2016 PRCC film expo delights attendees with myriad of subjects

On Saturday, April 23, PRCC’s Digital Media Coordinator/Museum Director and film production instructor Ronn Hague welcomed participants and guests to an evening of independent short films as he kicked off the first annual Pearl River Community College Independent Short Film Expo. The event, held at PRCC’s Ethel Holden Brownstone Center for the Arts, featured eight short films. Seven of those films had roots in the south Mississippi/Louisiana area.

Two of the films were led by female filmmakers. “Scylla,” a horror film by Irene Gracie of Teaghleagh Films, screened in the first half of the program. Jessy Hughes’ “Sam” aired in the second portion, with its supernatural suspense overtones.

Hague and the film production department headed two, both featuring children dealing with un-childlike problems. “The Hole” dealt with a turnabout situation between a bully and his victim and opened the first half. “Hard Choice” portrayed three young people discussing a difficult problem dealing with potential terrorism and the ramifications of various courses of action.

“Almost Mine” by PRCC alumnus and award-winning filmmaker Frank Ladner shared a post-apocalypse love story set in a hardscrabble world. The short aired third in the first half of the program.

Rounding out the first half, “Road to State” followed a Louisiana high school soccer team as they defended their state championship in 2015. Brooks McMahon created the sports documentary, which shared the story of the St. Paul’s High School Wolves in pursuit of a second title.

A half-hour break allowed guests to meet and talk with the people involved in the movies shown in the first half of the program.

The second half opened with Neil Brimelow’s “Mr. Dr. Pepper Sniffer,” a comedic look at a feisty young girl behind the counter of a small diner.

“Hard Choice” followed and Jessy Hughe’s “Sam” led to the biggest event of the evening.

For only the second cinematic airing in the United States, “Black Angel” by two-time Academy Award winner Roger Christian showed on the big screen of the Brownstone center. The movie opened for “Star Wars Episode Five: The Empire Strike Back” in Australia and Europe during the film’s initial release. Lost for decades, the negative was found and restored. Hague negotiated for the opportunity to screen the film as part of the Expo.

A second meet and greet capped the evening, as a community college and Hollywood South offered the world a sample of what a filmmaking class can spark.

Originally appeared 04/24/2016 at http://www.examiner.com/article/2016-prcc-film-expo-delights-attendees-with-myriad-of-subjects

Free video available for fans of Mississippi's Frank Ladner

Fans of Mississippi filmmaker Frank Ladner have a surprise treat waiting for them in his release of a short subject on YouTube. His new film, “Almost Mine,” offers a change from his previous Southern mock-umentaries with a tightly scripted plot and cast of two. The more cinematic approach Ladner takes with this new project shows another aspect of the young man’s talent.

Jessy Hughes and Matthew McCoy play a couple living in a post-apocalyptic world in Colorado, struggling to make a living as gemstone miners. Although their lives are difficult, they share a special bond.

Shot entirely on location in Poplarville, the film follows the appealing couple through their routine as they search for and process the lapis lazuli they sell to support themselves in a gritty, hard knocks world. The two stars bring a warm humanity to what could have been a situation beyond the understanding of viewers. Demonstrating a deft comedic touch with a romance in the ruins of civilization, the pair remain beautiful under their tattered exteriors.

As an independent filmmaker, Ladner understands the need for new approaches and creative content. His films bring both, laced with wit and a family-friendly attitude. Viewers of all ages can enjoy his work from the start and appreciate new layers in it with each additional viewing.

Trailers for Ladner’s earlier films, “Hickory Never Bleeds” and “Max Peril,” appeared on YouTube, but “Almost Mine” runs in its entirety, a free gift for viewers to cherish. The award winning filmmaker has maintained his quirky, offbeat perspective for the short subject, offering a fresh look at relationships and survival. The little film carries the potential to introduce a whole new audience to his earlier works. While “Hickory Never Bleeds” is available for purchase on DVD, “Max Peril” is still screening at film festivals across the country and will be available for purchase sometime in 2016.

Look for “Almost Mine” and the trailers to Ladner’s full-length works at YouTube. Visit his website for additional short subjects which showcase the film making talents of Poplarville’s Frank Ladner.

Originally appeared 12/26/2015 at http://www.examiner.com/article/free-video-available-for-fans-of-mississippi-s-frank-ladner