Photo courtesy Robert Rosen

Inside the graduation video

Allie Marshall
Staff Reporter

Following an entire semester of hard work, the students from Assistant Professor of Communication and Digital Media Paul Chilsen's Advanced Video Production class will get to see their senior video screened for the first time at Commencement on May 24.

"This is the sixth year that a video honoring the graduates has been shown in lieu of a traditional commencement speaker. It has become a tradition because the graduates and their families each year tell us they very much like the practice," said Associate Vice President for Communications Robert Rosen.

Students in the class spend the latter half of the semester working on this project. They help come up with ideas for the script, coordinate actors and other students to assist in production, perform interviews with an array of seniors, and they even do most of the camera work. The majority of the time however, is spent developing a strong structure for the film.

Once a theme is developed the students in the class work with a client to move the project along into the production stage. Rosen plays the part of the client, and Chilsen plays the part of the executive producer.

"This whole process really helps students to develop project management skills as well as organizational skills, learning how to deal with a boss, and pitching their own ideas to a group," said Chilsen.

Students in the class contact seniors, who play the various roles in the film, give interviews, contribute pictures, and perform a variety of other tasks that contribute to the overall production. Not only are seniors involved, but other students also help with the graphic work, the music, and any other aspect of film production that may need assistance.

The theme this year is a little more conceptual than last year. It is a red carpet approach to graduation. Nicolette Lalor, '09, played the host for the video. She said, "My majors are Theatre and English, so I was definitely able to use my acting skills in this film."

The film is designed to give the audience a sense of what senior life is like at Carthage. Students filmed most of the footage on campus, but there is also some aerial footage taken by Chilsen from a plane flying over Carthage.

The theme from last year was "Camp Carthage". The film depicted a little boy getting on a bus to leave for camp, crying as he left his parents. When the boy got out of the vehicle, he was a freshman college student leaving home for the first time. He found a note in his bag from his mother reminding him to make friends. The theme last year was heavily reminiscent of past events in the seniors' lives.

The theme this year is a little more upbeat. It is entitled "Carthage Tonight." However, no other information can be released regarding this year's film until it is shown at the ceremony. When asked what he thought about this year's video Eric Stibbe, '09, said, "I think it is a good film that can be funny for those who have a great sense of humor. I am sure that there will be plenty of laughter from it."

Once the filming and editing has been completed, it is sent to the Board of Directors who review it the Friday prior to Commencement, just in case anything needs to be edited.

"The video is viewed publicly for the first time by graduates and their families during the Commencement Ceremony. This year, others will be able to view the video via the Carthage Web site approximately two weeks after the ceremony," said Rosen.

In addition to the Web site access, copies of the video will be burned onto a DVD for each family of the graduating seniors to have as a keepsake of their time at Carthage.

This whole process takes nearly a whole semester. It is one in which a large portion of the student body can be involved, and it really helps to prepare the students in the Advanced Video Production class for their future jobs.

"The skills that students learn during the production of this film are universally applicable. They are able to learn in an intense and gratifying way, and get instant feedback from their audience," said Chilsen.

Masquerade Ball begins Carthage tradition

Carmelo Chimera
Managing Editor

The DeKoven Center in Racine could be the scene of either a 19th century wedding, or the scene of a gothic horror movie. Last Saturday it was the site of Lambda Kappa's 1st Annual Masquerade Ball.

Complete with rustic brickwork, stone pathways, tall archways, and plenty of gardens, the Center was the perfect setting for a Masquerade Ball. Over 150 people attended, sporting luxurious dresses and suits and masks that ranged from the elegant to the startling (and more than a few opera phantoms). DJ's provided music for the event, and there was even live harpsichord music to bring a classical feel to the event.

Lambda Kappa, the music fraternity, has been kicking the idea for this event around since early last semester. Members of the fraternity at the event all shared enthusiasm for the large turnout and for the event itself. Kristyn Taggart, '11, is the treasurer of the fraternity, and first conceived the idea of a masquerade, "to combine music and theater into a formal event."

The group does plan on holding the event annually from now on. Carthaginians not in a Greek organization that want a formal event should look forward to this one next spring.