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
"The film was salvageable if they could mitigate somehow (the parts where certain peoples are) described as cultish," Schuster said.
One scene in the video had a group of Austrian international students mocking the Public Safety officers and Americans in general at a table in Marletto's Marketplace.
However, Gartner contended that editing the video was impossible, since doing so would call for a fundamental change in the basic plot structure - the Austrian antagonist.
"I don't see it as being an option at all, considering the plot revolves around an Austrian villain," Gartner said. "There's no way we can edit around that."
There was some disagreement among members of the production class as to whether or not the School of Communications had editorial control. Some, such as senior film production major Steve Clemmons, said the school should not have any editorial control of student work. Clemmons was a supporting scriptwriter for the Webbies.
Those who wouldn't mind if the school had editorial control, such as Gartner, said Ford or the dean should have requested to review copies of the script so changes could be made in pre-production.
Ford said scripts were not requested because he felt there was a clear understanding as to what would be appropriate for the audience.
"Yes, it (asking for editing) is late," Ford said. "I understand that … it is difficult to make changes and I can sympathize."
In addition, members of the production class felt the initial parameters they were given at the very beginning of the semester, such as the explanation of an expanded Webbies, were vague.
"No one said what can and can't be in the Webbies," Clemmons said.
However, Ford said he and Carpenter made their expectations of both classes clear in January.
"I can remember walking around in class and making sure everyone understood (what we expected)," Ford said.
Gartner disagreed, and said he was unaware the idea of bringing international students to the Webbies had changed from being theoretical to concrete until the week of the faculty screening. He said Ford and Carpenter only put forth the idea as a possibility and not as a reality in January.
One scene in the video had a group of Austrian international students mocking the Public Safety officers and Americans in general at a table in Marletto's Marketplace.
However, Gartner contended that editing the video was impossible, since doing so would call for a fundamental change in the basic plot structure - the Austrian antagonist.
"I don't see it as being an option at all, considering the plot revolves around an Austrian villain," Gartner said. "There's no way we can edit around that."
There was some disagreement among members of the production class as to whether or not the School of Communications had editorial control. Some, such as senior film production major Steve Clemmons, said the school should not have any editorial control of student work. Clemmons was a supporting scriptwriter for the Webbies.
Those who wouldn't mind if the school had editorial control, such as Gartner, said Ford or the dean should have requested to review copies of the script so changes could be made in pre-production.
Ford said scripts were not requested because he felt there was a clear understanding as to what would be appropriate for the audience.
"Yes, it (asking for editing) is late," Ford said. "I understand that … it is difficult to make changes and I can sympathize."
In addition, members of the production class felt the initial parameters they were given at the very beginning of the semester, such as the explanation of an expanded Webbies, were vague.
"No one said what can and can't be in the Webbies," Clemmons said.
However, Ford said he and Carpenter made their expectations of both classes clear in January.
"I can remember walking around in class and making sure everyone understood (what we expected)," Ford said.
Gartner disagreed, and said he was unaware the idea of bringing international students to the Webbies had changed from being theoretical to concrete until the week of the faculty screening. He said Ford and Carpenter only put forth the idea as a possibility and not as a reality in January.
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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