Kodak Supports filipino Program with Thesis Award

Kodak Supports Filipino Program with Thesis Award, Career Talk Series

https://partner.kodak.com/US/en/motion/students/onCampus/july2003/filipinoAward.shtml

Kodak Philippines has built bridges to student filmmakers at the University of the Philippines with two programs that support student filmmaking and help prepare graduates for the world of work. The KODAK Film Award is presented annually for the outstanding thesis film produced on 16 mm or 35 mm Kodak film. Kodak also sponsors a Career Talk each semester for undergraduate filmmakers.

The KODAK Film Award
The 2003 KODAK Film Award winner is Rianne Hill Soriano, who submitted the program’s first 35 mm film. Karsel is a 20-minute narrative film that traces a classic plight of women. It delves into a young adult female’s submission to the conventions of a traditional home and her struggle for liberation. In Soriano’s film, the lead character’s hair comes to symbolize her struggle with strong visuals.

“Angela’s hair symbolizes her mother’s complete authority over her, the strands of her hair becoming the bars of a cage on her face, exemplifying her imprisonment,” the filmmaker says. “I love taking charge of the camera work. With this being my first 35 mm film, it was a real challenge for me to perfect crucial scenes demanding intense and uncompromising performances.”

Karsel was shot primarily on Kodak Vision 500T color negative film. “With most of the scenes and the debut sequence, I wanted to really saturate the colors,” Soriano says. “We also shot some scenes that were intended to be push processed at LVN Pictures, which donated free processing, printing and editing resources.”

She edited the film on a Moviola – her first experience with the machine. “It was tough yet rewarding to be the director and editor of your own film,” she says.
The KODAK Film Award was created in 2000 in partnership with the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications Film & Audiovisual Department to help promote the use of film and recognize outstanding graduating students. The award is open to all graduating students of the Film & Audiovisual Communication Department. The winning film is selected by the thesis defense committee, composed of faculty from the Film & Audiovisual Communication Department. The winner receives P $30,000.00 worth of film stock and a plaque.

“The KODAK Film Award is one of many Kodak-sponsored activities designed to recognize and reward the efforts of students in film production and to encourage them to excel,” said Jane Albito, business manager for Kodak’s Entertainment Imaging division in the Philippines.

“Through these activities, Kodak is viewed by the students as a partner and supporter of future filmmakers.”

Career Talk Series
For Career Talk, distinguished members of the industry are invited as guest speakers to share their career experiences and growth. The guest speakers include directors, cinematographers, executive producers, and representatives from post-production. The objective of the program is to provide the graduating class an overview of the local entertainment industry and career options as they transition to the real world.
Speakers at this year’s event, held March 11, included cinematographers Shayne Sarte-Clemente and Nap Jamir; director Mac Alejandre, and several graduates of the University of the Philippines, including director Sockie Fernandez, supervising producer Brenda Bayhon and director Jeffrey Jeturian.

Kodak initiated the Career Talk program in October 2002, as part of the Student Program. “Our message to the students is that Kodak, which has been supporting their film education, will remain a partner as they embark on their respective careers,” Albito said.

In March 2003, the University of the Philippines created the UP Film Institute (UPFI) by merging the College of Mass Communication’s (CMC) Film & Audiovisual Department and the Film Center. With the merger, UPFI will become one of the College of Mass Communication’s academic units and will offer bachelors degrees in film, masters in media studies, and manage the 800-seat theatre that will continue to be the primary venue for film screenings.