Campus MovieFest has come to Rollins once again and this time we continued our “serious” streak with a documentary about an organization named IDignity that tries to help homeless people get back on their feet by helping them obtain legal documents to prove their identity.

Synopsis:

This documentary is told through the voices of Michael and Brad. Michael is the executive director of IDignity and Brad was once a recipient of the services offered by them but now serves on the board of directors for IDignity. Michael and Brad illustrate the obstacles for the homeless living without identification in today’s world. They also call to attention the people working to address these issues, hope for the future, and a call to action for more people to get involved and help the homeless fight this barrier.

Cast:

• Brad Sefter
• Michael Dippy
• Jennifer Chesarek – Off Camera Interviewer

Crew:

• Joshua Chesarek
• Glenn Whelan

IDignity: John Doe no more Galley:

Previous entries for CMF:

• Being Me
• Amor Paterno
• Betwixt the Land of Wynken and Nod

Simple Thought Productions was asked to create a video that would help demonstrate the printing process that was used by William Blake. This process has been reproduced by Michael Phillips. This short 8 minute video is on display at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in WInter Park Florida along with many of the plates from September 12, 2009 through January 3, 2010.

About the Exhibition:

One of the world’s foremost authorities on the poet and engraver William Blake (1757-1827), Michael Phillips has reproduced exactly Blake’s unique technique of printing on copper plates, down to the types of dyes and paper Blake used. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Blake’s engraving process, which he termed “the Infernal Method,” featuring Phillips’ exquisite facsimiles of Blake’s beautifully illustrated “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience.”

• Best Drama Rollins College Campus Movie Fest 2009
• AT&T CV Award – “Being Me” Showcased on AT&T’s Mobile Video platform
• Nominated – Golden Tripod for Best Editing

“Being Me”

Campus MovieFest has rolled in again and this time we thought we would try our hand at something more serious than our typical entries (Amor Paterno, Betwixt the Land of Wynken and Nod) We wanted to try our hand in documentaries and we had two subjects who were willing to share their stories. Thank you Keith and Joanna.

This year we took home Best Drama. We were also selected to be put onto the AT&T Mobile video network. If you have an AT&T phone that can play video you will be able to find Being Me on their Media Network soon!

Synopsis

“Beyond any amount of control, people can incur a chronic physical condition during crucial developmental periods of their lives. The immediate impact of such conditions drastically affects the appearances and abilities of these individuals. Additionally, and oftentimes less obvious, these individuals experience difficulty with self-esteem, confidence, relationships, families and friends, social status, spirituality, and life in general as they are forced to adjust to a life that was neither planned for or expected. A chronic condition encompasses a vast array of illnesses, physical and mental, as well as disfigurements resulting from accidents or violence. This is a documentary about a man and a woman, Keith and Joanna, who developed very different physical illnesses but who share the challenge of integrating the chronic physical illness into their everyday lives. They disclose their experiences with life’s curve balls and offer advice to those living with a chronic physical condition as well as to those without.”

Cast

• Keith Sims
• Joanna Chesarek

Crew

• Jennifer Pettman
• Joshua Chesarek

| Being Me Gallery |

Recently I went on a trip to Boston and was able to spend a half day filming as I went around. Here is what I saw while I was there.

Another Short film for the DV Challenge. For Challenge #13 which was launched on June Friday the 13th 2008 the theme was “Luck.” Get ready for some cheap humor. Here is our entry.

| Morning Mail Simple Short Gallery |

• Honorable Mention DVC#12

This short was done for DV Challenge #12. The theme this time around was “Change”. As soon as this announcement was made I knew I wanted to do a video based on the Graffiti art by “Banksy.” This is by far the shortest “short” I have done as it is only 54 seconds. Enjoy.

The Work

The Art Work

This is the Graffiti that inspired this short film. While tracking down the creators of such work is hard it is often attributed to a artist that goes by the name of Banksy. Others have claimed it belongs to another. If you have any info on the work please leave a comment or use the contact page. Thanks!

Cast

• Jenny Pettman

Crew

• Josh Chesarek

Equipment

• Canon XH-A1
• Bogen 501 Tripod

This Short was done for DV Challenge #11. This is a charity contest where the winner gets to select the charity that the gets the money that was donated during the contest by members of the DV Info forum. The theme for this contest was “Light”. We filmed this in a few hours and did a pretty quick edit section. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Nutcracker… Hope you enjoy!

Cast

Crew

Equipment

| The Nutcracker Photo Gallery |

Instant Message

This short “horror” was made for the DVC Challenge #10. We ended up with 2nd Runner up (read: 3rd place)! Not bad for my first stab at horror! The story is about a lawyer who is working on a slasher case. He has been trying to put this guy away for the better part of two years and is closer than ever.

| Synopsis |

Neil has been working hard for the last 2 years after the death of his best friend Greg. Police had caught a man at the scene but a rookie officer had mishandled evidence which lead to the dismissal of the case. Now, two years later, Neil is closer than ever to linking William to a new string of murders in the Orlando area.

| Cast & Crew|

Jenny – Jenny Pettman
Boyfriend – Josh Chesarek
Slasher – Josh Chesarek
“Script” – Jenny & Josh
Editing – Filming – Lighting etc. – Josh Chesarek

| About |

Instant message was filmed over the course of a few days totaling about 2 hours of filming. It was done with only 2 crew members (also doubling actors). A Canon XH-A1 was used for filming along with Sennheiser audio equipment. Lighting was done on the cheap using household lighting. A glidecam 2000 was also thrown in for fun.

| Instant Message Photo Gallery |

Just filmed as we went through Beartooth pass going from Wyoming to Montana in the summer of 2007. The country up there is amazing and I hope to go back and film some more.

• Top 16 @ Rollins College Campus Movie Fest
• Nominated for Best concept @ Campus Movie Fest Florida Finale

Betwixt the Land of Wynken and Nod

A student with a tendency to oversleep rushes to make it to class on time. On his way he encounters set backs that are out of this world. Is any of this real? Will he get there in time? Who knows….

| Betwixt the Land of Wynken and Nod Photo Gallery |