EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff The cast of
"Tightshorts" is currently working on producing their first
episode, which debuts April 19 at 11 p.m., on UCLAtv channel
29.
By Mary Dang
Daily Bruin Contributor
Sparsely decorated with a sofa, a fan, two cameras, two klieg
lights, two lamps and a sound machine lined with turn dials and
wires, all seven staff members of UCLAtv’s new show,
“Tightshorts,” fit inside a space no bigger than a dorm
room.
That will be the shooting place for “Tightshorts”
premiering later on this week.
“This is going to be like “˜The View’ but with
f-words,” jokingly described “Tightshorts”
co-producer Price Peterson, a third-year English student.
“Tightshorts” will showcase a number of
“movies” each week with the definition of
“movies” stretched to mean anything from anime to just
about anyone with a camera. All film submissions, made through the
Daily Bruin office, will be privately screened and recommended by
each staff member separately. After reviewing all the choices, the
staff will air these tiny movies along with additional commentary
feedback.
“This is not snob TV” Peterson said. “I
don’t want to come off like we’re going to be mean to
them but it’ll be constructive criticism. The least we can do
is have a forum in which to show them.”
Peterson, who was behind the show’s idea, is also
producing for the “Mike and Ben Show.” However, he does
not want viewers to think that “Tightshorts” is somehow
a spin-off from Mike and Ben.
“They share the same anarchic spirit, with
(“˜Tightshorts’) more centered on films,” Peterson
said. “There’s never been a show like this. (The
audience) should just expect a weekly showcase made by their peers.
It’s also a talk show that talks about the films but also
about the whole filmmaking process and industry.”
Roberta Brodsky, a fourth-year Russian and communication studies
student, and also the other “Tightshorts” co-producer,
was also quick to point out their inherent differences.
“”˜Mike and Ben’ is sort of an improv sketch
comedy show. It’s by the creative people that make it,”
Brodsky said. “Our show is by people that don’t really
work for us.”
Of the people that do work for Brodsky and Peterson, the
“Tightshort’s” staff range in background all
across the entertainment industry ““ from acting, to
filmmaking, to TV news anchoring.
Through the staff’s job/internship connections, they will
also invite directors and other special guests (i.e. actors,
publicity agents) to talk about their films or comment on others
while revealing some interesting aspects about the film/TV
industry.
“If we can provide a service for other filmmakers,
it’s just a beautiful thing, to help out others that were
like us a few years ago,” Peterson said. “We want to be
a resource for people who want to be in the industry.”
Made by the public for the public who enjoy films, the whole
atmosphere of “Tightshorts'” film style will feel
like a home movie. With one stationary camera and one handheld
camcorder, “Tightshorts” aims to capture the true
spirit of independent films in order to create a fresh and exciting
feeling about the show.
“If you just have a stationary camera, it’s just too
typical,” Brodsky said. “This gives the viewer a
diverse picture. We want it to feel live and as casual as it can
be. We want it to have a live feel so if someone stutters we keep
that in, which makes things more interesting.”
This week the staff will be dedicated to watching and picking
videos until Friday, when the show will be taped live, edited, and
aired that same night. “Tightshorts” will air this same
Friday on a continuous loop from 11 p.m. until Saturday morning, to
catch late-night dorm residents, and hopefully get the attention of
some film buffs.
“The people who it’s aimed toward are people who
enjoy making films and who want to see what their peers are
doing,” Peterson said. “But in general, it’s also
for people who want to watch films; this is a real broad
audience.”
Though “Tightshorts'” main interest is to gain
a cult following among film fanatics, the staff also wants to build
more interest among regular teenagers to become amateur
film-makers.
“Just to show the audience films from the guy next door,
maybe it’ll inspire someone to go out and make their own
films,” Peterson said.
“Tightshorts” airs this Friday night at 11 p.m., on
the UCLAtv channel 29.
For information on submitting a film, e-mail
[email protected].