A look at the 27 episodes of Cinema Central
Season 1 Fall 1996
To view an edited version of the opening from the first season click here.
Episode 1
This is the show that started it all. Not much for writing but
you could see where the show was headed. The plot is rather
simple: A new college student (Guy) has everything going for him
but throws it all away by getting his girlfriend pregnant,
gambling, and drinking. Produced/Written/Directed by Keith
Hillock, Brian Seifferlein, and Dave Cebulski; starring Brett
Darago, Mandy Adler, and Pat Krass.
If any psychos get excited because they remember one little classroom incident where you dropped your pencil and thank them for picking it up, run now. One classmate went a little to far in pursuing his classmate. What was supposed to be a joke became in obsession as Vince kept stalking Tina.. Chilling ending!
May I Cut In?-Written by Keith Hillock, starring Ellen Connell as Tina, Landon Cooke as Vince, Seth Triezenberg as Mike, and Emily Rose as Wendy.
A reporter trying to make a documentary on a principal who was a high school dropout. But it turns out nobody really cares, and the reporter gives up with the whole idea of making a documentary.
When this show was made, we didn't have the best editing equipment, so when the "rec." symbol was inserted, major generation loss happened, and we even had a nice rainbow to enjoy in some of our shots (see lower left picture). This wouldn't happen today with the new equipment.
Apathy In America-Written by Brian Seifferlein, starring: Brett Darago as Tracy the reporter, Landon Cooke as Principal Angler, Dave Cebulski as the camera person who happens to be a man, and Josh Frantz as Mr. Corvall.
Our first hour long episode! A romantic comedy,
about a loser (Tim) looking for the right girl, goes through many
bad dates. Until his friend (Peter) tells him about their
classmate who would be perfect for him and the perfect way to
meet her. They meet and things go a little rough, but fall into
place at the end. This show had a few actors from the CMU theater
department making a first and last appearance, which helped make
this a strong show. Taking A Chance-Written by Dave
Cebulski, starring Brett Darago as Tim, Rebekah Teiffenbach as
Rebecca, Josh Frantz as Peter, and Kyle Gargaro as Jeff.
Season Two
Spring 1997
Things Better Left Unsaid
The second season began with an interesting
look at today's society.
If you were in a situation that was life threatening, would you
be there, or have the person who loved the most be in your place
if that decision was up to you? This drama of a modern day martyr
goes through situations that could have been a lot different if
things were said differently. Things Better Left Unsaid
written by Brian Seifferlein, starring Landon Cooke as Brad,
Emily Rose, Joe Yacsich, and Ellen Conell.
We're All Clones
A woman struggles with a mid-life crisis at the age of thirty. After getting interested in the career of the philosopher and professor Riekki, drinking, and sleeping around, she learns a lesson in individuality. We're All Clones written by Dave Cebulski starring Jama Fenstermaker, Chris Cook, and Ron Riekki as professor Riekki.
Chain of Command
Part of this show was taped on location in
Brighton, Michigan. The first show written by a regular cast
member of Cinema Central.
A member of the mob runs off his mouth to clear his name from any
wrong doings only to find out he has been talking to wrong people
all along. Chain of Command written by Landon Cooke, and
starring Brett Darago, Chris Cook, Landon Cooke, Mary Hutter, and
Joe Yacsich.
If it Ain't Broke
A favorite among cast members. This classic black and white silent movie about students working on a television show with lousy broadcasting equipment is the season's best show. The students hire a 'criminal' to destroy their equipment in hopes of getting 'new' equipment. However their dreams of wonderful technology are ruined by the President who didn't even know that there was a broadcasting department. An ensemble cast for this one.
The last half hour of episode 8 was a behind
the scenes look at Cinema Central. Interviews, the first scene
from the silent movie show with audio was included, as well as an
important lesson on continuity.
Season Three
Fall 1998
Third season produced by Brian Seifferlein and
Mary Louise Hutter
Episode 9
Cornstalks written by Matthew J. Schutt
Directed by Brian Seifferlein and Mary Louise Hutter
Starring: Emily Rose, Dan Wryzinski, Kelli Higgins, lauren
bakhaus, and Chris Bacon
The new season began with a show written by
Wayside Entertainment Owner Matthew J. Schutt. It was the first
time he had someone else ever produce his work.
A runaway girl gets picked up by a stranger on his way to an
accident. While on their adventure everyone they pick up in the
car also wants to see the accident. Only they are the one who are
involved in the accident.
Episode 10
Life Would Be A Dream Directed and written by Brian
Seifferlein
Starring: lauren bakhaus, and Brian Seifferlein
A woman who suffers from a disease dies at the aid of the doctor,
only to find out that there was a cure for her disease. She finds
out in her afterlife what she misses out on.
Episode 11
Legends of CMU
Directed by Mary Louise Hutter and Seth Triezenberg
Written by Mary Louise Hutter
Narrated by: Brett Darago and Seth Triezenberg
A look at the ghost stories of Central Michigan University are
examined, with some stories recreated.
Episode 12
Collision
Written and directed by Chris Cook and Seth Triezenberg
Starring: Seth Triezenberg and Mary Louise with a special cameo
appearance by Dave Cebulski
In a span of twenty four hours, the lives of two people having a
bad day collide
Episode 13
The Chocolate Tower
Written by Mary Louise Hutter
Starring lauren bakhaus
Surrealism. A dream of Mary's comes to life David Lynch style on
the television screen. Great use of action rather than dialogue.
Most of the show was shot in Bay City Central's High School.
After the show there was a behind the scenes recap of highlights
from the past season and cast interviews in a documentary that
lives up to it's name: Fill it up with Cinema Central.
Season Four
Spring 1998
Produced by Kelli Higgins and Dave Cebulski
Episode 14
A Hall Night Party
Written and directed by Dave Cebulski
9 students decide to spend a night in one of the college
buildings after a maintenance worker gets murdered there the
night before. Starring Rory Mallon, Frank Casceli, Heather
Hansen, and Brett Darago.
View a clip of A Hall Night Party
Episode 15
Deja Vu
Written and Directed by Kelli Higgins
A movie fanatic gets caught up in her favorite movie scenes,
literally while touring a new college campus. Starring Sîan
Williams.
Episode 16
The Meaning Of Life
Written by Ron Reikki
Directed by Dave Cebulski
This was a complete hour long show that had no psa breaks. There
was barely time to stick on the ending credits. One of the best
scripts the show have ever used. Great plot to as a couple get
caught up over the existence of God and put marriage and sex on
the line.
Starring Brett Darago, Sîan Williams, Dave Cebulski, and Heather
Hansen.
Episode 17
The History of Cinema Central
A documentary about the history of Cinema Central. Everything
from the first episode up to The Meaning of Life.
Includes interviews with Brian Seifferlein, Dave Cebulski, Mary
Louise Hutter, Kelli Higgins and others.
Episode 18
The Peterman Baby
Written and directed by Kelli Higgins
Remember when you're parents would joke that
you were always adopted? Well one girl finds out that she
actually was adopted and tries to uncover her past.
Starring Sîan Williams, Bethany Histed, Rory Mallon, and Rob
Dolton
Episode 19
Mount Pleasant
A tribute to the town in a small way. Plus the
realization of an individual who learns you have to accept what
other people do in your life.
Starring Sîan Williams, Brett Darago, and Bethany Histed
Season Five
Fall 1998
Produced by Kelli Higgins and Bret Darago
Episode 20
To Know What You Don't Have
Written and directed by Brett Darago
T.K.W.Y.D.H was a four month project that had to be shot in three
weeks like the rest of Cinema Central's shows. Claire Wadsworth
is married to an abusive husband and meets a classmate who falls
for her. T.K.W.Y.D.H is full of comedy, suspense, and brilliant
acting. This show will be redone someday.
Includes: Melissa Westwood, Zak Kareem, David Steiner,
John Tinker, Lindsay Malloy, Liz Wright, Chris Bacon, Rachel
Krupa, Sian Williams, Erin Kennedy, Lindsay Allen, Brett Darago,
Arion Alston, Jeff Gostomski.
Episode 21
What's Done Is Done
Written and Directed by Sian Williams
This show was based on flashbacks and also marked the return of
Brian Seifferlein as an actor on the show. The story revolves
around sex and death.
Includes: Nikkie Hartmann, Brian Seifferlein, John Tinker,
Melissa Westwood, Jessica Elsey, Brett Darago, Chris Bacon, Arion
Alston, Seth Triezenberg, Erin Kennedy, Lindsay Allen, Zak
Kareem.
Episode 22
Woman Rule
Written and directed by Brett Darago
Includes: Brett Darago, Jessica Slating, Melissa Westwood, David
Steiner, Zak Kareem, Chris Bacon, Brenda Krupel, Lindsay Allen,
Erin Kennedy, Jessi Hubel, Beth Histed, Susan Wronski, Sian
Williams.
It was after this show that producer Kelli Higgins left the show.
The first comedy of the season, this show also had it's
controversies. There was one scene towards the end that had to be
cut becasue P.R.I.S.M (The gay and Lesbian Association at CMU)
had a little problem with the scene. This show was not completely
aired because it ran 45 minutes. It did run for two days, then
commercials were added so it could aire the following week. That
is when P.R.I.S.M saw it and the show was removed. But it still
lives.
Episode 23
Those Blue Surburban Skies
Written by Landon Cooke and directed by Brett Darago
The Great Landon Cooke was the responsible writer for this one.
Shot on location in Grand Rapids, Greenville, Detroit, and
Mt.Pleasant. Many thought that we received stock footage for this
show but we didn't. It was all homemade on our lovable Digital
DVC PRO Camera. It was an hour long with no breaks.
"T.B.S.S" is the first half to a two parter. The second
was already done by Cinema Central in 1996 and it was called
"Chain of Command." It was also written by Landon
Cooke.
Season Six
Spring 1999
Episode 24
Death Of An UnPopular Poet
Written and directed by David Steiner
Director of Photography: Brett Darago
Produced By: Brett Darago and Sian Williams
The opener of the 6th and final season of Cinema Central. David
Steiner, Brett Darago, and newly acquired Producer Sian Williams
step up to face a world of new challenges. The Central Michigan
Area was hit hard with a dose of realism vs. escapism. A tough
script to shoot but with the talent we casted along with the more
experienced crew, we were ready. "Death..." featured a
new face named Jason Powers who came to our show from the theatre
program at CMU. Jason played the memorable character of 'SKY' who
was a deep thinker, drinker, and enemy of himself. An hour long
tale that leaves a long lasting impression.
Episode 25
The Curriculum
Written by Susan Wronski, directed by Brett Darago, and produced
by Sian Williams
The Curriculum was a half hour show/no breaks, that took the
viewer inside a twisted facility that was into turning trouble
making students into war machines. Controlled war machines that
is.
features Brad Ervans and Erin Kennedy
Episode 26
Cafe Noir
Written, directed, and produced by Sian Williams
Look at the world through the eyes of a young woman who has no
idea what the people she is watching has lived through. As the
young woman looks as different people entering the cafe' we the
viewer get a flash into that characters life as we witness
secret's of their lives. From balemia, to date rape, to domestic
abuse, to suicide, "Cafe Noir packs" in a world full of
stories in a quick pace to make one realize that life sometimes
isn't what we see.
Episode 27
Soul Searching
Novel by: Scott Ebright, Screenplay by: Shelly Morrisette,
Directed by: Brett Darago
Doug (Brett Darago)moves into a haunted house owned by a friend
named Diane (Sian Williams). Possessions take place, burning
Quija Boards, domestic abuse, the search for faith and the
dominance of the human spirit all take place in this Cinema
Central Classic.
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