August 22, 2011 Welcome Back Issue

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The Rambler | Welcome Back No. 1 | August 22, 2011

’s

Rambler Keeper

NOTEBOOK

The Rambler

Founded in 1917 as The Handout Publisher: Harold G. Jeffcoat

Table of Contents

Shauna Banks editor-in-chief

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi photo editor Rachel Peel community editor

FALL TV PREMIERES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PLASTIC ELIMINATES STYROFOAM TO-GO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 HOW THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER CAN HELP YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Alejandra Garcia campus features editor

WALDROP’S WINS RECOGNIZED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Jordan Twine arts & entertainment editor

POLY INCORPORATED IN RAIL EXPANSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Melissa Bates staff writer

POLY TREATED TO NEW CONVENIENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 , 9

Taylor Gill contributing writer Erica Estrada cartoonist

FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE REVAMPED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MAIDEN TEXAS MADE IN TEXAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 HIDE YO KIDS. HIDE YO WIFE / IN CASE YOU MISSED IT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Wendy L. Moore faculty adviser

ALERT SYSTEMS OPT OUT NATIONWIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Dr. Kay Colley faculty liaison

VAUGHN REJECTS TAMPA BAY RAYS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Cover Design by Shauna Banks Cover photos by Meisa Keivani Najafabadi & Rachel Peel Cover art by Erica Estrada

STREET ART SETS SCENE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Associated Collegiate Press, Student Press Law Center, College Media Advisers and College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers.

Opinions expressed in The Rambler are those of the individual authors only and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Texas Wesleyan community as a whole.

Address all correspondence to: Texas Wesleyan University The Rambler 1201 Wesleyan St. Fort Worth, TX 76105 twurambler@yahoo.com To contact T he R ambler (817) 531-7552 Advertising Inquiries: (817) 532-7582

V T H P C R T LE O A O W MB C S E A H R T T E G

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P r e m i e r e s

Sept. 8

Oct. 2

Sept.15

Oct. 3

Sunday Night Football @ 7:30 p.m. - NBC Dexter @ 8 p.m. - Showtime The Vampire Diaries @ 7 p.m. - CW

Sept. 19

Two and a Half Men @ 8 p.m. - CBS

Sept. 20

Glee @ 7 p.m. - FOX The Biggest Loser @ 7 p.m. - NBC

Sept. 21

House @ 8 p.m. - FOX

NEW SERIES

Sept. 19

The Playboy Club @ 9 p.m. - NBC

Sept. 20

New Girl @ 8 p.m. - FOX

Modern Family @ 8 p.m. - ABC

Sept.22

The Big Bang Theory @ 7 p.m. - CBS Grey’s Anatomy @ 8 p.m. - ABC The Office @ 8 p.m. - NBC

Sept. 23

CSI: NY @ 8 p.m. - CBS Kitchen Nightmares @ 7 p.m. - FOX

Sept. 25

The Simpsons @ 7 p.m. - FOX Desperate Houswives @ 8 p.m. - ABC Family Guy @ 8 p.m. - FOX

Sept. 21

The X Factor @ 7 p.m. - FOX

Sept. 22

Charlie’s Angels @ 7 p.m. - ABC Person of Interest @ 8 p.m. - CBS Whitney @ 8:30 p.m. - NBC

Sept. 25

Pan Am @ 9 p.m. - ABC

Sept. 26

Terra Nova @ 7 p.m. - FOX Hart of Dixie @ 8 p.m. - CW

Career Services

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Plastic eliminates styrofoam to-go

tainers ordered from Glen Eve Together Enterprises, Inc. Housing staff will be distributStarting this fall, Dora’s Cafe ing the Eco-takeout containers to will replace all styrofoam con- Texas Wesleyan residents on Aug. tainers with reusable plastic con- 18 upon moving into residence Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff

Elena Vannaman,freshman business accounting major and volleyball player loads up her eco-takeout container at Dora’s. The eco-takeout containers will be giving to students that live of campus or may be purchased for $5.

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halls. All other students not living on campus and faculty who would like take-out will need to purchase one for $5 at Dora’s.

To get take-out, students and faculty will need to return their rinsed Eco-takeout containers and exchange them for a sanitized container.

Audrey Copeland, former sustainable products manager at Aramark, Wesleyan’s dining services provider, created the Ecotakeouts while a student at Eckerd College.

Copeland encouraged other schools across the country, such as Baylor University, University of Florida, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and University of Texas at Arlington to support their efforts and go green.

Elizabeth Cheong, director of dining services at the UTA, said they have already began to use the Eco-takeouts, and the use of the containers has been successful.

The purchase of the Eco-takeouts was funded by a 4 percent increase in housing charges. Three hundred and fourteen have been ordered for residents, but Sharon Manson, residence life director, said she’ll have to order more for faculty, exchanges and extras.

“Change is always met with resistance, but I think it will be a

good thing overall,” Manson said.

Freshman business accounting major Elena Vannaman disagrees with the change.

“I think it’s a great idea just to recycle,” Vannaman said.

Cary Poole, dean of students, visited UTA to see the progress of the Eco-takeouts.

“From what I’ve seen at UT Arlington, they’ve been very successful,” Poole said.

Some students do not seem to have a problem with the change.

“It’s a good way to go green,” Marissa Rangel, senior liberal studies major, said. “I think it’ll work.”

Last fall, the Blue Plus Gold Equals Green committee began its recycling program in an effort to go green. Recycling bins for paper and aluminum cans are now available in most buildings on campus.

William Timmerman, director of dining services, said the Wesleyan community is intent on making changes to help the world.

“We need to be aware of our surroundings and where we can help,” Timmerman said.

Micah Young, freshman psychology major, said. Wesleyan can really benefit from these changes.

“The times are changing, either go with it or get left behind,” Young said.

Brian McDaniel | Rambler Staff Terry Waldrop, men’s head basketball coach, sits back to enjoy holding Wesleyan’s record for most wins 245-131, just a piece of the success that has made him part of the nation’s top 25 non-Division I men’s head basketball coaches.

Waldrop’s wins recognized Taylor Gill

tagill@mail.txwes.edu

Terry Waldrop, Texas Wesleyan’s head men’s basketball coach, puts his name in the history books as he is ranked within the nation’s top 25 non-Division I men’s head basketball coaches.

Waldrop said this honor is one that he considers the work of his entire coaching staff, not just himself.

“We are honored that people from across the country see the success that we have had with our players and our staff,” Waldrop said.

According to the Wesleyan athletics website, last season the Ram men’s basketball team finished first in conference with a final record of 30-4, contributing to Waldrop’s holding Wesleyan’s all-time winning record of 245131.

He is also recognized for his five trips to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics tournament, winning in 2006.

“The Rams are the most successful basketball program in the state of Texas at all levels in number of wins the last four years,” Waldrop said.

Waldrop said he holds his team to high levels of work ethic and accountability, and brings compassion to the game.

“Coach Waldrop gives me the freedom to work,” Brennan Shingleton, assistant men’s basketball coach, said. “He has always allowed me to put my stamp on this program. It’s a unique opportunity to be able to get my hands dirty everyday and actually see the hard work pay off.”

Shingleton said Ram coaches want players to not only be great citizens but great student-athletes and teammates. He said it is all about trusting the system and holding each player accountable.

Former All-American guard Jonathan Blake said one of the most important things he has learned from coach Waldrop was to be a model citizen on and off the court.

Waldrop said this is his 26th year to coach and 13th at Wesleyan.

He said he was influenced by his father to coach and make a difference the way his father and other coaches did in his life.

Blake said Waldrop was never afraid to yell but at the same time took the initiative to pull players aside and tell them how to be better players.

“Every season seems to separate and distinguish itself from the rest,” Waldrop said. “I am looking forward to this season and getting back in the gym and doing what we do best.”

Poly incorporated in rail expansion Rachel Peel

rlpeel@mail.txwes.edu

The Polytechnic community may soon see plans for new public transportation.

The Fort Worth Transit System (The-T) and Southeast Fort Worth Incorporated are working with the Fort Worth community to take part in a feasibility study to expand the transportation system including the Polytechnic Heights area.

Joan Hunter, communications manager of The-T, said the study is to determine what type of connecting transportation, would be feasible for the proposed route.

Hunter said once the proposed route of services most feasible is decided, the next step is a financial analysis.

A financial analysis is when a company looks at its finances before making a decision. After the financial analysis is completed, then the funds available will help city officials determine what type of services the community will need.

“If the project is approved to move forward, there would still be several years of planning and engineering before construction would begin,” Hunter said.

Deborah Roark, Title III director of grants and research at Wesleyan and member of the advisory board, said due to the population growth in the Fort Worth area,

publ i c t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i s b ecoming congested.

According to the city of Fort Worth’s website, over the past 10 years, the Fort Worth population has increased by 38.6 percent. In 2009 the Fort Worth population was 727,577. The 2010 census revealed that Fort Worth’s population was 741,206 people.

“All of the major cities have rails, so what the city is looking at is where we would need it, where would it be used, and how will we help our people move around,” Roark said.

Jeremy Burnett,junior math major and Spanish major said he uses the rail system only when necessary.

“I don’t think they necessarily need to add anything, I just think that they need to make the ability to get from one place to another quickly a higher priority,” Burnett said.

Burnett said if The-T would eliminate stops they would operate more quickly.

The Fort Worth Transit System held the second of three meetings on April 18 at the Handley Meadowbrook Community Center in Fort Worth.

Although the date has not been decided, Hunter said TheT’s next public meeting will be held this fall to discuss what will be done.

Illustration by Erica Estrada | Rambler Staff Map of the Southeast Fort Worth area that the Fort Worth Transit System is looking toward expanding the TRE rail system.

POLY treated to NEW

CONVENIENCE

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Jordan Twine

jtwine@mail.txwes.edu

Wesleyan students can now fill their gas tanks, grab a bite to eat and catch an affordable phone plan at Polytechnic’s new Stop 6 Exxon strip.

The strip opened July 26 and includes a Stop 6 Exxon, Metro PCS and Golden Chick. The establishment will have a formal ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Aug. 26 and is located at 1201 MLK Freeway (the corner of E. Rosedale & Highway 287).

This grand opening event is open to the public, and Betsy Price, mayor of Fort Worth, will wield the giant scissors to cut the ribbon.

Kim Gatlin, librarian and alumna at Wes-

leyan, said the new strip offers something new to the Fort Worth community—particularly for Wesleyan.

“Metro PCS - there’s a lot of people that use that in this area, so that will be good,” Gatlin said. “I think it is a good idea.”

Geovanny Ortiz, Metro PCS sales representative, said he is glad it’s close to Wesleyan and Metro PCS is a good provider for students on a budget. Ortiz said PCS offers plans as low as $40 a month with unlimited talk, text and web.

Metro PCS is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Mike Vasaya, general manager of Stop 6 Exxon, said the location of the strip was something the Polytechnic Heights community needed. Vasaya said

it took several years to get approval to build the strip center due to construction delays off Highway 287 and on Rosedale Street.

“It’s been closed off for at least 12 years,” Vasaya said.

“By early next year they should be done with all the construction so it’s [Rosedale Street] going to be open. All the traffic’s going to pass through here.”

The Stop 6 Exxon is open 24 hours for business, and the Golden Chick is open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mina Vasaya, general manager of Golden Chick, said the fast food restaurant has deals it will implement after the grand opening.

Some of the specials include family and single deals, $5 deals, student discounts upon presentation of a student i.d.,

and lucky 13 — 13 tenders with a drink and a side for $13.

“We will be running specials after the 26th,” Mina said. “We are expecting back-to-school flyers any day.”

Mina also said there will be possible employment opportunities for students at Wesleyan in the future.

“When we get busier, we will be hiring,” Mina said. “We will just keep two spots open for each shift for TWU students.”

Christena Welch, junior English major, said the Golden Chick will give students an offcampus place to hang out.

“I think it’s good because it will be more economical for students to just go out and get food,” Welch said. “And probably just chill out and study somewhere besides campus.”

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Freshman experience revamped Melissa Bates

mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

The Freshman Success Experience classroom received a facelift over the summer—Extreme Makeover style.

The total cost for the project is $16,000. To date, about $13,000 has been donated.

In June, Dr. Kelly Flynn, principal consultant for Behavioral Science Technologies and the wife of Board of Trustee member Jan Fersing, approached Wesleyan about donating money in the name of her husband’s 75th birthday to improve the learning experience of students.

Additional money put towards the renovation was donated by Wesleyan administration, faculty, staff and Fersing’s friends.

Joe Brown, dean of freshman success and professor of theatre and communication, and Joan Canty, vice president of university advancement, met with Flynn to show her several Wesleyan spaces.

“We showed her the basement of Stella Russell Hall, the freshman advising center, the patio outside the gym and the FSE classroom; spaces that could, for a certain amount of money, be enhanced and have a name put on it,” Brown said.

Flynn said she chose the FSE classroom because it seemed more self-contained than the other locations.

Brown said the plan was to only replace the seating in the

Alejandra Garcia | Rambler Staff The Freshman Success Experience classroom is treated to a new look designed by Joe Brown, dean of freshman success and professor of theatre and communication. The total cost for the project was $16,000.

FSE classroom.

However, Brown said he was able to stretch Flynn’s donation further than originally anticipated, so the room, in a matter of three weeks, received a full make-over.

“I had the luxury of total freedom to design due to Kelly’s generosity,” Brown said.

Flynn said her husband is dedicated to Texas Wesleyan, and she wanted to provide something that would be beneficial to students and honor her husband for his birthday.

“When I talked to Joan, I said what I’m really thinking is

something for students, something that contributes to their success and their enjoyment of their experience at Texas Wesleyan,” Flynn said.

Though Fersing did not graduate from Wesleyan, it has not diminished his appreciation for the school.

“I think Wesleyan staff and professors are driven and motivated,” Fersing said. “They need to be encouraged and rewarded to reinforce the tremendous difference they make in the lives of students.”

Salvador Alcala, sophomore bilingual education major, took

the FSE class in fall 2010.

“When I took this class, we just had tables, which made the room look little,” Alcala said. “We had difficulty moving around to make groups and work on projects,” he said.

Alcala said the FSE classroom will inspire students to learn, and that he would like to thank Flynn and Fersing for their donation.

“I think it’s good that she’s not only giving him his birthday present, but she’s actually giving us a better environment to learn and get a great freshman experience,” Alcala said.

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UP-TO-DATE NEWS

Jordan Twine

jtwine@mail.txwes.edu

Staring down into the faces of on-looking anxious Texans, three starlets deliver a peaceful harmony. Roars and whistles muffled in applause boom like thunder from the crowd in praise of the countrytinged music artists. The audience soon falls victim to the enchantment of Maiden Texas, a Lone Star state born country band.

Three aspiring singers DeAwna Wood, assistant director of alumni at Texas Wesleyan, Krista Hughes-Bailey, executive academic administrator at Texas Wesleyan, and Stephanie Pruitt met during the summer of 1998 at Six Flags over Texas as individual vocalists.

At Six Flags, Hughes-Bailey approached Wood and Pruitt with a proposal.

“I just made the suggestion that if we weren’t doing anything, maybe we could try singing a trio,” Hughes-Bailey said.

Wood and Pruitt were on board, and after singing together, they quickly noticed they had a unique blend. The group began performing together and decided to call themselves Three Step.

“Three Step was a joke,” Hughes-Bailey said. “In height we stair step, Stephanie is the tallest and then me and DeAwna.”

With their harmony and presence, Three Step intrigued the president of Six Flags.

Wood said the trio was perform-

ing at Six Flags and the president happened to be walking by.

“The president was real hands-on, walking out and about at the park,” Wood said.

“He happened to walk by and thought ‘We should let these girls have their own show.’”

As the women’s careers took shape they changed the group name to Maiden Texas. The “maidens” would soon be a part of Your Big Break, a TV show that aired on NBC for upcoming acts.

All three were flown to Los Angeles and the show was recorded in the same studio building the Tonight Show with Jay Leno is shot.

“The guy who played Carlton on Fresh Prince was the host of the show,” Wood said. “It was fun.”

Pruitt, who works from her home as a sales manager, said they had to make a trip to Austin to audition for the show. There they found out the producers were looking for something in particular.

“We had to drive quite a ways to audition for that,” Pruitt said.

“They were looking for someone to play the Dixie Chicks.”

Maiden Texas made their mark on the Texas State Fair Chevy Main Stage in 2001. Since then, the state fair has become a staple for the group to perform at over the years.

“We’ve been really lucky to do that for the last several years,” Hughes-Bailey said. “We thought we’d be on the side stage, but we’ve been on the main stage every year.”

All American Entertainment | Courtesy From left to right: Krista Hughes-Bailey, Stephanie Pruitt and DeAwna Wood make up country music trio Maiden Texas.

Maiden Texas has continued to grace stages across the Metroplex, even performing at the Lone Star Park for the Fourth of July this year.

They will perform at 7:30 p.m.

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Sept. 3 at Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue in Arlington. Maiden Texas will also make their way back to the Texas State Fair Chevy main stage Oct. 5.

Visit us online at therambler.org.

Pick up a copy every Wednesday in newsstands across campus.

In Case you Missed It....

May 2, 2011 - Osama Bin Laden killed in a residential compound in Pakistan.

June 29, 2011- Lindsay Lohan released from house arrest after violating her probation.

July 5, 2011 - Casey Anthony accused of murdering her 2-year old daughter was found innocent and released from prison.

Alert systems opt out nationwide Shauna Banks

sbbanks@mail.txwes.edu

In the event of a crisis or inclement weather situation on campus, close to 100 percent of Texas Wesleyan students will soon receive instant notifications.

Following a state law passed over the summer, colleges in Texas are now required to use opt-out emergency notification systems for their students, as opposed to the current opt-in systems.

“It’s for everyone’s safety and security, and it’s great that we are able to do something like that with today’s technology,” said Steve Roberts, associate vice president of administrative services and human resources. “It wasn’t that long ago that something like this was out of the question.”

This means that instead of students having to sign up for the Wesleyan Emergency Management System through the university’s website with their RamLink information, they will be automatically put in the system upon registering for classes. Students can also sign an opt-out form if they do not want to be included in the WEMS alert system.

This change will not go into effect for Wesleyan until Spring 2012. Roberts said the change in systems should have a positive impact since it will potentially reach all of the Wesleyan community, as opposed to the current 25 percent.

Students can currently register for WEMS to receive text message, phone and email alerts by visiting http://www.txwes.edu/security/RegisterProc.htm. Detailed instructions are given on this web page explaining how to proceed with registration. Students must have their RamLink username and password to register.

Bradden Van Noy, president of the Student Government Association, said with the heightened rate of violence on college campuses nationwide over the past decade, the opt-out system will be an important component to campus safety in the future.

“The opt-out---that is awesome.

I think every student needs to be on the list. I don’t know why they wouldn’t want to be on the list,” Van Noy said. “Getting the word out to everybody when something happens, I think would do a lot in stopping further violence from happening if there were issues.”

www.txwes.edu | Courtesy To register for WEMS http://www.txwes.edu/security/RegisterProc.htm.

Pati Alexander, vice president of enrollment and student services, said with the increase in students living in the dorms at 90 percent capacity this fall, Wesleyan administrators have worked to implement other campus safety and facilities improvements.

Some improvements still in early stages include installing monitored cameras around campus to deter car break-ins and replacing chain-link fences with wrought

iron fencing.

“It’s quite expensive to do all of those things, so we’re trying to break off the pieces that we think would have the biggest impact on the perception of safety,” Alexander said.

She said with the switch to the Guardsmark security company last summer and neighborhood patrolling by the Fort Worth Police Department, Wesleyan continues to be one of the safest universities in and around Fort Worth.

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Vaughn rejects Tampa Bay Rays Eliana Mijangos

emmijangos@mail.txwes.edu

Meisa Keivani Najafabadi | Rambler Staff Ram’s pitcher, junior Derek Vaughn, turns down an opportunity to play for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Vaughn’s coach said his decision to play another year in college was smart and will bring him more competitive offers for next years draft.

WATCH

RAMBLER TV GET LIVE

Wesleyan Pitcher Derek Vaughn takes the next step toward becoming a Major League Baseball player, rejecting an offer to play with the Tampa Bay Rays on day three of baseball’s 2011 Major league first-year player draft.

Vaughn said the money was not enough to turn down his opportunities at Wesleyan.

“It’s not about the team, but the opportunity,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said his career goal is to follow in his father’s footsteps, Ram pitching coach DeWayne Vaughn, and play for the New York Mets or Texas Rangers.

“I’ve grown up knowing the ins and outs of baseball,” Vaughn said. “It’s been instilled in my mind throughout my experiences with my dad.”

Mike Jeffcoat, head men’s baseball coach, said Vaughn started playing baseball in

high school but did not do a lot of pitching.

“We made him our starting pitcher once we saw his work ethic,” Jeffcoat said.

Jeffcoat said Vaughn’s decision to play another year of college ball was smart and will bring him more competitive offers, especially after the training he has done with his father this summer.

“I’ve really increased my workouts [this summer],” Vaughn said. “I have focused on strengthening my core and rotator cuff through swimming.”

Vaughn’s teammates speak highly of his knowledge for the game as only an incoming junior.

“Derek is a young and talented player who is only going to get better as the years pass,” Drew Cavender, Texas Wesleyan alumni and pitcher, said.

Jeffcoat said if Vaughn continues to pitch from low to mid 90s, the scouts’ interest can only increase.

Vaughn began his college

baseball career at Arkansas Fort Smith Junior College and continued to Oklahoma University for only a semester before finding a home at Wesleyan his sophomore year.

Vaughn said he has told several friends he knows are unhappy playing at the Division I level about the opportunities both Ram baseball and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics offers.

He said that opposite from what he thought coming out of high school, it is possible to shine in the NAIA division and even be drafted out of college.

Vaughn is the 37th Wesleyan player to be drafted and said since more and more players are seeing the opportunities that NAIA baseball offers, this season could possibly be the best season Wesleyan has had.

“It’s a life-long journey,” Vaughn said. “This year is just another chapter in the book of baseball.”

Name | Rambler Staff Engaging documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, offers viewers a glimpse into the world of street art. Although it does not have a credited director, it captures the essence of underground street artists throughout the entire film.

Street art sets scene Alejandra Garcia

agarcia@mail.txwes.edu

Exit Through the Gift Shop, a documentary released last year, has quickly introduced many people to the world of street art.

With its imaginative art and intriguing personas, Exit Through the Gift Shop keeps the viewer entertained throughout the entire film and is available for rental at Blockbuster and on Netflix.

In today’s society, street art is more commonly called graffiti.

However, it has gone past simple tagging to visually striking images. Underground artists push themselves to create meaningful artwork and continually raise the bar.

Underground artists, including Shepard Fairey, Space Invader and Banksy debut in this documentary.

Though no one is accredited as director in the film, Banksy, an infamous graffiti artist from Britain whose identity remains unknown throughout the entire film, is widely accepted as the director.

The film begins in the point of view of Thierry Guetta, a French clothing store owner living in Los Angeles, fascinated by the world of street art and devoted to filming everything he sees.

Guetta follows underground artists with his camera, giving them the impression that he will later use the footage to produce a film chronicling the street art movement, when in fact he just

throws the tapes in unorganized boxes, having no intention of watching them—much less creating a film.

The film provides us with an in-depth look at the street art movement. Viewers are made aware of things they may have never considered before, such as the danger underground artists face in creating their art, the message they are trying to convey and the origin of their inspiration.

About half way through, the film takes on a new direction.

Banksy takes over directing and Guetta is committed to being an underground artist himself, taking on the name Mr. Brainwash. Though his creativity and innovation is certainly not at the level of the others, he still manages to operate a big, extravagant exhibition in a short amount of time.

After viewing this film, it cannot be denied that street art is meaningful. It is impactful and has the power to influence a community.

This documentary makes the viewer rethink his or her definition of art and contradicts every belief that art is dead and boring.

“Exit Through the Gift Shop is not only fabulously made, it will probably spark a discussion about what art is, and its role in society,” said G. Allen Johnson, staff writer at San Francisco Chronicle.

The film was nominated for an Oscar this year, and though it did not win, the loss certainly did not lessen the influence it created.