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"Warplay"
In "Warplay," director Bryan Lefler illustrates the imagination of a child during an afternoon game of war, where reality and fantasy seem to overlap. In an engaging conversation with Media Arts faculty member Tom Russell, Lefler discusses the distinct impact media has on the decisions we make, as told through his film's child protagonist and his sobering struggle to distinguish the two in a media-saturated world.
Ben Gourley, writer/producer of “Andy,” and director Brandon Dayton tell their film's story through a foster child’s point of view as he struggles to adapt to his new surroundings. The film offers a fresh perspective on how children view the world around them--one that has taken on new meaning for the filmmakers since becoming parents themselves. Together with Media Arts faculty member Tom Russell, Ben and Brandon discuss how "Andy" helps us to see the ways children want to do good but often test boundaries to make sense of their complex and often rapidly shifting environments.
"Andy"
"The Potter's Meal"
Despite there not being an established documentary program at BYU yet, film student Steve Olpin created an ambitious long-term project featuring his pottery instructor, Joseph Bennion called "The Potter's Meal." The film would go on to earn acclaim from a variety of venues, including the Heartland and Sundance Film Festivals.
Living a life of simplicity, we see Joe devoting his time and energy to his family, his pottery, and his garden--following the belief that by living for what you love and being closer to nature, one may understand God better and draw nearer to Him. Steve Olpin joins us to revisit what went into making this stirring film as a student at BYU.
MORE ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:
Steve Olpin is a filmmaker with a documentary and action sports background. He has made films about artists, musicians, a scientist, a mortician and numerous action sports athletes. His films have been screened and honored in national and international film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival. The Heartland Film Festival honored him as a visionary with the Crystal Heart Award for his films The Potter’s Meal and In The Presence of Healers. His directing and cinematography work have been featured on NBC, PBS, ESPN, USA Network, Outdoor Life Network, Fuel Network and Fox Sports Net. He has directed for both television programs and television commercials. His work explores passionate, driven people. His feature length documentary “Nasty’s World” won Grand Prize at the 2003 X-Dance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. With creative partner Tim Irwin, Steve has been directing behind the scenes documentaries for DVD special features including the Jack Black hit comedy “Nacho Libre.”
"Seaside"
Featuring “Seaside,” with producer Kendall Wilcox and director Caroline Prohosky speaking with TMA advisor Tom Lefler, and “Garden of Hesperides,” with director Brandon Dayton, speaking with TMA faculty Jeff Parkin. Also featuring faculty host Rodger Sorensen.
BYU Dance Faculty member Caroline Prohosky and TMA student Kendall Wilcox joined together in hopes of telling a story that would meld the art of modern dance with film in "Seaside." Through their collaboration, the symbolic storytelling nature of modern dance is expressed through carefully conceived cinematic tools such as lighting, cinematography, and music. Ultimately, each complements the other well in this unique cross-disciplinary film. In this episode, Caroline and Kendall discuss their work, as well as some challenges they encountered along the way.
Behind the scenes on "Garden of Hesperides"
MORE ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:
Brandon Dayton learned early on that he loved to draw and tell stories. Throughout his schooling, he experimented with comics, animation and film to the detriment of his GPA. While at studying at BYU he made four short films, snuck into as many illustration classes as possible and eventually graduated with a degree in Theatre & Media Arts.
Since graduation, he has worked as a writer, animator, illustrator, storyboard artist, and Christmas-light hanger. He currently works at EA Salt Lake as a concept artist, and is nearing production on his first mini-comic, Green Monk. He hopes to someday return to filmmaking.
He lives in West Jordan, UT with his wife, Annie and daughter, Lucy.
You can follow Brandon's work on his blog: www.mbdayton.blogspot.com
"Night Becomes Day"
Airs June 3 at 9:00 PM and June 10 at 5:00 PM
Featuring “Night Becomes Day,” with director Jacob Hinmon and TMA faculty member Tom Russell, and “Still Lifes,” with director Ryan Arvay. Also featuring faculty host Rodger Sorensen.
In this episode of First Look we feature two films that explore human connection through their use of visual storytelling and minimal dialogue. Director Jacob Hinmon joins Media Arts faculty member Tom Russell in a conversation about his film “Night Becomes Day,” which he says seeks to portray the "potential of that connection to affect others and the way we live our lives."
Next, Ryan Arvay sends us a report from his new home in Florida about his experience making "Still Lifes" – a contemplative piece which focuses on the outward expressions of strangers in a diner that in turn make speculations about those around them.
"Still
Lifes"
Since finishing his studies at BYU in 2006 Jacob was the director of Film and Video Production for the Hinmon Agency, an advertising/marketing agency in McMinnville, OR. As Director he wrote, directed, and produced television commercials, promotional videos, and other video content for the internet. Since then he has recently started his own production company, Four + One Productions.
He is married to Megan Pugmire and they have two daughters, Maddie and Evie.
Ryan Arvay graduated from BYU with a BA degree in directing. Though Still Lifes was his first film at BYU, he had been making "little movies" since he was 12 years-old. Today he resides in the Florida panhandle with his wife and two children. In recent years he has worked as a free-lance illustrator and graphic designer. The DVD packaging for his second student-film - which he created with fellow BYU alum Seth Taylor - was included in the 2005 AIGA 100 (the American Institute of Graphic Design's top honors). He has also recently worked as a journalist and a photographer. His most current project will be conducting interviews and recording oral histories for a local non-profit organization. Though Ryan has worn many different hats since graduating, his love of film continues. He is currently developing a feature-length documentary which he says is inspired by his other love - historic preservation.
"Warplay"
"Andy"
