WWU stars shine at Hollywood-style event

5/17/2012 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

Hollywood is not the only town boasting a red carpet anymore. In fact, Callaway County's very own movie stars and directors can be found at the local movie theatre.

William Woods University recently hosted its second annual Red Carpet Showcase, a celebration of WWU student and alumni films produced by communication majors in the arts division during the 2011-2012 academic year.
The student directors, actors and actresses dressed as if attending the always-glamorous Academy Awards, some with evening gowns and some with tuxedos.
The program featured fictional short movies starring several members of the William Woods and Fulton communities, as well as documentaries researched across various disciplines. Also presented were radio and television excerpts from WWU s broadcasting program.
The local B&B theatre, Fulton Cinema 8, and Callaway Bank provided support for the event.
Awards for achievements in performance and technical talents were presented at the end of the night. This year s awards went to:
  • Jessica Bargate of Jefferson City, Mo., best editor and best cinematography for her documentary, Stories of Beginnings
  • John Couper of Columbia, Mo., best sound design and best cinematography for The Smithtown Shadow
  • Scott Barker of Mexico, Mo., best screen writing for Surprise Dinner
  • Adrienne Dickerson of Christiansburg, Va., best screen writing for Marena Nelson: Private Eye
  • Derek McCawley of Phoenix, Ariz., and Scott Barker, the C47 Award;
  • Jenny Morris of Overland Park, Kan., best supporting actress for The Telescope
  • T.J. Green of Brandon, Miss., best supporting actor for The Smithtown Shadow
  • Nick Hoover of Kingdom City, Mo., best supporting actor for Fixer
Appearing on the big screen in front of a cultural icon, the 45-foot tall Hollywood sign in the Santa Monica Mountains, WWU alumnus Joshua Potter announced the big awards, adding another Oscar touch to the night.
The recipients were:
  • Lincoln Purvis of Montgomery City, Mo., best visual effects, for Faceoff on Lost Creek Bridge
  • Amanda Coker of Dallas, Texas, best actress in a leading role, for True Fiction
  • Calvin Hawkins of Wentzville, Mo., best actor in a leading role, for both The Smithtown Shadow and The Telescope
  • Lincoln Purvis, best director, for The Telescope
Alumni who have remained actively involved also won awards. Those recipients were: Shaun Speers, C47 Award, and Chris Norton, The Old Fogey Alumni Award.
Other students who submitted films for the event were McCawley, True Fiction, and Bailey Campanini of Camdenton, Mo., Muppets Unhinged. In addition, Fixer, a film written and directed by Potter, was shown.
"All of these students deserve to be appreciated. They ve all worked very hard and have done exceptionally well. That is actually the point of the night to recognize all the hard work these students have put in this year and to really celebrate that hard work," said Jason Knowles, WWU instructor of communications.
"While creating their videos, students had an opportunity to experience life as directors, writers and actors. They worked under deadlines and were in charge of whole crews.
Of course there were bumps along the road in filming, but the actors were so cooperative and punctual and they just made the process so easy," Couper said.
"The actors were so wonderful to work with," Purvis said. "Drew, Calvin and Jenny were all great and I enjoyed working with them so much. I really got to experience the give and take of directing. As a director, you have to be the leader because you have to guide your actors to get the results you want, but you don't want to seem too pushy and play the boss role."

CUTLINES
Lincoln Purvis, a North Callaway High School graduate, displays his trophies in front of a poster advertising one of his winning films.
Five of the winners with their Oscars : front, left to right, Cal Hawkins, Scott Barker; back, Lincoln Purvis, John Couper and Chris Norton.
Jessica Bargate, winner of best editor and best cinematography awards for her documentary, Stories of Beginnings