From stage to screen

By Mike Augspurger / THE BURLINGTON HAWK EYE / November 5, 2004

A Burlington woman, who has found she likes the small screen as much as she likes the stage, never imagined she'd be in a film that could win a national collegiate contest.

The film, "Shades," is a semi–finalist in the mtvU "Best Film on Campus" competition, in which college filmmakers across the nation created five–minute short films of their choice. mtvU is the online version of MTV that caters to college campuses.

Marianne Bourg, who appears in the majority of the short film shot in the Quad Cities, portrays a young man's mother.

"She's helping him deal with his nightmares and all the other things going on in his life," said Scott Beck, who produced, directed and wrote the nominated feature with Bryan Woods.

The two men have had no formal training in film–making, yet have been recognized across the United States for their work. They have been writing, directing, and producing films together for the past seven years.

"We're so ecstatic. It was a surprise to see it get this far," Beck said of "Shades."

This was the pair's first attempt at a short film. They have made four feature–length films in the past with three of them featuring Bourg, always playing the role of a mother. They recruited her for the latest film — once again, as a mother.

"We wrote it specifically for her. She has the talent and definitely plays this character well," Beck said.

Still, though, he said it was difficult putting 90 minutes of story–telling into less than five and maintain the film's depth.

"I found it easier to do a feature–length thing in 90 minutes. Five minutes is much more difficult. It's a lot of stuff in little time," Beck said.

Bourg has expanded her frontiers since she first took to the stage for dance recitals when she was 5 years old. She has been in local television commercials, and has worked with theater or similar groups in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Des Moines.

It was through a Des Moines friend that Bourg learned that Beck and Woods were looking for someone to pay a mother's role in an independent full–length movie.

Bourg is in her 40s and has children, so she thought she could handle the part. She did well and the movie makers have used her three times in motherly roles.

Performances for a camera are much different than on a large stage, which actors often exaggerate movements to fill spacious venues, Bourg said.

"In front of a camera, your movement is a lot smaller and more natural," she said. "It feels really good. I never thought I would like movies."

Beck believes there is a chance his movie may be one of the three finalists picked by MTV personnel with help from online voting that ends Tuesday. Near the end of this month, MTV will announce its final pick. MTV also has been airing the Top 10 selections at 700 campuses.

The film was shot in September and edited in one cut. Family and friends were given the first look. The five minutes were confusing, they thought. The two men worked it over and made a four–minute version that passed the test.

With the nomination, they've gained more publicity. It's another achievement they have under their young belts.

"It's nice to have contests like this. You never know if you're going the right way. Being recognized shows you are," he said.

Bourg said she was glad to be on board with the young creators and donated her time for the movie.

"Anything to help a young, aspiring director," she said.

Having worked with the pair on three films, Bourg has seen the men's work improve with each reel, especially Beck's.

"He's a great editor," she said. "He's a good director, but his editing is awesome. He's so positive. I have a really good feeling that he is going to go places."

A mother should know.