'Pursuing a journey' brings filmmakers to campus

By Ashley Lewis / MORNINGSIDE COLLEGIAN REPORTER / January 26, 2006

The winners of mtvU’s 2005 Best Film on Campus: Trailer Challenge Competition were on hand Wednesday night for a screening of their film “University Heights.” The film’s creators, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, are juniors at the University of Iowa.

The film examines the struggles of the everyday lives of four people on a college campus. They confront issues such as drugs, alcohol, violence, racism, and the loss of a loved one.

University Heights was selected the winner by Hollywood director John Singleton, director of “Boyz ‘n the Hood,” Catherine Hardwicke, director of “Thirteen,” Nicole Kassell, director of “The Woodsman, and MTV staff, as well as online voters. Beck and Woods received a development deal with MTV and a home theater system as prizes.

“To have someone like John Singleton choose our movie is amazing,” said Beck.

Beck and Woods have been writing, directing, and producing films for the past seven years. So far, they have produced 13 short films and four feature length films. University Heights was created with a budget of just 300 dollars and used all local actors.

“We are lucky to work with a lot of free talent,” said Woods.

“It’s also rewarding to watch the actors who have little to no experience,” added Beck.

The directors said the hardest part of filming was that the movie took place on University grounds, and that the film was shot in 16 days. They faced difficulties working around schedules, sequences, different shots, and also holidays.

“We tried to shoot over Valentines Day,” said Beck. “Nobody wanted to be there.”

Ironically enough, even though both are communication majors, neither is a part of the film program at the college.

“We learn as we go,” said Beck. “I can’t balance in-school work and out-of-school work.”

“There are certainly moments we are proud of and then things that didn’t turn out,” said Woods.

But their resumes continue to grow. They entered several films in the competition, and two trailers placed in the top five. They will be meeting with MTV executives in the next several weeks.

“We’d love for the MTV deal to pan out. It has already opened doors for us,” said Woods.

The event that brought the filmmakers to campus was a part of Morningside’s Entrepreneurship in the Arts Speaker Series.

“It’s awesome that our students can see what pursuing a journey looks like,” said Faculty Sponsor Pam Mickelson.