Mode of Program Participation
Performances and Arts
Participation Type
Film
Session Abstract or Summary
Dr. Walter Squire of Marshall University Film Studies actually suggested I apply. My film Arcadia screened as a Marshall Film Studies special event, and had a great reception.
In addition to being a visually exciting and unique film, Arcadia is an experiment in combing a rural area (with no real film community) for talent, locations and volunteers—and weaving these into a narrative film. The story and situations were truly informed by the local elements.
Presentation #1 Title
Arcadia: Creating Narrative Films from Our Surroundings
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Arcadia is an 83 minute feature film which was crowdfunded and made in rural Southeastern Ohio. The creation of the film is unique in that the locations, artists and performers of the area informed the fictitious story. If the film had been made a few towns over, it would have completely different performers, artists, actors and locations—even though the core story may have survived.
The bulk of Arcadia was filmed in and around the historic Colony Theatre which was empty with peeling plaster walls. It has since been renovated and has reopened as the Peoples Bank Theatre. The film serves as a record of the pre-renovation condition. Several other "hidden" historic locations were utilized for their windowless, block-wall, underground style.
Unique "vintage" area performers were used for to round out the fictitious community in Arcadia: juggles, silk dancers, fire poi handlers, bubble makers, gypsy bands (an acoustic Qiet) and more. Visual artists around town were enlisted for sculptures, costuming and paintings.
Arcadia is also a testament to micro-budget film making in a community with little to no film experience. The all-volunteer cast and crew were eager to work on weekends for the project, simply to be involved in a feature film. The film maker is self-taught and wanted to push himself to finish a quality film. The result is a visually exciting work of fiction which examines the concepts of home and artistic fulfillment.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Andy Hall is a West Virginia native and has worked for over 25 years in the graphic design field. In the last few years has incorporated video into his work with Stonewall Group in Marietta, OH—a marketing firm where he works full time.
His love of film has been with him since childhood, and his first short won Best Local Film at the Colony Film Festival. His second short, a stop-motion animation called The Stone, was screened at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus and was licensed by ShortsTV out of London. Arcadia is Andy’s first feature. His duties for Arcadia include writer, producer, director, art director, cinematographer, editor, visual fx and sound designer.
Andy is also a drum set player who can be heard with the modern vocal-jazz group Jess Baldwin Quintet, his fiance’s band. He creates personal projects under his own business, Zetetic Studios, LLC.
Arcadia: Creating Narrative Films from Our Surroundings
Arcadia is an 83 minute feature film which was crowdfunded and made in rural Southeastern Ohio. The creation of the film is unique in that the locations, artists and performers of the area informed the fictitious story. If the film had been made a few towns over, it would have completely different performers, artists, actors and locations—even though the core story may have survived.
The bulk of Arcadia was filmed in and around the historic Colony Theatre which was empty with peeling plaster walls. It has since been renovated and has reopened as the Peoples Bank Theatre. The film serves as a record of the pre-renovation condition. Several other "hidden" historic locations were utilized for their windowless, block-wall, underground style.
Unique "vintage" area performers were used for to round out the fictitious community in Arcadia: juggles, silk dancers, fire poi handlers, bubble makers, gypsy bands (an acoustic Qiet) and more. Visual artists around town were enlisted for sculptures, costuming and paintings.
Arcadia is also a testament to micro-budget film making in a community with little to no film experience. The all-volunteer cast and crew were eager to work on weekends for the project, simply to be involved in a feature film. The film maker is self-taught and wanted to push himself to finish a quality film. The result is a visually exciting work of fiction which examines the concepts of home and artistic fulfillment.
