Association of Movie Productions puts film in the limelight on campus
by Kate Lehmkuhler
October 31, 2006
“We know there are a lot of students on campus who have great ideas for a film,” said Association of Movie Productions President JD Medlock, “and we want to give them the chance to learn the basics behind filmmaking and see their work on the big screen.” And that is just what the group, commonly known as AMP, is doing.
In the 3 years since AMP’s creation, the club has been actively at work helping to further develop the underground film movement here at Tech by filming in the local community, showing films in festivals, and simply teaching and brainstorming with members at weekly meetings.
Not only are they attracting a larger membership campus-wide, their existence helps the University in their efforts to expand the film program. Interdisciplinary Studies has created a Film Studies Minor that is under the direction of film professor Dr. Stephen Prince. In addition, the Communication Department has recently added Paul Harrill, who specializes in film production, to their staff and increased the number of film courses offered.
“AMP demonstrates the student energy and interest related to film production at VT. It's always been important to the department's mission to have student organizations to create out-of-class opportunities for students to practice and explore what they've learned. AMP is the newest version of a long-standing relationship between curricular and extra curricular activities for the Department of Communication.” said Dr. Rachel Holloway, Department Head and Associate Professor of Communication.
Founded in 2003 by Marco Shepherd, AMP actually began with the idea of shooting and submitting a film for a Student Academy Award. However, upon further consideration between Shepherd and Dr. Holloway, the idea of creating a club arose instead.
After meeting with such influential individuals as Dr. Prince, film professor, and Jerry Scheeler, TV/Film Supervisor and faculty advisor for the Progeny Film Festival, the club was launched as a subdivision of Progeny.
“AMP is a great student run organization that allows highly motivated filmmakers to come together and assist each other getting projects completed. They help the film program by providing an outlet for film production activities” said Dr. Prince.
After AMP began to establish itself on campus, it broke from Progeny to become an independent organization. Taking the form of a networking and learning community, the students began working on both members’ individual short films and group features.
The first feature film they produced was a mafia movie directed by Michael Weinstein entitled "The Spoils.” From there, such projects as the kung fu "Pil Sung" and the large-scale drama "A Month to Live” came to life and elevated the club’s stature.
The club’s latest film, entitled “Cold Feet” and directed by James Corne, explores the relationship of a couple just before their wedding. It should be completed in the spring and appear in film festivals shortly thereafter.
“AMP is a mechanism that Virginia Tech should take notice of, because it is one of the few organizations on campus that amalgamates a wide spectrum of majors, backgrounds and interests to work together on projects, much like in the real world” said Corne.
On a larger scale, AMP has assisted many students at Virginia Tech with their film career aspirations. Founder Marco Shepherd has graduated and moved to Los Angeles, where he produces, writes, and assists at Landesman & Acquaro/Beacon Pictures/Universal.
“Now that I am working for great people in L.A., it is huge to be part of AMP. The first things they noticed were AMP and Progeny, especially when I received awards” said Shepherd.
Other members, such as Tim Leaton, have received awards for their work. Leaton won the national Film Your Issue competition this past spring with his “Orphans in Africa” short film shot in Uganda.
For now, the club is focusing upon its first 48-Hour Film Competition. The competition is open to all students, and gives them exactly 48 hours to come up with an idea, assemble a crew, find actors, and complete all the editing. The competition will officially conclude with a film festival of all submissions on December 2.
“You never know what kind of talent something like this uncovers - people don't think of Tech as a school that has much to offer in the way of arts because of our technical strengths. Film is where art meets technology, and there are a lot of students on this campus that are capable of pulling off some great projects. That being said, this festival is not only an opportunity for AMP's growth, but for the creative growth of aspiring Hokie filmmakers” said AMP Vice President Jackie Beiro.
To hear more about the competition and the Association of Movie Productions, visit http://www.amp.org.vt.edu or attend one of the weekly meetings Mondays in 102 Johnston Student Center at 9:30 p.m.