Students to Premiere "Mockumentary" Film at Cazenovia College
Area student one of film production class that created "Best in Shove"
Students and faculty members of two theatre production classes at Cazenovia College will present the red-carpet premiere of their film "Best in Shove," on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Catherine Cummings Theatre at Cazenovia College, on Lincklaen Street in Cazenovia. The premiere is free and open to the public.
The film is one of a genre dubbed "mockumentary," and was inspired by films of Christopher Guest such as "The Mighty Wind," "Waiting for Guffman," and "Best in Show." Mockumentaries are spoof documentary films, usually comedic parodies or satires of the common documentary genre.
"Best in Shove," a 93-minute film made during the summer semester, concerns life among theatre students competing for a prestigious study-abroad opportunity. Shove Hall, where parts of the film were made, is a residence hall on the Cazenovia College campus. The film's dialogue was improvised during the rehearsal and filming process. The plot revolves around the students' attempt to put on a production of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible."
The theatre production faculty members assisted the students with production of the film, and each had a role as well. Roxy Spano, visiting assistant professor of English, plays the students' theater professor, Helen Calico. DM Shepard, adjunct instructor of English, plays the president of the college. Spano said, "It's a great movie and I'm very proud of the students for their dedication to the project."
The film's concept, plot and characters were developed by Kate Sculley and Jillian Lifson. Sculley, of New Milford, Conn. , is a junior studio art-photography major who plays the cynical, world-weary Rosaline. Lifson, of Oneida, N.Y. , a junior majoring in studio art – photography, was responsible for camera work and editing. In the film she plays Milt Mitchell, an independent filmmaker who is making a documentary about college theater students competing for a prestigious scholarship.
Other student cast members are Caitlin Friedberg, of East Syracuse, N.Y. , a senior majoring in English, who plays the alcoholic student director, Robyn Carmychael; Gracie Jarvis, of Cazenovia , a junior majoring in English, plays the rich, glitter-girl Jacqueline; Ben Schreibman, of Cazenovia, a continuing education student, plays Jacqueline's acting coach Chase; Mike Moolenschot, of Oneida , a junior majoring in interior design , plays the flamboyant, leg-warmer-wearing Alex.; Christina Braymiller, of North Collins, N.Y. , a senior majoring in inclusive elementary education, plays Penelope, the would-be actor who faints every time she gets up on stage.
Shelleque Bailey-Halls, of Staten Island, N.Y. , a junior majoring in interior design, plays Shelleque, a foreign exchange student who is also Professor Calico's intern; Mary Hammond, of Rensselaer Falls, N.Y. , a freshman majoring in business management, plays the serious, talented student named Nancy Bowler; and Ned Breznai, of Rocky River, Ohio , a junior majoring in visual communications, plays the "jock" named Mark.