Brigette Ginter
Screen shot of “Happenstance”, directed by Immanuel Steinberg, featured at Reel Loud
By Brigette Ginter
On Friday, May 25th, the 27th Annual Reel Loud Film & Arts Festival at UC Santa Barbara was held at Campbell Hall.
This event is truly a uniquely dynamic display of student art, that includes original films, music, art, and performance.
While some entries took a more traditional narrative approach to film, some of the entries incorporated live dance, or live musical performances alongside their short films. Definitely, there was a little something for everyone. One of the first films shown, Cross Step (directed by Kai Kevin Goh & Emmaclaire Brock) incorporated a live DJ and live breakdance battle between two dancers. Another memorable film, Danse des Pâtes (directed by Bobby Jones) featured a ballet dancer performing onstage only to find that spaghetti starts falling from the ceiling. Danse des Pâtes was accompanied by a small string orchestra.
Reel Loud definitely is a platform for students to push their creative boundaries, and this was apparent last night. This year’s theme was “Watch It Play Back,” an ode to the technology of the past seen through a modern lens. This theme was not necessarily apparent in the various film entries, although a great idea and jumping off point to make us all think about how technology, modernity, and nostalgia are intertwined.
In addition to the film festival component of Reel Loud, there also was pre-show reception with art exhibit, music, food, raffles, and a silent auction benefiting the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.
If you didn’t manage to make it to Reel Loud Film & Arts Festival last night, definitely try to make it to the 28th Annual festival next year!
