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Show Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012 Page 7 AggieLife Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.com Alumnus produces film locally BY CALE PATTERSON features senior writer For years, Erik Bateman saw failure as a bad thing. After nearly three years of work producing the feature-length film "Equilibrium," the USU alumnus has come to realize success isn't necessarily found on the red carpet, but in achieving difficult things. Bateman's 76 - minute movie was filmed entirely in Cache Valley and surrounding areas, starring local actors associated with the Caine Lyric Theater, Ellen Eccles Theater and USU. "It is a romantic comedy and murder mystery that is loaded with metaphors as a commentary on contemporary society," Bateman said. It's not rated but I would give it a self-rating of PG -10, due to subject matter and a scene of brief violence." The cast and crew consisted of less than 15 people, the majority of whom attended USU, and even included several USU faculty members such as visiting assistant professor Richie Call, associate professor of scenic design Dennis Hassan. "Most of us involved either went to teach at or work for USU," said Bateman. Bateman said due to the small crew, many of the cast had to work together to produced complicated scenes involving elements such as artificial wind and rainfall. "Every member of the cast at some point helped with the production in one way or another," he said. The majority of the filming took approximately three months, shooting from June ERIK BATEMAN, A USU ALUMNUS, produced a film titled 'Equilibrium,' in Cache Valley and surrounding areas. SAMANTHA BEHL photo through August of 2010, though some scenes had to be redone as late as October. "In the beginning, I thought it was going to take maybe three weeks to shoot this whole thing," Bateman said. "Man, did I live and learn." Some of the difficulties Bateman experienced included dealing with actors' involvement in other productions as well as having to shoot the majority of the film in the summer while needing a nighttime setting for the film. "They would get off at eight o'clock at night, and then they'd have to be at my shoot at nine because that's the only time they could be there," he said. "So we could only shoot from about nine o'clock at night until about one o'clock in the morning." Shooting the film with a single camera, a Sony EX1, Bateman said he had continuity issues from having to repeatedly shoot the same scenes from different angles. "If your hand is here in one shot, it has to be in the same place in the next shot," he said. I told them in the beginning, `You have to be mindful of where you are in each shot — be consistent with it, because when I go to edit, if it's not consistent we're going to have to shoot it again. All in all I think the continuity turned out well." Bateman said the camera he used was developed by Sony and George Lucas for the University of Southern California with capabilities well-suited to students and independent filmmakers, but it is people make the movie rather than the camera. "Cameras are just tools," he said. "People make the movie and they use tools to get there. You can make a really great movie with a crappy camera. If I were to do it again, I would probably do exactly the same thing, except have another one to shoot with." The monetary commitment fell primarily upon Bateman, though he had no set budget for the production. "This is a credit card movie," he said. "If I needed something, I bought it. We didn't have a specific amount of money. It was 'We're going to buy what we need,' and that's what we did. So all the money that spent was spent on production equipment, camera, microphones — all that *See FILM, Page 8 Trimming down the holiday pounds BY HAILEE HOUSLEY staff writer Thanksgiving feasts often include overindulging, which in the moment can be temporarily gratifying. But many aren't as enthused about the turkey once it's digesting. "The reason why people struggle with staying in shape during the holidays is because there are too many gatherings focused around food," said Tammy Funk, a junior majoring in family, consumer and human development. "Family, church, social gatherings always center around food. There are more of these during the holidays — too much food, too much temptation." Extra pounds from the holidays can be hard on self esteem. Some students feel this is counteracted by diet and exercise. "We spend the holiday sitting around eating," said undeclared freshman Karlee Hood. "After all of that, you can't help but sometimes feel bad about yourself. I think people diet after Thanksgiving to feel better about themselves." Exercising and eating healthy can be an enjoyable part of the holiday for people trying to stay in shape. "I have never been on a certain diet, but I do like working out," said Hood. "Normally after Thanksgiving I spend a couple of weeks trying to run as much as I can. It always feels good to workout a little." Some families incorporate exercise into their holiday traditions for enjoyment and the effect it has of turning traditions into a healthy atmosphere less centered around food. "My family gets together and we play a big football game," said Austin Rice, a freshman majoring in business. "Then we eat, then watch football and then we eat pie and then after we rest and just talk." Even when exercise is incorporated into a tradition, some can still feel not on top of their game when the festivi- ties have ended. "I work out Monday through Saturday, but during Thanksgiving break I do indeed take a break," said Rice. "So I feel lazy and kind of out of the swing of things. So when I start working out Monday again, it will be hard. So you could say i get a little out of shape." Some prefer working out over the holidays to cutting calories. "Working out religiously would help people more than cutting calories," Funk said. "Have fun and let loose a little over the holidays. I emphasize a little. Don't go overboard and become a glutton. Just keep the exercising up. Some people feel like specific diets are an efficient way to get rid of the extra holiday poundage. "My diet consists of just juice," said Randy Wilson, a former USU student. "I make it using my juicer. I have typically one fruit and three veggies. I take my juice three times a day. I am doing this as long as I can, with a goal for a month. I started this diet the saturday after Thanksgiving." Having a mixture of healthy diet and exercise can be a good balance for achieving a healthy body. "I prefer a mixture of the two," Wilson said. "Working out and a good diet can be a great mix for a perfect body. I chose this diet because it will help me get my BFW — body for wife." For some, having a healthy diet and exercising during the season of treat temptation is not too difficult because they have a natural appreciation for fruits and vegetables. "I just love fruits and vegetables," Hood said. "It's kind of my weakness. I just stay away from all of the fast food and try to get a workout in every once in awhile." Restaurants and other food sources recognize that people want fun treats during the holidays and are looking for lighter options. Some restaurants have included lower calorie items to POST-HOLIDAY POUNDS encourage many to diet and exercise more. MICKELLE YEATES photo illustration their menus. Diets are often started and broken throughout the holiday season, but on again, off again dieting during the holidays is not always disheartening. Some plan on the diets and exercise to continue after the festivities have ended. "I diet after thanksgiving all of the time," Funk said. "It only lasts until the goodies start getting dropped off for Christmas, but there are always New Year's resolutions and cleanses to look forward too." – haileehousley@gmail.corn |