Walking through the Main Commons Jan. 28, students found a new addition to the space outside the Planetarium. Today a white background hung on a wall beside the entrance to the Planetarium and a film crew set up in front of it. From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., students and faculty were filmed for the True/False Film Festival.
Participants were only on camera for 30 seconds and had to show off their best dance moves or poses. Some smiled for the camera; others danced and a few even texted while being filmed.
“I did the shopping cart, sprinkler and a large variety of impressive dance moves,” sophomore Hannah Cajandig said.
The film makers came to RBHS to film people for the 500 – person documentary that will be shown during the transition time in long films at True/False when the film rolls are switched over. Each person’s 30 second clip will be edited in with 500 other clips of participants to make “one long parade of humanity,” said Rick Agran, who is part of the film project.
“We want it to show the diversity of Columbia,” said Agran, who teaches Introduction to Multi Media at the University of Missouri – Columbia. “We are setting up in a variety of places. We worked at a celebration of Chinese New Year at MU’s Jesse Auditorium. We’re going to the Methodist church and the farmers market. We’re here and hopefully Douglass as well. We’re trying to get a broad picture of the faces of Columbia.”
The bright lights and white background illuminated the “actors” which might have frightened off a weaker woman, but senior Katie O’Conner wasn’t scared.
“I made sure I watched everyone else so I wouldn’t be super nervous,” O’Conner said. “It was weird that there was something so professional right around the corner as you walk around Rock Bridge.”
When students walked to the center of the background and the 30 – second countdown started, their faces came alive and their personalities shined.
“I have seen all kinds of beautiful things from people showing joy, to being completely steely face, swooning, throwing gang signs, texting,” Agran said. “Actually, the most interesting moment is to see the effect that the white background has on someone. When you put someone on a white background, their beauty comes out in a really interesting way.”
By Jessica Jost