Faculty squelch Webbies film
School of Communications bungles showing of student-produced film for annual awards show
By: Lanz Christian Banes
Issue date: 3/29/07 Section: News
Students in the production class felt the movie could not be edited without destroying the entire product, prompting them to not show "Lethal Webbies" at the awards ceremony.
"I use a harsh word like 'censorship' because I feel what they're doing is harsh," said sophomore Sean Gartner, a film production major and head scriptwriter for "Lethal Webbies."
Gary Ford, a visiting professor of communications and journalism, describes the relationship between the School of Communications and both the Webbies production class and the separate Webbies public relations class as a client-based relationship. In this case, the School of Communications is the client, and it is not censorship when the client wants changes made to a product.
The production class is responsible for creating the video for the awards ceremony, as well as the video presentations of student work. The public relations class is responsible for organizing the rest of the show, including finding a host, finding presenters and general advertising. Several members of both classes were present at the rough-cut screening.
"(Carpenter and) I have editorial control," Ford said.
Ford worked closely with Carpenter and both Webbies classes and was among those who screened the video.
Carpenter was unable to attend the March 23 screening due to a medical situation, Ford said. She is on vacation until April 2 and could not be reached for comment.
As such, Ford was the representative for the client at the screening, Harrison said.
"Last summer, we decided to expand the scope of the Webbies," Ford said, describing how some felt the ceremony was dominated by the film and video students, ignoring the lesser seen parts of the School of the Communications, such as public relations and journalism.
One of the major ideas of broadening the Webbies was including international students - hence the objections of the faculty.
Joe Schuster, the communications and journalism chairman and part of the screening faculty, suggested to the students that "Lethal Webbies" be edited in such a way that the visiting Austrians would not become self-conscious.
"I use a harsh word like 'censorship' because I feel what they're doing is harsh," said sophomore Sean Gartner, a film production major and head scriptwriter for "Lethal Webbies."
Gary Ford, a visiting professor of communications and journalism, describes the relationship between the School of Communications and both the Webbies production class and the separate Webbies public relations class as a client-based relationship. In this case, the School of Communications is the client, and it is not censorship when the client wants changes made to a product.
The production class is responsible for creating the video for the awards ceremony, as well as the video presentations of student work. The public relations class is responsible for organizing the rest of the show, including finding a host, finding presenters and general advertising. Several members of both classes were present at the rough-cut screening.
"(Carpenter and) I have editorial control," Ford said.
Ford worked closely with Carpenter and both Webbies classes and was among those who screened the video.
Carpenter was unable to attend the March 23 screening due to a medical situation, Ford said. She is on vacation until April 2 and could not be reached for comment.
As such, Ford was the representative for the client at the screening, Harrison said.
"Last summer, we decided to expand the scope of the Webbies," Ford said, describing how some felt the ceremony was dominated by the film and video students, ignoring the lesser seen parts of the School of the Communications, such as public relations and journalism.
One of the major ideas of broadening the Webbies was including international students - hence the objections of the faculty.
Joe Schuster, the communications and journalism chairman and part of the screening faculty, suggested to the students that "Lethal Webbies" be edited in such a way that the visiting Austrians would not become self-conscious.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sarah Truckey
posted 3/28/07 @ 7:12 PM EST
Have faculty viewed the show before the ceremony in years past? Rumours are what prompted them to have a look see? Remember in the Webbies last year when the group overcame the Women's Studies Group and the Conservatory students? That was slightly offensive, moreso than having an Austrin person be a villain. (Continued…)
Brian Kennelly
Brian Kennelly
posted 3/29/07 @ 12:39 AM EST
Suggestion: Contact the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (http://www.thefire.org/) for guidance.
Recommended reading in the meantime: FIRE's guides (http://www. (Continued…)
Matt Clark
posted 3/30/07 @ 9:38 AM EST
As a grad of the Communications program, I must say I'm disappointed by this situation (assuming this article presents it accurately). Webster was always very free with the students, and I never felt any pressure to conform any class projects to any predetermined standards. (Continued…)
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