WEST VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL TO SCREEN WORKS FROM WINFIELD NATIVE

Publication: THE PUNAM STANDARD
Published: 11/11/2008
Page: --
Headline: WEST VIRGINIA FILM FESTIVAL TO SCREEN WORKS FROM WINFIELD NATIVE
Byline: CAROLYN HARMON

WINFIELD - Award-winning filmmaker Sam Holdren, a West Virginia native and Winfield High School graduate, will screen three short works as part of the upcoming West Virginia International Film Festival Nov. 13.

The three films: "Audition," "Play," and the West Virginia debut of "The Paradigm Shift," have screened at film festivals around the country.

While Holdren has been heavily involved with and is proud of these pieces, he takes a very realistic approach to the movie business.

"I will be the first to say, these aren't movies that have been embraced by the cultures at large," Holdren said. "These are short films that have had the good fortune to make little dots across the country."

The dots Holdren refers to are screenings, a process he describes as very much like Vaudeville, traveling around and showing his films.

Each time one of his films gets an acceptance somewhere to screen is validation not just to him, but to the entire film's cast and crew, in an industry that is full of rejection.

"We didn't just go through the process as an exercise, we want to show people what we did,' Holdren said.

In Kindergarten, Holdren became aware of his desire to do something in the creative arts.

He enjoyed presenting for an audience, which for a kid comes in many forms, such as the class clown role he played in the third grade.

Being a shy person, Holdren found clowning as a way to reach across and tear down walls.

"And that's addicting," he said. "When I say something funny and get a laugh or response, that interaction has always intrigued me and I hunger for it."

Holdren claims he is no actor but has auditioned for and received parts which led to other opportunities.

He finds it important for aspiring writers, producers, and directors, to step into the actor's shoes in order to feel what they are experiencing during the filmmaking process.

While Holdren's feelings compel his passion for this business, he has learned that there comes a time to put those aside for the good of the project.

"People who create get really attached to their 'children," Holdren said. "You love them but all throughout the process you have to keep reminding yourself that in order for them to grow you have to let them go."

Although Holdren has met with some early success, he proceeds with two feet on the ground and approaches encouragement and praise the same way. Many have asked him if he is really going to make it.

"I always ask myself, 'what is making it - what does that mean," he said. "I can screw it all up just like that, so making it for me means being able to, with passion and patience, fulfill my livelihood and get paid to do it."

After graduating from Winfield High School, Holdren earned two degrees from West Virginia State University.

The West Virginia International Film Festival began Nov. 7 and will run through Nov. 16. Holdren's movies will be screened Nov. 13. The screenings take place at the Capitol Center Theatre, 123 Summers Street, Charleston.

For more information contact the Capitol Center Theatre at 304-342-1700 or log onto www.wviff.org for the schedule.