to dance?
The University's Film and Media Society put on a program at the Virginia Film Festival last weekend to help students learn about such puzzling imagery.
The program, "Storming the Media," is just one example of the society's efforts dedicated to assisting students' work in filmmaking, as well as encouraging general interest in independent films.
One of the renowned guests the FMS brought to the program is Stan Winston, who spoke at the Festival on his creature special effects studio.
His studio has created graphics wonders from the infamous Budweiser frogs to the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park and special effects in the "Terminator" movie.
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Johnny Lee, fourth-year Engineering student and co-president of the FMS, described "Storming the Media" as a series of panels for the Virginia Film Festival which brought in producers and directors.
"It gives students and community members a chance to hear about the filmmaking process right from the mouth of professionals," Lee said.
The FMS hopes to give students exposure to an industry they might not otherwise enjoy.
In addition to the discussion with Stan Winston, the program also consisted of many other forums.
These included a screenwriter's panel with Dorothy Tristen and a conversation with Tom Dey, director of "Shanghai Noon" and the upcoming "Bad Boys 2."
Even with all the distinguished guests at the Film Festival, students, and not the movies, tend to be the living embodiment of the spirit of the Film and Media Society.
Starting this year, the FMS will sponsor smaller events, not only to showcase its members but also to display a broader type of art to the community.
An example of this smaller type of event is the showing of member-edited films. Lee explained that "One Nickel Opera," which will debut in Newcomb Hall Theater in November, is a combination of small pieces society members have been working on for the past month, compiling into a larger project.
These short works are connected by a common theme-a picture of a nickel. The requirement for the pieces were that they had to be anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes long, and to start and stop with the image of a nickel.
For inspiration for a nickel film, FMS Vice President Chris Appel submitted a list of ideas about how to relate the films to a nickel. Some of his suggestions were to start off with a nickel in the bottom of a toilet or a nickel being dropped into a large coin vortex, like one usually finds at the mall.
Appel, a third-year College student, said these ideas were the starting point for many people, and each group ended up with something unique.
In fact, two groups worked together, had a coin flip in the air and then slowed it down frame by frame.
It started from Jefferson's head and then the next film begins with the nickel on its way down. The nickel lands on its back, Monticello side up.
Fourth-year College student Rebecca Perkins, who is also in charge of public relations for the society, said the society works on similar projects about every month and a half.
If a lot of Brittany Spears and N'Sync wannabees are seen running around campus, there's a good chance they're a part of the FMS. The current project is a music video, which aims to convey a message with no words.
Apart from creating small-scale project films, FMS also works on bigger events. Lee said that in the spring, FMS holds a large annual festival called, "Salmagundi."
"Salmagundi refers to a wide mixture of films, and that is exactly what the festival provides every year," he said.
The films by University students often range from comical to just plain strange.
"Salmagundi is a message for student filmmakers to continue their much supported work and to let others know about the it," said Kristen Adolfson, former Vice-President of FMS and a 1998 University graduate.
Although the society has made much progress, it still finds a long road ahead. Like many organizations on Grounds, the FMS finds itself in need of University funds.
"This is mostly because learning about production through University programs is very limited, although with the Media Studies Program, this might change," Perkins said.
While the society has a very close relationship with the Digital Media Lab in Clemons Library, Lee explained it still needs its own basic equipment to put on these and more showings.
But they have had trouble getting adequate funding from the University. Currently, FMS has sent proposals to the Parents Program for basic digital video equipment.
Lee said he and all members of the society are crossing their fingers for this grant, which would be a great help to them.
"We want people to get the chance to make movies and see if they like it, and to have a better understanding of film as an art form, which has a direct effect on the community as a whole," Perkins said.
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