Those kids are pretty darned talented

Tonight I attended the Redstone Film Festival hosted by Boston University and (as summed up by The Boston Phoenix) "Sponsored by Boston native [Viacome CEO] Sumner Redstone, the festival is considered the BU Film and Television Department’s signature event, providing a showcase for work by the school’s student filmmakers."

My initial reason for going was self-serving, I was in one of the films nominated ("A Simple Taste"); however, the 29-year-old festival was bolstering in a way I hadn't expected. It reminded me of the beautiful, funny, thought-provoking work we can be a part of while honing our skills and adding to our resumes.

It's easy to dismiss a listing for a student film audition with feeble excuses - it's not a "real" film - it doesn't pay - it'll never be seen by anyone. The quality of work exhibited at Redstone tonight was reason enough to not let those excuses even enter your mind. Some of these "kids" have a passion that will one day take them into the bigs... now just imagine them remembering you, that dedicated actor who gave them a few days of work with the same commitment as you would a star-vehicle....