Very few people get the opportunity to see a student film. Even fewer understand student films, what goes into making them and how proud an amateur filmmaker can be after viewing his own project.

The audience may find the movie low quality, probably because it wasn't shot on 35mm film -- like most mainstream movies are -- and they may find the script or acting devoid of what they think is talent.

Student films are made for a number of reasons and once the audience understands these reasons, they tend to not be so harsh. Tonight, on NTTV channel 22, the film Work: In Progress, will be shown at 7 p.m. Directed by Ryan Gully, Richardson senior, and written by Raleigh Chen, UT graduate, this is the true definition of a student film.

Not necessarily a movie made for a class, but for fun. Filled with inside jokes and semi-autobiographical experiences, it was made by a group of friends, in this case Gully, Chen, Michael Attaway and Chris Simmons, starring them as well. I know for the vast majority this concept may seem alien, but I assure you, it is a reigning pastime among up-and-coming or first-time filmmakers.

Work has the flaws that are found in most amateur movies: certain plot holes, occasional unnatural acting and dialogue and experimentation gone awry at some moments when it comes to cinematography and editing. This, however, should be overlooked -- for the most part. Unless the movie is lacking in all of the axes of film, then try to look at it from a struggling artist's perspective. Notice the flaws, but focus on the good things and be somewhat optimistic on the filmmaker's behalf.

Some of the most unique aspects of student films come from the non-diagetic elements. Once again, Work: In Progress serves as a prime example of this. The music of the film, comprised of selections by Dan Hyer and Twelve Sided Di, is not the type that could be found on a Hollywood soundtrack, but it does give the film a certain flavor that most others lack. The audience tends to know a little bit about the student filmmaker just by the score or music the film has, because there are no lucrative contracts that force songs to be placed in movies.

If you tune in tonight, you won't see a great film, but you will see a film that took great work and perseverance to make.

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