University of Oklahoma | School of Art | Independent Film Project at OU

For further information contact:
Carmen Hill
Tel. (405) 325-4670
carmenhill@ou.edu

NORMAN--A major television production by the University of Oklahoma of the ballet Carmina Burana is being distributed by the American Public Television and will air by public television stations across the country as of April 4, 2004.

Carmina Burana: The Ballet is a one-hour production of the Independent Film Project in the School of Art. Performed by the Oklahoma Festival Ballet of the School of Dance, with technical support from the School of Drama, this video production was directed and edited by Shawnee Brittan, filmmaker-in-residence and head of the Independent Film Project. Four film production students from Mr. Brittan's film video production class in the School of Art received professional associate producer credits. Brittan's professional creative team consisted of producer Joanna M. Champlin and co-producer Drake Bingham, Ph.D.

"The idea of this television project originated in the Independent Film Project, which gives student filmmakers and ballet dancers an opportunity to work with industry and artistic professionals in a real life, real world television production," said Brittan. "The entire production was done within the College of Fine Arts and, to my knowledge, is the first production of its scope ever done by a major university."

The ballet Carmina Burana, with music by German composer Carl Orff (1895-1982), choreography by James Clouser, was staged by Mary Margaret Holt, director of the School of Dance, and faculty Donn Edwards and Jeremy Lindberg. This production was made possible in part by the Office of the President David L. Boren, the College of Fine Arts, the Independent Film Project, and the School of Art in the University of Oklahoma.

Carmina Burana : The Ballet had a preview screening September 26, 2002, at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and aired in Oklahoma's public television station, OETA, September 4, 2003.

"The School of Dance is delighted to participate in this exciting video production of the ballet Carmina Burana ," said Director Mary Margaret Holt. "It has been a wonderful experience for our students, as it increases their awareness of the collaborative nature of dance as a performing art and its capability to communicate through film. We believe that the visual power of the choreography will draw audiences into its many layers of meaning and expression."

This video is an outcome of an initiative by the Independent Film Project, an instructional innovation in the School of Art. The Independent Film Project seeks to bridge the gap between the academic and working worlds by using non-traditional and cross-disciplinary approaches promoting interaction among students, professionals, and the general public in film and video areas through symposia, workshops, independent film screenings with cast and crew, and special projects.

VHS tapes available for $24.95 plus $4.95 S&H per order.
To order VHS copies of the PBS television production of the ballet "Carmina Burana" call (405) 325-7949. Please make checks payable to the University of Oklahoma School of Art and mail your order to: