University of Virginia Library

Funds Sought

Film Union Begins Gradually

By Jeffrey Ruggles
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

It is hardly surprising to learn that the
average child of today spends much more
time watching television and films than
reading.

What is surprising, though, is to learn
that there are almost no film schools in
the nation, compared to the tremendous
number of schools teaching writing. Most
films and television in the United States are
produced by business oriented hacks, with little
regard for anything besides commercial success.

With this situation in mind, a new group on
the grounds has been formed: the Film
Production Union. Its eventual goal is to
provide the opportunity to learn film making,
just as one can now learn to write.

Beginning with a small organizational
meeting, and then progressing to two larger
meetings open to the community, the form of
the Film Union has gradually taken shape. The
largest barrier to becoming a functioning group
has been funds.

The three meetings have resulted in a
constitution being drawn up, the selection of
officers, tentative plans for some sort of
fund-raising film festival, and a general idea of
how the process of film production will work.

The main advantage of the Film Union will
be to provide film equipment which would be
beyond the financial means of any one student.
Although the actual film purchases will depend
on how much money can be raised through
Student Council and other sources, it is hoped
that a complete set of eight millimeter and 16
millimeter equipment will be acquired.

This would mean cameras of both sizes,
editing equipment usable for both sizes, and
perhaps viewers, etc. It is expected that
projectors and screens are abundant enough so
that they will not have to be bought.

Access to this equipment is a sticky
proposition. So far, the plan is this: general
membership in the Union will be two dollars.
This will give one certain advantages in seeing
Union sponsored films, and will allow one to
have a say in the future of the group — such as
further purchases, festivals, etc.

Within the Union, production units will
form. These can be groups of friends, people
who wish to make a particular film, or any
other group. These groups will arrange together
the use of the equipment, and raise funds for
actual film among themselves.

Before a group could use the equipment,
however, they would have to pass a proficiency
test, which is now being developed. Those
without experience would probably begin with
eight millimeter before using the sixteen
millimeter.

Once these production units have been
formed, there are many possibilities for the
Film Union. By concentrating on community
oriented films — possibly including films on the
Honor System, a history of the University,
speech therapy films, and more — students
might be able to find sponsors. In this way,
students could learn the craft of film making
without great expenses, and the community
could benefit as well.