"Lake Effect" Trailer

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Free Speech Zone

Free Speech Zone from Brian Crandall on Vimeo.

At Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids (Michigan), there are certain area designated as "Free Speech Zones." This always struck me as odd. Does that mean that everywhere else is a restricted speech zone? It figures that such a thing would exist at a University in Western Michigan, the bible belt of the midwest. The attitudes of the students are probably on average more conservative here than other Universities.

During the Fall semester of 2009, a religious fundamentalist group gathered in "The Free Speech Zone." They preached loudly many countercultural ideas. Some of their most offensive speeches were related to homosexuality. The preachers claimed that most students were guilty of homosexuality, premarital sex, contraception, alcoholism, etc and as a consequence were headed straight into hell.

What fascinated me about this event was not the way the fundamentalists acted. I had already seen that before. The way in which the student body reacted to them was the most interesting thing about that day.

Many of the students were already devout Christians who felt offended that these preachers were misrepresenting their religion and being judgmental of others. Others were offended by the homophobic viewpoints of the fundamentalists. Students shouted: "You are being ignorant etc." Ultimately, it is my opinion that the students who reacted and argued with these individuals were actually doing more to empower the group than to prove them wrong. The fact that they were willing to argue with these preachers acknowledged that they were contesting with people worthy of discussion--therefore legitimizing their viewpoints. Those students who thought they were doing good by confronting the preachers actually hurt their case and made me embarrassed to be a Grand Valley Student.

The reaction from the student body attests to the fact that not much goes on around here which is why I am so glad that I am graduating after this semester.

GR Screening Date and Location Confirmed

I can finally relax. The First Test Screening date has been confirmed.

On May 28th at 7:30 PM, we will showcase "The American Boyfriend" and "Lake Effect" for the first time. Admission is free, but we will be accepting donations.

Location: Loosemore Auditorium, Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University. Grand Rapids, MI

Here is the mapquest for Pew Campus:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?name=Grand+Valley+State+University&city=Grand+Rapids&state=MI&address=401+Fulton+St+W+%23+C&zipcode=49504&country=US&latitude=42.963382&longitude=-85.679367&geocode=ADDRESS&id=6623404

VITA B

One day while I was in Church, the laymen and women kept on handing out bottles of Vita Si, a popular Korean energy drink. By the end of the day Alex and I consumed about 20 bottles of them. Consequentially, we were bouncing off walls for the rest of the day.

Vita B from Brian Crandall on Vimeo.

Quiet Desperation

This is the second video project I ever worked on--if you can even call it that...

Despite the fact that the picture quality is poor, I still like it. I don't care what you think!

Hopefully, you'll enjoy.

Thanks,

Brian

Quiet Desperation from Brian Crandall on Vimeo.

Test Screening Flyer

SCREENING DATE CONFIRMED

On June 6 (7:00 PM) in the Vistatech building at Schoolcraft Community College, "The American Boyfriend" and "Lake Effect" will be showcased.

When you arrive at the building look for the presentation room in the vistatech building. We will be accepting donations.

Here is the map:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?name=Schoolcraft+College&city=Livonia&state=MI&address=18600+Haggerty+Rd&zipcode=48152&country=US&latitude=42.421025&longitude=-83.432873&geocode=ADDRESS&id=6347337

The Grand Rapids screening date and place is still TBA...