ThisWeek UA 3/2/2011
In Columbus, mention Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the name likely conjures up images of bodybuilders before “The Terminator.” For 23 years Columbus has hosted the Arnold Sports Festival, the world’s largest sports and fitness exposition.
This March 3-6, the Arnold Sports Festival connects athleticism with filmmaking by introducing the Arnold Sports Film Festival held at the Arena Grand Movie Theatre.
“We were inspired by films that really get into the mind of athletes; that show what motivates not just superstars but every athlete,” film festival chair Jim Hern said. “[Schwarzenegger] wanted to find a way to bridge the gap between the athletes at the festival and people who can tell their stories. It was a way for him to connect two important facets of his life.”
For this first year, two categories were juried for entry into the film festival: international film students and U.S. high school film students.
Hern focused outreach efforts on Ohio high schools this year.
“Over 100 Ohio schools were contacted and 40 responded,” Hern said. “Upper Arlington was one of the most supportive schools with some very strong entries.”
Upper Arlington High School communication teacher Amanda Fountain used the film festival as a class assignment, something Hern hopes other schools will do in coming years. The festival rules restricted the films to 15 minutes in length – a manageable length for students, according to Hern and Fountain.
“I required all of my first-year broadcast theory students to enter a film,” Fountain said. “This is how I like to teach; real life projects that are fun. And having Schwarzenegger’s name attached to this festival raises the bar. It was great seeing the student’s so excited.”
Five of Fountain’s students’ films about the inner life of an athlete were chosen by the jury, which included Schwarzenegger and local Ohio State University football star and actor Eddie George.
Students Kate Barker, Maria Nicoloulias, Gabrielle Whitcomb, Jordan Arkin, Lily Rhodehamel, Garrett Powers, Charlotte Thorson, Gabby Veri and Marquax Aschinger broke up into groups to produce the five films, including one about Barker’s sister Hannah, a gymnast diagnosed with epilepsy, and another about fellow student and nationally ranked synchronized swimmer Kendall Glasser.
“Making this film, I learned a lot about production in general. I also had a chance to learn a lot more about my sister’s [epilepsy], which brought us closer together,” Barker, a junior, said.
Powers and Rhodehame, both juniors, were involved in producing two of the films selected by the jury for the festival.
“It was cool learning about something you really wouldn’t get to see,” Powers said, talking about the film about Glasser. “And now I feel like I can setup a nice shot. Before I had no idea how much time and skill it took to make something like this.”
The festival organizers hope this will be a pipeline for student filmmakers to connect with Hollywood right here in central Ohio.
“These kids get to learn about the film process and have a shot at some of the biggest eyes in Hollywood seeing their work,” Hern said.
George will emcee the film festival and host the awards ceremony. The student films will be screened at the Arena Grand Movie Theatre (175 W. Nationwide Blvd.) throughout the weekend, starting at noon on Friday, March 4. For tickets and an event schedule see www.highschoolfilmfestival.com.
“Hopefully we’ll have a good turnout of students at the festival to celebrate and validate the good work they are doing,” Fountain said.