A short film written and directed by students at Missouri Western State University was selected for screening at the Kansas City Film Festival in the Heartland Narrative Shorts Category. It was screened on April 12 and 13 at the Alamo Drafthouse Mainstreet theatre in Kansas City, Mo.
In the spring semester of 2010, senior Brian Duskey, from Barberton, Ohio, wrote “It’s Been a Pleasure” in a screenwriting class taught by Dallas Henry, assistant director of theatre and cinema.
“It’s awesome to see something you wrote get selected at a festival,” said Duskey, a theatre and cinema major. He said it was the first one he had written for Henry.
Kelsey Houser, from Easton Mo., who was assistant director on the film, attended one of the screenings. She said the festival was a great opportunity to network with directors and producers, along with viewing the other films that were selected. The film festival website said the annual festival features more than 100 local, regional, national and international films.
“This is a huge deal,” said Henry. “This is a large, respected festival and it is a wonderful opportunity for the students.”
He noted that several students, some of who have since graduated, were involved in the production. Michael Nielson ’11, and Matt Wright ’12, both from St. Joseph, directed the film as part of their directing class that spring, and student Shaun Allison, Milan, Mo., was the cinematographer. Others involved included Steve Catron and student Amber Anaya, Kansas City, Mo., as actors; Alesha Bird ’11, Springfield, Mo., as producer; and student Misty Ballew, Pleasant Hill, Mo. and Mike Blevins ’12, Panorama City, Calif., on sound.
Duskey said he has completed seven film projects since “It’s Been A Pleasure,” and he hopes some of his other films will be selected for festivals in the future. “No matter what I do (in the future), I believe it’s my job to tell stories. I think that’s where I’m headed, no matter what.”
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.
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