The student cast and crew of "Trailerpark" film the burning of a trailer on Feb. 14, 2008.
Photo by Rachel O'Hara

By Erin Roberts, roberte1@ohio.edu

Published Tuesday, February 17, 2009

ATHENS, Ohio (Feb. 17, 2009)—The production of “Trailerpark,” a feature-length film being produced by more than 70 students in the School of Media Arts and Studies, got a boost in the form of $20,000 in Student Activities Commission (SAC) funding earmarked for student projects supporting the goals of Vision Ohio.

“It was a really unique opportunity for students to get involved in such a project,” said Chauncey Jackson, SAC commissioner and chair of the Vision Ohio program committee. “We were really impressed with the proposal. ‘Trailerpark’ really demonstrates collaboration and is a project that truly engages the students. It incorporates the five C’s of Ohio University:  character, civility, commitment, community and citizenship.”

Jackson said that while “Trailerpark” was not the top beneficiary of the funding, that it was one of only six projects chosen and that it was notable in that it allows students to actively participate and contribute, rather than take passive roles.

Associate Professor Frederick Lewis says the news comes at a wonderful time for students, who began filming Jan. 24 and have a busy couple of months ahead of them.

“The more-than-70 students involved with ‘Trailerpark’ are very grateful for this award from SAC,” Lewis said. “We started planning this project in November of 2007, before the current recession hit. Given the dismal economic climate, our fundraising efforts have not been quite as successful as we had hoped.”

Lewis says special recognition should go to Media Arts and Studies junior Conor Hogan, the film’s coordinating producer, who spent hours working on the funding proposal.

“I read about Vision Ohio giving SAC $100,000 in The Post in September,” Hogan said. “I went to Frederick and said ‘I’ve got to find out more about this.’ The announcement of funding kept getting pushed back, but, ultimately, our application impressed the committee and they selected our film for funding.”

Hogan said the months of waiting made the news “Trailerpark” had been chosen for funding even sweeter.

“It’s unreal, honestly,” he said, adding he doesn’t think it would have been possible without the help of communication graduate student Erin Dame, who edited the group’s proposal. “Erin is a great writer, and she understands the grant process and helped me to address issues that made our application so much more effective. The months of writing this grant have all been worth it.”

The film’s budget was originally estimated at $45,000. While this funding, together with the $29,000 the students already raised, surpasses that amount, Hogan believes the cost of the film will rise as production continues.

“As we complete the shooting and editing of the film, it’s likely that more expenses will come up,” he said. “At this point, we’re focusing on production so that we can meet our June deadline with the final product. “

One of the film’s most essential scenes was captured last weekend when the students, with approval from the state Environmental Protection Agency and cooperation from the York Township Volunteer Fire Department and the fire-safety program at Hocking College, burnt a trailer and filmed with four cameras, two for main shots and two for close-ups and cutaways.

“Just watching the trailer light up and seeing our cast and crew move around it so perfectly to get the shots we needed was incredible,” Hogan said. “It was a symphony.”

Several of the key players from “Trailerpark” will appear on “Daytime Columbus with Gail Hogan” to promote the film on Feb. 25. Production is expected to wrap up mid-April. A tentative screening of the film, which will be open to the public, is planned for early June.

For information about how to donate to the project, visit www.trailerparkmovie.com.

Related stories:  http://www.ohio.edu/outlook/08-09/February/351.cfm