By Francis Womble
“Studio A” host Rick Davis chats with Washington Post film critic Ann Hornaday during a previous season’s interview. Creative Services photo
Celebrating its fifth year, the GMU-TV-based live-to-tape “Studio A” show returns this fall with host Rick Davis, executive director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center.
“Studio A” is part of the Film and Video Studies (FAVS) program. Mason students are involved in the show’s pre-production, act as the live studio audience during the hour-long show and meet each episode’s guest at a reception following the show.
Davis answered some questions about episodes this fall.
How were this year’s guests selected?
Professor Cindy Lont, director of the FAVS program, selects the guests after wide consultation. She’s very open to suggestions, and the guest roster over the years reflects a lot of input, but she is the “curator” and head producer, so the credit goes to her for the final roster.
The guests play a variety of roles in the film industry. How can this help students gain a comprehensive understanding of film and video studies?
I think “Studio A” gives students unparalleled direct access to professionals in all areas of film and video; they not only get to hear the show, but the students in the studio get the chance to ask direct questions of the guests and also network with them after the taping.
The films in which the guests are involved span a period of many years. Given the evolvement of technology, have roles within the film industry changed over this period?
The evolution of film and video technology is a recurrent theme on “Studio A,” as it touches virtually every aspect of the business, from producing and directing to editing to sound to what kind of locations and lighting you need to make a film work. But at the heart of it, it’s still all about storytelling, and that has remained remarkably consistent for thousands of years!
“Studio A” is now in its fifth year. What do you think this says about Mason’s FAVS students?
I have really enjoyed seeing the growth in the program and the ever-increasing ambition of the students. I know that the “Studio A” guests are invariably impressed by the quality of the questions they are asked and the professionalism the students display in their interactions.
All shows run from 3 to 4 p.m. and are followed by a reception that lasts until 5 p.m. The schedule of shows is as follows:
Sept. 14: Eduardo Sanchez, director of “Blair Witch Project”
Sept. 28: Otessa Shadar, producer, director and writer of “Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden” – Top 10 Webisodes
Oct. 12: Jeffrey Cooper, founder and president of Cut Entertainment Group, an international media sales and distribution agency
Oct. 26: Thomas Kaufman, cinematographer of “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg” and “Countdown to Zero”
For more information on past shows, visit GMU-TV’s vimeo site. To join the “Studio A” audience, contact the FAVS program at favs@gmu.edu.