What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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8 What's up! March 5-11, 2023 Lights! Camera! Arkansas! showcase focuses on regional filmmakers MONICA HOOPER NWA Democrat-Gazette T he link that binds together an evening of stories about parallel dimensions, reunited lovers, haunted games, a day in the life of a nursing home resident and a terrifying flight is that they are the work of Arkansas makers. Seven films that were created in the natural state and curated by Fayetteville Film Fest will screen during the Arkansas Filmmakers' Showcase March 11 at the Walton Arts Center. Marc Crandall of Fayetteville was inspired by his daughter to start making his own movies, and now one will screen during the Saturday night showcase. "I got interested in filmmaking watching my daughter as she went to film school. I volunteered on several film sets and really enjoyed the filmmaking process," Crandall explains. "I held many different positions on the set and finally graduated to writing and directing 'Banana Triangle Six.' "It is based on a short story by best-selling author Louis Bayard and includes both lighthearted moments and pretty intense drama," Crandall says. Northwest Arkansas, his home since 1994, has a supportive filmmaking community, he says. "Arkansas influences my work on several levels. Physically the state provides a wide array of beautiful locations to fill almost any script requirement. Professionally, the filmmaking community has grown to the point where nearly every technical/creative position can be filled from our local pool of talent," Crandall says. Chuck Mere of Fayetteville echoes that sentiment. "It's where I first dipped my toes into the world of video production, thanks to the local cable access scene. I've brought all sorts of creative projects to life here, from commercials to feature films. And what's more, the unique character and charm of this place have a way of sneaking into everything I create, adding a little extra magic to my work." His film "Lemniscate" screens on Saturday evening. Molly Wheat of searcy directs "pomegranate," the story of two exes, annie and henry who take a moment to find out where each other is now. (courtesy photo) Molly Wheat Feature