Community Collaboration - The Sounds of Silents: A Brief History of the Silent Film Era
SEMYO seeks to educate the audience about the era of silent films and two of its greatest actors/directors, Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. SEMYO also seeks to increase access to the arts for the community at large by providing a free performance in a public venue. This program is expected to have intergenerational appeal, for young audience members who have never seen silent films and for older audience members who may re-visit the past, enjoying the films in a new way, with accompaniment by a live orchestra. Audience members are expected to come away with knowledge and appreciation of these two complementary art forms.
A survey was distributed to audience members and results were compiled. Of the people who completed the survey, the results are below:
1. Have you previously seen a silent film?
14 - Yes; 15 - No
2. What did you learn about the era of silent films?
"They began in 1895," "Timing was an important part to the comedy," "Learned about the history and origins," "Old fashioned entertainment," "Learned about the importance of music in the film," "How music adds to the emotion," "The actors don't mouth the actual words," "How entertaining they are," "Charlie Chaplin made a film every three weeks,"
3. Are you: Female: 24; Male: 15
Ages: 12 and under-8 attendees; 13 to 18-13 attendees; 19 to 59-16 attendees; 60+ - 3 attendees.
Additional comments include:
"Thank you, this was a wonderful event-well done!" "We loved this show!" "Nice job SEMYO!" "Thanks for hosting this. Excellent job, always a pleasure to listen to them."
Southeastern Libraries Cooperating
Leo Aeikens - Albert Lea, Sally Baker - Austin, Martha Hauschildt - Brownsdale, Liz Wanschura - Caledonia, Carol Price - Cannon Falls, Denise Mullen - Chatfield, Nancy Smith - Dodge Center, Clint Patterson - Dodge County, Mary Jane Holland - Faribault, Judy Webster - Harmony, Kurt Carlson - Hokah, Marilyn Frauenkron Bayer - Houston, Lori Hopkins - Kasson, Rhana Olson - Kenyon, Robin Yaffe Tschumper - LaCrescent, Andru Peters - Lake City, Barb Payne - LeRoy, Robert Elliott - Lonsdale, Deanna Larson - Mabel, Robert Bruce - Northfield, Thomas Sherman - Olmsted County, John Pfeifer - Owatonna, Kim Aarsvold - Pine Island, Mary Schneider - Plainview, Charles Sparks - Preston, Sara Hoffman - Red Wing, Galen Malecha - Rice County, Diane Moench - Rochester, Valerie Hasleiet - Rushford, Jill Mueller - St Charles, Pat Falbo - Spring Grove, Carol Gross - Spring Valley, Janice Welch - Stewartville, Judith Schotzko - Wabasha, Dave Harms - Wabasha County, Judy Rusert - Winona County, Ann Goplen - Zumbrota