Arts
‘What’s Up, Docs?’ UA event showcases student-made documentaries BY KRISTEN CASTILLO
dents) produce and getting to see the During a regular academic year, the stories from all around them,” says Jacob School of Theatre, Film & Television at the Bricca, associate professor and head of University of Arizona holds a screening of the UA production division. He guided junior Bachelor of Fine Arts student-made documentaries every December at the Loft Cinema called “What’s students in production of their self-conceptualized documentaries during the Up, Docs?” fall semester. Though operating mostly online, he instructed students in planning their films, working with the equipment In just three seasons as head coach, former WNBA player Adia Barnes transformed the struggling and navigating through the post-produc- University of Arizona women’s basketball team into one of the top programs in the country. “Adia,” directed by Zoe Lambert, premieres at “What’s Up, Docs?” (Photos courtesy UA) tion process. To adhere to COVID-19 guidelines ented ideas to spotlighting unique fea- ficult at times.” Despite the difficulties of the online forduring production, students wore masks, tures of Tucson. “I think this is a strange time where mat and stress from current events, stuconducted on-camera interviews in dents overcame adversities in outdoor settings or their creation process. through video chat, and “You have an idea, but then filmed on-site at their you approach things in the own level of comfort. real world and you’re subject “Everyone took a difto the whims of chance and ferent approach in makthe whims of how things turn ing the films and ended out,” Bricca says. up with a pretty varied A woman reflects on her failed attempt at “You pivot and you adapt. mending political division in the wake of the tu- and strong bunch of multuous 2020 presidential election in “Why? A work,” Bricca says. … I think there was a sense of Social Experiment,” directed by Sarah Cowherd. accomplishment that was felt With the assistance of collectively by the class by the However, due to the extraordinary cir- Bricca, students mainend — having overcome this cumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, tained full creative consituation and produced work the event will showcase 15 films and be trol over their projects that was personally fulfilling held on the theater’s online streaming and produced their docplatform from February 4 to February 17, umentaries either inde- On a rusty Washington farm, an ambitious teen reflects on the tiring but reward- in one way or another.” ing life of being a modern cowgirl in “The Crummy,” directed by Hunter Snider. Though not the ideal outlet pendently or in groups free of charge. “I’m looking forward to the communi- of two. The topics of the documentaries some people have, paradoxically, had ex- of showcasing the final documentaries, ty getting to see the work that (the stu- vary from exploring personal family-ori- perience of great intimacy or closeness,” Bricca is excited for his students’ work to Bricca says. “It’s also been a very isolating be shared with university alum and the time when you feel like things are oper- Tucson community. “Our students are just begging and dyating at half energy or half speed. It feels ing for a physical audience for their work, like a bit of ghost town in some places.” While they worked diligently to com- and this is not going to be it, but there plete their projects, Bricca met with stu- are some silver linings,” Bricca says. “We dents individually throughout their pro- have a larger community of alums who cess to offer advice and guidance over are always interested in what the current Zoom. However, as the semester contin- students are doing, and it’s a way for us ued, Bricca realized that the discussions to introduce them to our current students with students evolved from general doc- who will be graduating soon.” While the main purpose of this screenumentary-making questions to dealing ing is to showcase students’ work, Bricca with the turmoil of the pandemic. “Their families have had different ex- looks forward to sharing the many stories. “There is a lot of very rich material that periences through the pandemic,” Bricca says. “They, themselves, experienced a lot is going on all around us, and I’m just exof stress. Politically, things are quite tense cited for people to see the work and see Three individuals speak about their experiences growing up Asian in America; their struggles with masculinity, identity and conformity; and the ways they reconnect and stay in touch with their cul- and (more) unusual than they were last the stories that are out there,” Bricca says. ture in “Asian and American,” directed by Andy Zhao. semester, and doing school like this is dif-
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FEBRUARY 2021
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