"Loaded,"
an experimental short film written and produced by Grand
Rapids-based filmmaker Aaron B. Smith and directed
by LA-based Rik Swartzwelder ("The Least of These"),
was recently honored with a Reel Spirituality/Los Angeles Film
Studies Center (LAFSC) Film Award during the annual Reel Spirituality
conference in Los Angeles, California.
On October 21, 2006, Smith and Swartzwelder's film was featured during
a special day-long series of workshops, “Reel Spirituality
101: Unpacking Movies and their Meaning,” which were held at
Pepperdine University in Malibu. Barry Taylor, film composer
and adjunct professor of popular culture and theology at Fuller Theological
Seminary, led a discussion on the importance of music and sound design
in cinema, using the award-winning "Loaded" as an example
of excellence in those aspects of filmmaking craft.
This year’s edition of Reel Spirituality 101 explored the basics
of film—Image, Word, and Music—and how these elements
work together to create theological meaning in the cinema. Leading
filmmakers and theologians were featured and attendees were exposed
to a variety of presentations, panels, and Q & A’s.
"Loaded" was produced by Smith’s Dusk Films as part
of a trilogy of HD shorts, including "Michigan Sky" (winner, audience
award at the Waterfront Film Festival) and "Art Appreciation." All
three films were shot in Grand Rapids, Michigan—in about one
day each—and were directed by Swartzwelder. Douglas S. Nagel,
also of Grand Rapids, edited, sound designed, and co-composed original
music for the production.
More info/links:
Event Details: http://www.pepperdine.edu/pr/releases/2006/october/ffschedule.htm
Press Release: http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/news/2006/2006-10-26-mediastudies.htm
Reel Spirituality: www.brehmcenter.org
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