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• Illini Film and Video lets students direct and act

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Most students are probably familiar with the show America’s Funniest Home Videos. Who can forget the countless videos showing children falling off playground equipment and participating in other acts of self-inflicted harm that the audience felt were absolutely hilarious? If you want to graduate from the slapstick home videos and move on to something that features an actual plot, professional filming and acting, and is student run, Illini Film and Video can offer you just that.

Illini Film and Video (IFV) is a Registered Student Organization here on campus that, well, makes films and videos. A self-run RSO that’s been going strong for nine years, IFV gives students the chance to participate in all aspects of the film-making process.

“It’s a way for filmmakers, producers, writers and actors to network,” said Anne Shivers, a senior in LAS and the vice president of IFV. Film topics are open to student ideas and suggestions. There is no set “model” or prototype that students have to follow. “People can do whatever they want,” said Joey Burgess, a fifth-year senior in Engineering and president of the group.

Students in the group also get the chance to participate in community events such as the upcoming Ebertfest. IFV records the introduction for the movie that is featured at the festival as well as the Q&A and panel discussion that follow. The events are filmed with a live three-camera shoot.

“It’s a good opportunity to experience live television,” Burgess said. “It’s not an experience that you can get easily around here.”

IFV has an upcoming event that students can participate in. Their Spring Film Festival gives students the opportunity to make and view short films. “It’s impressive to see what students can come up with,” Shivers said.

The Festival will be held May 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Canopy Club. The event is free and will feature short films produced by both by IFV and other students. Anyone can submit a film, and the deadline is April 29. More information can be found on IFV’s Web site, www.illinifilmandvideo.com.

IFV has meetings every Monday at 6 p.m. in room 104 of the English Building, so if you’ve always aspired to be a Hollywood director or the star of a YouTube video, check them out.