Vision Problems -- 1st Place Winner at the Baltimore Film and Video Festival.

Most of us have been approached and engaged by the lure of credit cards. For us they are a means of acquiring various services and products; perhaps to fill a genuine need -- or perhaps an emotional void. Whatever the reason, the convenience and delusion of credit cards is virtually inescapable as we pursue "the pursuit of happiness".

The frenzy of that pursuit is humorously and poignantly represented in Vision Problems, as Jeff Sumerel gives a maniacal, engaging account of his struggle to finance artistic endeavors. Sumerel's candid performance with its amusing narrative touches an obsession that lies within many of us and reflects the challenge to balance passion and desire with common sense and responsibility.

"Vision Problems involves us in the stunning and witty transformation of the artist as whining individualist into the artist as a catalyst for the community ...leaving the viewer exhilarated at the possibilities and power of art." --Alfred Nordmann, Professor of Philosophy.

RUNNING TIME: 20 minutes. RATED: for mature audiences

Evelyn Rosewater's Forlorn Beauty -- A participatory feature-length comedy.

A funny & inventive video from South Carolina's award-winning producer/director, Jeff Sumerel. Posing as Evelyn Rosewater, an elderly and eccentric Southern "lady", Sumerel takes us on a journey through Rosewater's past and present.

Seen through the striking, humorous visuals of videographer Bud Anderson; open-mindedness and a sense of adventure is required by the audience to enjoy this performance piece. All audience members get an activity book, with such puzzles as finding the pictured tray that doesn't contain "funeral food".

Evelyn's silliness is underscored by subtle commentary on the nature of the culture of the South, which has always celebrated eccentricity.

RUNNING TIME: 56 minutes RATED: for mature audiences.

KUDZULA! LIVE ON STAGE and SCREEN-- A bizarre and hilarious, one-of-a-kind performance that has been described as "Ed Wood meets Mystery Science Theater".

Since 1961, Hollywood producer Roger Soreman has continually demonstrated how to overcome a lack of ability and talent with persistence and delusion. Throughout the years, each of Mr. Soreman's ill-fated, grandiose productions has put him a step closer to perfecting imperfection. Kudzula!, his most recent endeavor, is no exception.

At a low-rent dubbing studio, we see Roger in the eleventh hour of the post-production of Kudzula!. Once again, Roger is convinced this could be his masterpiece "with just a little tweaking". All he needs to do is dub the entire film with voices and sound effects. In one take. By himself. No actors, no Foley artists, no colleagues. No one. Roger stands alone in the dubbing studio facing his dilemma. For the first time ever he contemplates defeat.

Then, just like in a Hollywood movie, an opportunity of a lifetime arises. An opportunity that is a wish of every filmmaker. An opportunity that presents Roger with the most challenging moment of his career.

With wild abandon, Roger seizes the moment and turns to meet his destiny. Will he become a success beyond his wildest delusions? Or become an historic benchmark in movie-making oblivion?

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RUNNING TIME: 75 minutes. RATED: for mature audiences.

More Than Enough
This film is a lean, humorous tale that evolves from several everyday citizens who coincidently reach a saturation point of consumerism. The resulting confrontations, decisions, reactions, and consequences provide a ripe setting for social satire.

More Than Enough will be told in a compelling, non-conventional narrative form. A simple, common film technique, will be utilized in an unusual way. Audiences will have the opportunity to actually feel as though they are a part of the film. Only their willingness and imagination will limit the extent of their experience as a character within this witty, clever story about the evaluation of wants and needs.

Writer, Producer, & Director: Jeff Sumerel
Producers: Jeter Rhodes, Jeff Sumerel
Editor: Jeter Rhodes

Short Subjects

The Shawl: a hypnotic tone is set as a trip to the attic reveals a grandmother's hand-knitted garment which sparks a spirited, bizarre monologue accompanied by a flamenco guitarist. (5 minutes)

Video Graffiti: unlikely sites throughout an unsuspecting downtown become canvases for irreverant writings and sketches. (4 minutes)

All Circuits Are Busy: The catalyst for this fun, fast-paced art video is the topic of telephones , as seen through the unique and strange drawings of middle school art students. (4 minutes).

Chew: a late night dinner at the Waffle House provides the setting for the self-proclaimed Funniest Man in America, James Gregory, as he weaves one of his hilarious, rarely heard stories. (6 minutes).

Plow the Sky: George Bigby recalls his childhood experience when he attended a traveling carnival that highlighted a spectacular diving mule. (6 minutes).

Spare Time with George Bigby: a delightful, twisted travelogue series that takes us to various locales including The Circus Peanut Cathedral in Texas, a section of the U.S. Cash Flow Pipeline in Tennesee, and a Hacky Sack factory in Missouri, among others. (Five part series, 2 minutes each).

I Think I Can: a clever and very effective documentation of cross country trip that has people from all walks of life reading from the classic children's book The Little Engine That Could. (5 minutes).