You don't have to major in production to create something on film. Director Melina Kolb jumped at the opportunity to submit her application to Split Pillow, a non-profit motion picture production company based in Chicago. That application placed her documentary into one of five spots in the Split Pillow's second year production of Chicago 360, titled "Chicago360 v.2."
"I majored in anthropology," Kolb said. "I've been doing a lot of anthropological work, and I'm really interested in studying modern urban culture."
Anthropology's not too far off from documentaries, according to self-taught producer Kolb. This observant learning technique has helped her to remain objective while filming and let the people on camera tell their stories without her personal bias.
"Chicago 360 v.2" is an hour-long journey through Chicago's culture through five mini-documentaries. Kolb's 10-minute documentary, "The Original Slam," takes viewers to the Uptown Poetry Slam at The Green Mill, a jazz club located at 4802 N. Broadway Ave.
After doing a poetry reading series, the Green Mill Web site said that Marc Smith approached Dave Jemilo, the owner of the Green Mill, in 1986 to start the weekly Uptown Poetry Slam.
"About a year ago, I met Marc Smith at this Poetry Slam because my friend was a slam poet," Kolb said. "This was the first night I'd seen it, and I was like, 'I should make a movie about this.' I didn't talk to him for a year, and when Split Pillow came around, I went back and talked to him again."
This casual approach worked well for Kolb, who began filming in January after reading Smith's book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry." Kolb said she attended one of the slams prior to shooting and spoke with Green Mill regulars to get a sense of direction for her piece.
Kolb shot her documentary in two days, using personal equipment in addition to the equipment provided to her by Split Pillow. Split Pillow also provided Kolb with a $360 budget. The remainder of her film was personally funded.
On the first day, she attended the slam and filmed all night long. She said she had no problems capturing Smith on film.
"He was a stage person," Kolb said. "When I was filming, nothing was different. No one really noticed the camera. Everyone who was on stage was used to the attention, so the camera didn't affect anything."
The next day of filming involved completing interviews of the stage performers.
"The problem was figuring out where to shoot," Kolb said. "The club was just so dark. It was impossible to do interviews there."
This dilemma didn't delay Kolb for long. After talking to bar regulars, she learned about a restaurant attended by the locals.
"I knew that all the people loved to hang out at this Mexican restaurant next door, Fiesta Mexicana," Kolb said. "There's a cool backdrop-all the decorations back there."
This documentary captures each poet, their humor and the mesmerized audience with a steady hand. Kolb's use of crisp editing and live sound provides viewers with front row seats to the Uptown Poetry Slam.
"It was kind of nerve wrecking, going into a scene where I was kind of familiar with but sort of the newcomer," Kolb said. "I had to go around and talk to strangers. I really had to lose all my shyness."
Kolb said that filming "The Original Slam" has helped her to continue working on documentaries. She is currently working on a film called "How We Dine," where she will explore the way family dining cultures vary. She also teaches video to high school students at a non-profit company that airs its show on Cable Access 19.
"The Original Slam" is one of five productions. Other producers include Tom Bailey, Melinda Kolb, Brendan Kredell, Judy Kropsch, Jackie Sestak and Etta Worthington. The remaining documentaries cover other aspects of Chicago culture-including small neighborhood businesses and swing dancing.
"There isn't necessarily an overall message," said Jason Stephens, the executive director of Split Pillow. "That's the fun of this message. You get a diversity of angles of this city."
Chicago 360 v.2 will be at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark St. on Fridays, April 20 - May 11 at 8 p.m. They will also appear in room 103 of Harold Washington College, 30 E. Lake St. on May 12 at 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Creative people can look forward to applying for this production opportunity offered by Split Pillow for Chicago 360 v.3. Stephens said the application process will reopen this week.
"One of the things I hope this series continues to do is focus on cultures and lives that you wouldn't focus on otherwise in this community," Stephens said. "It gives you a more in-depth look at the components that make Chicago the in-depth city that it is."
This year, Split Pillow will have a rolling application process and select projects throughout the year. The application can be downloaded online, and proposals can be e-mailed.
Contact information is on the Split Pillow Web site.
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