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Center Valley, Pa. – (March 17, 2010) – The DeSales University Performing and Fine Arts department will present the 10th Annual Student Film Festival running Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 26 at 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. in the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the DeSales University campus. Tickets prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the Labuda Center box office at 610-282-3192 or visit www.desales.edu/act1.
Comedy writer and producer Alan Zweibel will visit the campus on Thursday, March 25. He will present a master class for TV/Film majors in the afternoon and then appear on stage from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. for an interview followed by the announcement of his choice for “Best of Show” of the festival entries. The opening night screening of the student films will then follow at 8:00 p.m.
An original “Saturday Night Live” writer, Alan Zweibel has won multiple Emmy, Writers Guild of America, and TV Critics awards for his work in television which also includes “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” (which he co-created), “Monk,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” In films, he co-wrote the screenplays for “Dragnet,” “North,” and “The Story of Us.” In addition, he wrote the popular children’s book, “Our Tree Named Steve” and the 2006 Thurber Prize winning novel, “The Other Shulman.”
His humor has appeared in such diverse publications as Esquire, The Atlantic Monthly, The New York Times Op-Ed page, The Los Angeles Times Sunday Magazine, The Huffington Post, MAD Magazine, and have been reprinted in numerous anthologies around the world.
Alan’s theatrical contributions include the play “Bunny Bunny — Gilda Radner: A Sort of Romantic Comedy” which he adapted from his best-selling book. He also collaborated with Billy Crystal on the Tony Award winning play “700 Sundays,” as well as Martin Short’s Broadway hit “Fame Becomes Me.” A frequent guest on talk shows such as “Late Night with David Letterman” and “Conan O’Brian,” Alan’s alma mater, the University at Buffalo, recently awarded him with an honorary Ph.D.
Alan is currently finishing his next theatrical venture tentatively titled “Sunday Nights at 8:00,” is producing a pilot for HBO to be directed by Penny Marshall, and selected pieces from his most recent book – a collection of his short stories and essays titled “Clothing Optional” – are going to be produced for the New York stage and will be directed by Jerry Zaks. But the production that Alan is most proud of is the family that he and wife Robin have created with their children Adam, Lindsay, and Sari, Adam’s wife, Cori and their first grandchild, Zachary.
Featuring a world premiere slate of creative, intelligent, and entertaining student films produced by TV/Film students, the Student Film Festival is a two-hour program screening of works written, directed, and produced by TV/Film majors ranging from short film and music videos to educational media, trailers, commercials, and more. This year’s festival celebrates the TV/Film program’s 10th anniversary and showcases why the DeSales TV/Film program is considered a leader in media studies in the Lehigh Valley.
- “De-Sanitized” by Matt Peck, Christe Czerpack, Bob File, and Jenn Smith is a story about what happens when a “clean freak” runs out of hand sanitizer. Sophomore Danielle Sload’s “Mr. Daniels” is a story about a man struggling with alcohol and the loss of control that it besets upon his life. Matt Peck’s “Tucker House Haunts” is a journalism piece attempting to uncover the truth of paranormal activity occurring in an older building on the DeSales campus.
- “Walking to the Dance” is a music video by Vanessa Smith about a young man’s prom night and the insecurity that follows when his father won’t let him borrow the car. Caity Pitts’ “The Only Tree in the Field” is about a secluded girl recalling memories of friends and deciding to venture out and revisit her past. Greg Moult’s “Mind Control” is a narrative short about a student dealing with his demons. Kyle Bedell’s “Bear Necessities” trailer announces a simple love story about a boy, the mob, and a bear. A disgruntled couple arrives at their second appointment with their therapist where they try a new approach to their therapy in Andy To’s “Couple’s Therapy.”
- In Daniel Kwiatkowski’s “The Nightwatch,” a bumbling dude stumbles into a top secret genetics laboratory and unleashes something evil. Now it is up to two underpaid security guards and a crusty old janitor to set things right. Patsie Varkados’ “Play Ground” is a poetic documentary exploring the issues of childhood violence using the playground as a metaphor for the larger world. Her “Two Seconds” explores what happens when a young man realizes his ability to predict the future may jeopardize the most important relationship in his life. Vito Ferber’s “How to Make a Student Film” is a comical look at the process of student filmmaking.
- Ryan Dellaquila’s “Goodbye Garry” is about a teenager overcome with grief when his goldfish dies and trying to decide how to dispose of the body. With “In the Company of Friends,” Danielle Sload explores the value of friendship as high school friends come to the realization that they are growing up and moving on. In Andy To’s “The Dinner Date” a young man arrives, flowers in hand, at Diana’s door expecting to go out on their first dinner date. Instead, he gets a surprise.
The 10th Annual DeSales University Student Film Festival runs Thursday, March 25, Friday, March 26, and Saturday, March 27 at 8:00 p.m. in the Main Stage Theatre of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the DeSales University campus. Tickets prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call the Labuda Center box office at 610-282-3192 or visit www.desales.edu/act1.
The Labuda Center is fully accessible and equipped with a listening enhancement system sponsored by The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation and Schubert Communications, Inc. Special seating is available for our patrons using wheelchairs or requiring other assistance. Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering tickets.
Press Release: Emmy Award Winning Comedy Writer and Producer to Kick Off DeSales 10th Student Film Festival | Posted on: 3/17/2010
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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