The Daily O’Collegian

Now a studio art sophomore in Oklahoma State University’s art department, Brockman has won the title of filmmaker with his short film “Moment.”

The film, preceded by a lecture from Brockman, will be shown at 8 tonight in the Student Union Theater.

Brockman decided to create a short film after discussing the idea with Jack Titus, his creative life drawing professor. Titus agreed to support him in an independent study of film through the art department.Brockman was able to create an alternative to traditional art by using the same aspects and concepts of art along with Titus’ art expertise.

“I could only offer advice on aesthetics rather than mechanical aspects,” Titus said.

Brockman was influenced by what he learned about design and aesthetics in his art courses. The techniques he developed, combined with elements like time and movement, are evident throughout the film.

“Of course, it’s rare for a student to express interest in film, especially at a school without a film department,” Titus said.

The lack of a film department at OSU was not a deterrent for Brockman, he said.

At the beginning of the spring 2001 semester, he started gathering footage taken over the past two years, and began work on his own film, “Moment,” during his free time.

“I wanted to make a film that had the aesthetic of a painting, but still engaged the viewer on a narrative level as well,” Brockman said.

He said he came up with the idea during a daily routine.“The idea for the project came to me as I was shaving,” he said. “I began to consider the infinite number of events and experiences going on outside of my own life in the same amount of time it took me to execute a daily trivial act such as shaving.”

He said many hours of work went into the 30-minute film, which portrays one minute in time as it pertains to the lives of various individuals and the world in which they live. The concept of the film is to show how time relates to everyone and their experiences.

“As the idea developed, I began collecting footage I thought would convey the notion of simultaneity in nature, thought and the contrasting experiences of people’s daily lives,” Brockman said.

“Moment” is Brockman’s attempt to capture his idea.

The film was shot in cemeteries, small neighborhoods and the natural Oklahoma landscape surrounding Stillwater. Brockman received help from his friends, whose natural ability to act was captured, often without any direction.         

“I couldn’t have done this movie without my friends,” he said. “I’m glad they put up with me and my camera for so long.”

Brockman also credits Damon Blaylack for his inspiration. After seeing the film “At Sunset,” which Blaylack, another OSU student, created with help from the English department, Brockman said he wanted to present his short film to the OSU community.

“The day after I saw Damon’s film, I began shooting footage for my own film project,” Damon said. “I was impressed that he was able to create a feature-length film at a school without a film program. Without Damon’s help, I would have never known how to go about getting a film shown on campus.”

Brockman was able to impress his most important audience member — his father, Bruce Brockman, who also is the head of the OSU theater department.

“I really liked how he caught the same moments over the same time,” Bruce Brockman said.

With his extensive background in theater, Bruce Brockman is hesitant to take any credit for his son’s work, but admitted it was a presence in his son’s upbringing.

“Probably growing up in the theater community had an influence over his work,” he said.