Film Follies venture into Schwab

By TODD RITTER
Collegian Arts Writer

It happens every spring. Love? Usually. Professional baseball? Not very likely. Film Follies? Of course.

The annual Film Follies will take place at 8 p.m. tomorrow in Schwab Auditorium. The curious may ask, "What are Film Follies?"

"Film Follies is a showing of student slide shows and films from the fall," explained Lanny Sommese, professor of art and the man who began it all in 1970.

Film Follies is also one of the lesser known Penn State traditions, although it is an event that is anticipated all year long by some.

It begins in the fall, with the course Art 470, known as Time and Sequence. During the course of the Fall Semester 1994, seniors majoring in graphic design work on short visual projects that range from films to slides to animation.

"We pick the best from the fall's assignments," said Sommese, who teaches the class.

It is known from the beginning that the work done during the fall will culminate in a special screening in the spring.

"All of the seniors have a piece in the show," said Shelley Diefenbach (senior-graphic design), one of seven students coordinating the event.

Diefenbach explained that the show is not the main focus of the course, but just an amusing highlight.

"Basically it's for entertainment," she said. "It's something we enjoy doing."

Others think of it as a chance to display the techniques they have learned throughout their college careers.

"It's really important to the seniors," said Christy Lanske (senior-graphic design), who is in charge of advertising the Follies. "It shows our parents all the hard work we've done."

In addition to being a showcase of graphic design skill, Film Follies also serves as an unofficial reunion for alumni who are working as graphic designers in the real world.

This year the event actually does coincide with an official visual arts reunion, a fact that should bring a larger turnout than in past years. So large, in fact, that the venue has changed from the usual Keller Conference Center to the larger Schwab Auditorium.

"We're expecting a few hundred more than usual," Diefenbach explained.