Ai Tampa Rough Cut Film Group: 2009

December Film of the Month "A Work"

Student Film Showcase

Film of the Month

December 2009

A Work

By Cheryl Timmins

MFS December 09 Cheryl Timmins

Cheryl Timmins

By Robert S. Pearson

Rob The Final Awakening A Work

Last month, for the first time, an AI Tampa film student stepped into the Spotlight, and Andrew Keeton shared his work, inspirations, and plans for the future. This month I was able to speak with Cheryl Timmins who, along with Andrew, is one of the first of two students to graduate from the AI Tampa film program. I have known Cheryl for some time now, and have always been impressed by both her work as well as character. While speaking with Cheryl I learned that she earned two degrees before coming to the Art Institute, a BA in Psychology form the Sophie Newcomb College, and a MED in Early Childhood Emotional Disturbances from Tulane University. With two degrees under her belt already, I asked Cheryl why she decided to study film.

Cheryl;

I’m an educator at heart and film gives me a visual outlet to express myself and hopefully open the eyes of others in the process. I believe indie films are on the rise and I relish this idea as this is my niche as a producer. If my work makes a difference in at least one life, I’ve accomplished what I’ve set out to do. Two or more is lagniappe.

Seeing as Cheryl has much appreciation for independent filmmaking, I asked her which filmmakers influenced her the most?

Favorite Filmmakers

Errol Morris, Sidney Lumet, Aleksandr Sokurov, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese
As a filmmaker I understand how much inspiration can be drawn from others in the business, but I asked Cheryl who, in her personal life, has influenced her the most?
Cheryl;
My largest personal influence has been my daughter. I adopted her from China at 15 months old and she just turned 8. I’ve never looked at the world the same since I was lucky enough to look at everything through her eyes.
I wanted to know, outside of her family and role-models, what films have have shaped Cheryl as an artist? Maybe it was unfair, but I asked to only mention 3 to 5.
Cheryl;
This is like asking a chocoholic “What is your favorite brand of chocolate?” Three to five films seems so limiting but I’ll take a stab at it.
Favorite Films

The Shawshank Redemption, Modern Times, On The Water Front, A Beautiful Mind
Well there is no doubting her taste, and as I mentioned above I think Cheryl produces great work and has an awesome character, but I thought I would get a few other onions. I asked Dr. John Muehl, a film professor of ours and former AI Tampa Dean, what he had to say about Cheryl.
Dr. John Muehl;
Cheryl's strengths are her determination and her willingness to take charge of her own education. When the rest of the students are on break, Cheryl is attending a filmmaking workshop. She strives to achieve excellence. Her determination will lead to success in the film and video industry.
Tyler Martinolich is a film professor at the University of Tampa as well as The Ringling School for the Arts, and the Programing Director for the Sun Screen Film Festival. He is a former professor of Cheryl's, so I asked him what he thought of her work ethic.
Tyler Martinolich;
James Cameron once said "The film industry is about saying 'no' to people, and inherently you cannot take 'no' for an answer." It takes drive, passion, a level head and a willingness to never take 'no' for an answer. I know Cheryl Timmins to have those qualities. Cheryl has that rare spark that's instantly identifiable, and will serve her well in whatever pursuit she follows in the future.
Cheryl Timmins has earned the respect of her peers, professors, and professionals in the business. She recently was awarded an internship with the Canne film festival at the The American Pavilion in the worldwide festival, so I asked Cheryl what her plans for the future are?
Cheryl;
My dream is to produce indie films, preferably documentaries that don’t bore people to death. Finally, I get to pursue my passion. Do what you love and the money will follow.
Special Thanks
Cheryl;

Special thanks to Alan Cohen and Reverend Duffy Rutledge, my mentors who encouraged me to follow my heart, my family for their love and support and to Hilda Manning for teaching me about unconditional love.

I want to thank Cheryl for letting us look at her past and bright future. To learn more about her, and see more of Cheryl's work visit the link below.

w ww.cheryltimmins.com
Thanks for checking out this month's Spotlight, and we'll be back in January!

Film of the Month November 09 Tower of Babel

Student Film Showcase
FILM OF THE MONTH

If the picture is only partially viewable visit Tower Of Babel on YouTube.

November 2009

Tower of Babel

By Andrew Keeton

Monthly Filmmaker Spotlight November 2009 Andrew Keeton

Andrew Keeton

By Robert S. Pearson

Andrew Keeton will be the first of two film students to graduate from the Art Institute of Tampa's Digital film program on December 17 2009. When I decided to start profiling our film students monthly, I thought who better than Andrew? He consistently inspires his peers with his intellect, superior work, and willingness to share his knowledge. While speaking with Andrew I learned that he once studied Fine Art, and didn't begin his career at the Art Institute studying film, but instead graphic design. The film program had not yet been instituted when graphic design was his discipline, but when it was announced that the AI Tampa would be offering a digital film degree, Andrew made the jump. I asked him, why film?

Andrew:

Film is an art form that has a unique ability to decide what the audience sees and hears. It is a more psychologically powerful medium because a filmmaker can control more facets of the audience’s perception. So if art is _expression and communication, than film is the medium best suited to communicate my perception and imagination as completely as possible.

Andrew's profound appreciation for the mediums ability to connect with it's audience inspired the question, what filmmakers have connected most with you?

Favorite Filmmakers

Terry Gilliam, The Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubric, Christopher Nolan, and Akira Kurosawa

I was curious what kind of a role Andrew's family and friends played in influencing his work, and if there were any non-filmmakers that influenced him as well.

Andrew:

My family influenced me toward open-minded critical thinking, appreciation of art and creativity. I think those values laid the foundation for my own personal explorations. I count Joseph Campbell, Kurt Vonnegut, and Alan Moore as personal heroes, both for their storytelling abilities and for the humanistic philosophies they represent.

As someone who clearly has a refined taste for the art of storytelling, I inquired as to which films Andrew considered his personal favorites.

Favorite Films

2001: A Space Odyssey, Natural Born Killers, and Apocalypse Now

Many times when I watch another students work I see reflections of my own process, and in Andrew case there is one attribute that always stands out. He does not see objects as they are, but what they could be instead. At the bottom of the article there is a collection of stills from Andrew's work, and when I look at his candy dispenser I do not see something, that on paper, might be associated with innocence. The gum ball machine seems to be floating just out of reach, taunting the viewer. As a story teller Andrew has seemingly mastered the art of creating something interesting form objects that typically dwell with the mundane. As a student I have much respect for Andrew, so I asked Dr. John Muehl, a professor of ours, his thoughts to acquire an opinion from a different perspective.

Dr. John Muehl:

Andrew has a unique ability to always be at least a couple of weeks ahead of deadline. He uses this time for tweaking and perfection. I am also impressed with Andrew's breadth of knowledge about any subject and current events. These qualities will serve Andrew well as a filmmaker and a teacher in the very near future.

Now that Andrew is set to graduating I asked him what his plans for the future are.

Andrew:

I plan to make independent films and teach at a college level. I plan to stay in school until the end of time if can manage it. I want to die with a stack of degrees.

Special Thanks

Andrew:

To Dani for giving me a reason, to Ace for giving me a challenge, and to my family for giving me unconditional love and support.

I would like to thank Andrew for stepping into the spotlight, and be sure to check out his personal web site at the address below to see his films, resume, and portfolio.

www.keetonfilms.com

Check back in December for another Filmmaker Spotlight!