Last Tuesday, the Radio, TV and Film program hosted their second event of the three week Tennessee Film Nights at Atlantic Ale House.
The event had eight films screened in the event, which are listed in order of screening: “Albiene” by Caleb Mehaffey, “Hopeless Redeemer” by Jake Burbage, “Rudy’s Watches” by Jordan Clark, “Lost and Found” by Jacob Higgs, “Video Paradiso” by Jared Smith, “Shy Bird” by Keegan Croom, “Colors” by Stephen Jansen and “One True Thing I Know” by Sara Huard.
The theme this week was “Sacred Moments” and was organized by participating filmmaker, Jacob Higgs.
“It was a hodgepodge of wanting to portray a vague meaning followed by beautiful cinematography,” Higgs said. “It means a lot for me to convey the overall scenery as a composition of beauty, find meaning in what you can or simply enjoy the view, so I wanted it to be vague but visually appealing at the same time.”
The films overall did just that showing various moments of darkness and beauty from home video of loved ones to finding oneself in loneliness and battling depression. Also in attendance was another participating filmmaker and ETSU advertising/public relations student, Sara Huard.
“I found it challenging to visually translate my personal struggles with change in order to really convey my whole message, which is, ‘Don’t resist change,'” Huard said. “It was just something I wanted to put together to visually represent what was happening currently in my life.”
Higgs and Huard also gave some advice for other filmmakers starting out.
“Be your own reliable factor, and don’t fall victim to relying on others when you want to make something,” Higgs said.
“If you’re stuck creatively, turn to emotion/turn inward,” Huard added. “Creativity isn’t surface level, so spend time with yourself.”
The venue was largely packed with many of the tables outside filled with people watching the screenings either in support or as just patrons of the ale house stumbling onto a movie night.
“Atlantic Ale House is a great setting and a great vibe for people to come enjoy themselves and for artists to share their work,” Huard said of the venue. “Great energy and company.”
“I am glad to have had the opportunity to show my work and the work of others,” Higgs stated. “The venue is perfectly balanced with the downtown atmosphere and the upcoming productions that can be outsourced through ETSU.”
Higgs and Huard are still currently working on multiple projects following their outing at the film night.
“I am currently working on more design/advertising related projects while searching for inspiration for my next short film,” Huard expressed. “I miss getting out there with a camera.”
“I am working the Atlantic Film Nights, JC Film Festival and Wild & Scenic Film Festival,” Higgs said “I am also doing working on horror projects, video essays and papers for submissions to other festivals.”
The next and final event of the Tennessee Film Nights series at the Atlantic Ale House will be next Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. The last theme will be “How to Survive the Winter.”
