Patrick Muhlberger on the set of Trailerpark: Photo by Rachel O'Hara
Inspiration comes from many places in life, often times from a more elder statesman. In this case however, inspiration comes in the form of a group of Ohio University Media Arts students who proved that investing in education and providing young people with an avenue to explore their creativity is simply something a price tag cannot be put on. With the new film they have produced called Trailerpark, which will be screening at The 34th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival this weekend, the idea that young people can do anything they put their minds to becomes strikingly evident. Having a chance to do a phone interview recently with the film’s co-directors, Jonny Look and Patrick Muhlberger, it is clear that this country would improve most likely overnight if more dollars were invested in education and the arts instead of buying another bomb that will never be used.
Part of their advanced Media Arts class at Ohio University, Trailerpark was produced by approximately 70 students in the program and was headed up by co-directors Look and Muhlberger. The students in these classes would normally make four or five short films, but for this incarnation, they were told by one of their professors, Frederick Lewis, that he had access to the Russell Banks’ work Trailerpark, and that it would perhaps be something the whole department could work on together. Banks’ work was almost done years ago by HBO, but when the rights to the book reverted back to Banks’ after the project stalled, Lewis, who has a friendship with Banks’, thought this would be the perfect opportunity to get it made as the group of students assembled in the program was as high a quality as it had ever been.
Look and Muhlberger took the lead in the process, tackling writing the script with two other students, Nick Knittel and Jeff Bowers, and one really interesting thing they mentioned was that Banks did not hover or try to influence what they were doing. Instead, he truly allowed them to explore the process on their own. As the script began to take shape, the plan was for two others to join Look and Muhlberger in the directing of the film, but soon it was realized that this could possibly be a situation of too many cooks in the kitchen as it were. So Look and Muhlberger worked out a system to work together to maintain a consistent tone in the film by taking certain characters that they each would work with, as much of the action occurs with characters alone on screen. Both of these young men spoke glowingly of the other and the work that was accomplished, feeling that they are better for this experience, holding now a deeper understanding of the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
This concept of loneliness permeates the world of the film as the characters within it at the trailer park are so close to each other, yet they cannot seem to connect with each other at all despite this closeness. In a world built on the idea that things are closer than ever with the internet, social networking, and easier travel methods, Trailerpark is a compelling counterpoint to this world. This film’s artistic sensibility grows from its well developed characters and the emotions that connect them, even if they cannot see these connections. Think about your own life perhaps. How well do you know your neighbors and what they go through and must face on a daily basis? Probably not as well as you think you do.
The film was certainly an effort that is to be applauded, as this group of students took an idea and made something of it. But a good deal of the credit, according to both Look and Muhlberger, goes to their community around Ohio University because they were more than generous and helpful, providing the students with discounted fees for nearly everything they had to spend money on for the film such as securing locations, equipment, and other fees associated with making a film. This is an essential component of most independent films because having a budget of around $55,000 for a feature film is just not that much. The project was able to be realized because of this partnership with the community. This community support for the arts is essential even more so than ever before as arts programs continue to be slashed around the country with the economic system continuing to wallow in the mire.
So if you are looking to support the arts and the efforts of students pursuing their dreams, heading out to the CIFF this weekend to see Trailerpark is great way to do just that. Moreover, the idea that this is a truly Ohio project that really could not have been done anywhere else drew me in and gave me hope that independent film still has a great chance to survive this economic downturn. A great deal of credit goes to the people at The CIFF and their commitment to screening Ohio produced work every year, helping to move the industry forward here and giving it a chance at a truly bright future. Speaking of bright futures, you will certainly see more work from Look and Muhlberger in the future as they both were intelligent, passionate, and creatively talented young filmmakers who are primed for success in their future endeavors. Be sure to check out the link below for the CIFF to find out screening times and more information about the festival and other films playing.
For more info:
The 34th Annual Cleveland International Film Festival
Trailerpark website
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