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Press release for Randy's most recent film, "Kaleidoscope"
"CUTTING LOOSE" April 24, 2002 By Jane Holahan - New Era Staff Writer --- "They never made me feel like an outcast because I went to a preppie college," says Wilkins, a 2001 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College. "They made e feel like I grew up with them." Wilkins, 22, felt so comfortable, in fact, that he's made a documentary film about the place. It will be shown at F&M Thursday at 4:30 pm in the Stahr Auditorium and again Sunday at 8 pm in the Green Room Theater. Both showings are open to the public. Wilkins, who's from the Bronx, filmed "100%Live" in February and March. He edited the seven hours of film he shot into a 35-minute movie that not only introduces the viewer to the men who run the barbershop but to the attitudes and perceptions of Lancaster's black community. "I didn't realize how important, how vital the shop is to the community," Wilkins says. "Going to F&M, I'm encouraged to have my own voice. The people at the shop don't have that luxury. I can give them that stage where their voice can be heard. I just let them speak for themselves." The film grew out of a class Wilkins took on video narrative, taught by local filmmaker Mary Haverstick. He only took the class because he needed an art credit. He had no idea he'd enjoy it so much. "It's a funny thing, but I'm not a movie guy. I don't watch movies. But I always had scenes in my head; I always create stories," he says. "I make up movies on my own." Haverstick saw that ability and encouraged him. His first movie was a 15-minute documentary about a pakistani friend who was being pushed into an arranged marriage by his parents. "I was in the barbershop one day telling Baldy about the film, and he made a joke about making a movie(about the shop). Everybody laughed at the idea, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I could bring these two worlds together, that maybe I could teach something to F&M," Wilkins says. Wilkins, who is black, has has always moved between these two worlds. "I went to an all-white private high school. It was a lot like F&M," he says. "It's natural to me to deal with different types of people but still maintain who I am." His ability to interview people and make them open up is evident in "100%Live", and Wilkins says he's happy with the way the interviews went and the insights people offered. He was also able to capture the spirit of the shop, which bustles with laughter, energy and plenty of talk. "He did a nice job putting it together," says Tyler, who's owned the shop for 11 years. "The best thing about it was the way he caught the people - my customers. Everybody got to see themselves. He wanted to catch the true atmosphere and not put up a front." He knew the toughest critic would be his mom, Pam Wilkins. She, along with Wilkins' sister, Kellee, and his dad, Kerry, came for the first showing at F&M several weeks ago. "She was really impressed," Wilkins says. "She always expects excellence from me, which is kind of weird, but when she actually saw the film she was happy." And yes, Wilkins is thinking about his next film project. "I've got lots of ideas," he says with a smile. |