In these days where the film industry is dominated by blockbusters and giant multiplexes, much of the beauty of film is lost. Film isn't just about sitting silently in a crowded theater for 90 minutes with popcorn and Coke in hand, desperately trying to ignore a crying child in the audience. The art of film is often enjoyed best as a collaborative interaction between screen and audience. Films give the audience a chance to laugh with each other and, often, at ourselves.
Rough theaters for films can be in an assortment of places including backyards, warehouses, side of buildings, anywhere that is conventionally reserved for other activities. Often the locations for these rough theaters reflect the mood or theme of the film that is shown. For instance, a film describing rural life might be shown in a barn, or a documentary on health standards could be held in a meat packing plant. The idea is to use the setting as another character in the film. Our class will be showing our final projects in the Silva's backyard at the end of the semester. This is a wonderful time to interact with our fellow film students in an environment that is warm and friendly. Everyone knows what we have to go through as filmmakers so everyone supports one another as we display our one minute films.
