Endorsed and funded by Williams College, Purple Valley Films is a student‐run organization that promotes and supports independent filmmaking, through weekly movie screenings and its own production of movies. We have professional digital video cameras, lighting equipment, and a camera crane. Coupled with state-of-the-art editing facilities provided by the college, our members can enjoy a genuine film-making experience.
In a nutshell, Purple Valley Films organizes three types of activities:
Movie appreciation
Screenings are held every Friday evening. Titles range from classics (e.g. My Fair Lady), to cult (e.g. The Rocky Horror Picture Show), to Chinese (e.g. Chungking Express) – movies you don’t normally find in local cinemas. In addition, screenings are scheduled based on themes. For instance, January 2008 was our French Month, with screenings of musicals, dramas and comedies made in France. We may also take suggestions from our members.
Workshops
We conduct workshops to reveal the magic behind the scenes. Earlier in January 2008, Amelie was screened. It was a movie notable for its cinematography, particularly its smooth fluid camera movement. Thus we shared with our members how to stabilize the camera, by constructing on the spot an amateur SteadiCam out of a normal tripod.
Movie productions
As a student organization dedicated to independent filmmaking, we are actively involved in a number of movie productions. Some of these productions are not just filmmaking alone; there are community service projects in which members can meet different people and see life in new perspectives. Examples include Project New Orleans, in which our members spent a week of Spring Break in New Orleans, meeting other volunteers and local residents in addition to making a documentary.
Contact Information
For general enquiries, please email info [at] purplevalleyfilms [dot] com
Danny Y. Huang
Co-President
yh1 [at] williams [dot] edu
Ariel Kavoussi
Co-President
ak1 [at] williams [dot] edu
Helen Cha
Vice-President, treasurer
hjc1 [at] williams [dot] edu
Carly Valenzuela
Director of Public Relations
cbv1 [at] williams [dot] edu
Mailing Address
Purple Valley Films
1716 Paresky Center
39 Chapin Hall Drive
Williamstown MA 01267