Pros Converge at Missouri State University to Help With Film Project
By: Mike Corcoran
Updated: January 30, 2012
(Springfield, MO) -- Professors on the campus of Missouri State University wanted to give their students a real life experience in the film industry. But rather then taking them to Hollywood, they decided to bring the Hollywood experience to campus.
From weapons experts to language professionals, "Epilogue Web Series" has dozens of students collaborating with some of the best of the best in the university, the city, and even across the industry.
And the post-apocalyptic thriller is raising more then pulses; it's raising the learning curve for future film professionals.
"I would call 'Epilogue' a new adventure," says Mark Biggs, head of the MSU Media, Journalism & Film Department. "Based upon a classic form of a television series, it is a six-part episodic drama."
"It's time travel," explains Erika Brame, Director of "Epilogue." "It's interesting time travel."
"It is about a worldwide plague," says Dr. Deborah Larson, Professor at MSU and Executive Producer of "Epilogue." "Our protagonists have to go back in time and find a cure."
No matter how many ways you describe the plot, there is one way to describe the production of Missouri State's production: big!
"Bigger then any of us thought it was going to be," smiles Dr. Larson.
What started as just an idea a year ago has exploded into full-scale collaboration.
"We are now building across classes, across the curriculum, and across the year to create a project that could not be conceived and completed in a single semester," says Biggs. "It's too big for that."
"We literally almost have a full film crew," says Dr. Larson. "So when I walk into class and I see 40 students in there I think, 'oh, my gosh!'"
"Epilogue" includes departments across the campus and even the city. And professors say because of that, students are getting a real life learning experience.
"Students learn best when they do hands-on learning," adds Biggs. "When they do peer groups, when they engage in a major capstone experience, or when the learning is active rather then passive."
"It makes us feel like it's our own," says Erika Brame. "Each person, this belongs to them in some way. It's a piece of them that they are adding to this film. And it makes a huge difference."
When the final production hits the web in April, students will have a more complete knowledge of the film industry and each other.
"We will all know each other's first and last names, kids and grandparents by the end of it all," smiles Erika. "And it's going to be awesome."
The six-episode project goes live on the web in July.
Check out the project's Facebook page
From weapons experts to language professionals, "Epilogue Web Series" has dozens of students collaborating with some of the best of the best in the university, the city, and even across the industry.
And the post-apocalyptic thriller is raising more then pulses; it's raising the learning curve for future film professionals.
"I would call 'Epilogue' a new adventure," says Mark Biggs, head of the MSU Media, Journalism & Film Department. "Based upon a classic form of a television series, it is a six-part episodic drama."
"It's time travel," explains Erika Brame, Director of "Epilogue." "It's interesting time travel."
"It is about a worldwide plague," says Dr. Deborah Larson, Professor at MSU and Executive Producer of "Epilogue." "Our protagonists have to go back in time and find a cure."
No matter how many ways you describe the plot, there is one way to describe the production of Missouri State's production: big!
"Bigger then any of us thought it was going to be," smiles Dr. Larson.
What started as just an idea a year ago has exploded into full-scale collaboration.
"We are now building across classes, across the curriculum, and across the year to create a project that could not be conceived and completed in a single semester," says Biggs. "It's too big for that."
"We literally almost have a full film crew," says Dr. Larson. "So when I walk into class and I see 40 students in there I think, 'oh, my gosh!'"
"Epilogue" includes departments across the campus and even the city. And professors say because of that, students are getting a real life learning experience.
"Students learn best when they do hands-on learning," adds Biggs. "When they do peer groups, when they engage in a major capstone experience, or when the learning is active rather then passive."
"It makes us feel like it's our own," says Erika Brame. "Each person, this belongs to them in some way. It's a piece of them that they are adding to this film. And it makes a huge difference."
When the final production hits the web in April, students will have a more complete knowledge of the film industry and each other.
"We will all know each other's first and last names, kids and grandparents by the end of it all," smiles Erika. "And it's going to be awesome."
The six-episode project goes live on the web in July.
Check out the project's Facebook page
