Why is Film Director John Carpenter Returning Home? [Videos]

Award-winning producer, director, writer and composer John Carpenter will be among the guest speakers for the 2012 Western Kentucky Film Festival May 2-4. Carpenter was born in Carthage, NY, but his family mowed to Bowling Green in 1953. He attended Western Kentucky University and returns to the school next month.

Carpenter, whose films include “Halloween,” “The Fog,” “Escape from New York,” “The Thing,” and “Vampires,” will work with WKU film and broadcasting students on a short film production and will participate in a question-and-answer session.

During “An Evening with John Carpenter” on May 3, he will screen clips of his work and will discuss his career, his start in the film industry and his advice for aspiring young filmmakers. Carpenter was inducted into WKU’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1999.

Carpenter’s presentation is tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium.

For 18 years, the Western Kentucky Film Festival has been a showcase of the best in regional and national film and video production. Student and independent filmmakers have seen their works screened at the festival, which was created in 1995 by WKU professor Cory Lash. 

In addition to Carpenter’s visit, this year’s film festival will include screenings and awards presentations. All events will occur in Mass Media and Technology Hall Auditorium. Here are the schedule highlights:

Wednesday, May 2

12:30 p.m.: High School Showcase and Awards Ceremony. A program of the top regional high school film and video will precede the awards ceremony, recognizing the best entries in nine categories.

5 p.m.: Red One Demonstration. Outrider Entertainment, a team of film and video professionals (and WKU alumni), will give festival-goers an inside look at the Red One camera system, tracing the production pipeline from principle photography through post-production workflow.

7:30 p.m.: Screenings of “The Lot,” an independent short film by Outrider, followed by a collection of documentaries and music by Emmy-nominated producer/director Zac Adams. Both screenings will be followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Thursday, May 3

7:30 p.m. (tentative): An Evening with John Carpenter

Friday, May 4

5 p.m.: WKU Film Showcase and Awards Ceremony. An extended program of student short films in a variety of categories as well as the finalists and award-winners in the festival’s competition categories. The awards ceremony will begin after the screenings. Award categories include: Best Picture, Director, Cinematography, Production Design, Wardrobe/Makeup, Editor, Sound Design, Score, Visual Effects, Screenplay, Actor/Actress, Supporting Actor/Actress, Ensemble Cast, Music Video, Animation, and Documentary (Short- and Long-Form).

Click here for more about the festival. And, to see many of John's clips and interviews check 'em out at You Tube.