June 24, 2003

Contact: Mike Boring, Department of Theatre and Film, (785) 749-1130.

21 student filmmakers receive first Tensie Awards offered by KU film faculty

LAWRENCE -- Twenty-one student filmmakers at the University of Kansas received awards at the first Tensie Awards on May 16 at Liberty Hall.

The Tensie Awards -- KU's version of the Academy Awards -- were created by the film production committee of the Department of Theatre and Film to recognize outstanding student filmmaking during the past academic year. The winners were chosen by faculty members and recent KU film alumni guest judges Robert Kortlucke, Gavon Laessing, Matt Mason and Niki Newland. Assistant professors Matt Jacobson and Kevin Willmott served as presenters for the event. Jacobson created a video accompaniment to the presentation, including brief clips from the nominated films.

About 200 people attended the event, which marked the first time the film section of the department held its own awards program. In the past the theatre section and film section held a joint banquet.

Jeremy Osbern, Lawrence senior in theatre and film, came away with three awards: Best Director and Best Music Video for "The Passion" and a Special Recognition Award for "Off the Wall." He and the other winners received film reels as trophies. The reels later were adorned with engraved brass plates.

Award winners, their year in school and major, parents' names, high school alma mater (if available), their awards and the titles of their winning films are listed below by hometown.

CHEROKEE COUNTY
From Galena
Steven Rae Phipps, senior in theatre and film, son of Steve and Sherry Phipps; Galena High School graduate; "Worse Than Seeing Your Parents Having Sex" Award (Most Disturbing Imagery) for "Mourning Glory."

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Scott Alan Johnson, senior in theatre and film, son of Larry and Peggy Johnson; Free State High School graduate; Best Comedy for "Subtext."
Jeremy L. Osbern, senior in theatre and film, son of Mike and Lida Osbern; Free State High School graduate; Best Director and Best Music Video for "The Passion;" Special Recognition Award for "Off the Wall."
Paul David Shoulberg, senior in theatre and film; Lawrence High School graduate; Best Comedy for "Subtext."

ELLIS COUNTY
From Hays
Matthew J. Blume, senior in theatre and film, son of James Blume; Thomas More Prep-Marian graduate; Special Recognition Award for "Kallide."

HARVEY COUNTY
From Sedgwick
Lucas Joel Mosiman, senior in theatre and film, son of Brad and Wendy Mosiman; Sedgwick High School graduate; Best Comedy for "Subtext."

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe
Kyle Nathaniel Hamrick, senior in theatre and film, son of Libby Hamrick; Olathe East High School graduate; Best Experimental for "Untitled."

From Overland Park
Jennifer Ellen Mohr, senior in theatre and film, daughter of Jan and Ellen Mohr; Olathe East High School graduate; John Brown Award (Best Political Statement) for "Pusher Man."

From Prairie Village
David Bruce Brodie, senior in theatre and film and English, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Brodie; Shawnee Mission East High School graduate; Best Videography for "Her Routine."

From Shawnee
Paul A. Santos, senior in theatre and film, son of Fermin and Maria Santos; Bishop Miege High School graduate; Best Animation for "The Animator's Nightmare."

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Blake T. Gladfelter, senior in English, son of Greg and Cindy Gladfelter; Wichita High School Northwest graduate; Best Editing for "Embers."

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Tyler Dean Alfrey , senior in theatre and film and English, son of Joleen Steele; Silver Lake Rural High School graduate; Best Picture, Best Drama for "Supper's Ready."
Matthew Duane Simonson, senior in theatre and film, son of Jim and Pat Simonson; Topeka High School graduate; Best Documentary for "Barbed Wire and Buffets."
Erin Dawn Widmer, senior in theatre and film, daughter of Gaylord and Georgianna Widmer; Shawnee Heights High School graduate; Leo Beuerman Award (Best Work with Local Significance) for "Sex Mis-Education: Problems with Sexuality Education in Our Society."

SUMNER COUNTY
From Belle Plaine
Jason Charles Liebegott, senior in French and in theatre and film, son of Karen Liebegott; Belle Plaine High School graduate; John Brown Award (Best Political Statement) for "Pusher Man."

ILLINOIS
From Lake Forest
Sean Robert Kiely, senior in theatre and film, Lake Forest High School graduate; John Brown Award (Best Political Statement) for "Pusher Man."

NEBRASKA
From Omaha
Kevin Michael Beacom, senior in theatre and film, son of Michael Beacom; Mount Michael Benedictine High School graduate (Elkhorn, Neb.); Cecil D. DeMille Award (Longest Project) for "Stab."
Christopher Dean Blunk, senior in theatre and film, son of Rick and Ginger Blunk; Millard South High School graduate; Special Recognition Award for "Off the Wall" and Best Sound for "The Fascist of X-Mart."

From Schuyler
Patrick Michael Rea, senior in theatre and film, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rea; Schuyler High School graduate; Best Body of Work Overall.

OHIO
From Cincinnati
Jonathon R. Allen, senior in theatre and film, son of Carol Wales; Turpin High School graduate; Best Cinematography for "Supper's Ready."

SOUTH DAKOTA
From Sioux Falls
Christopher Daniel Ordal, junior in theatre and film, son of Dan Brenda Ordal; Washington Senior High School graduate; Best Comedy for "Subtext."