By Alysa Obert
She leaned back in her chair, explained her thirty minute timeline and stepped out of the room to grab a drink of water. The office was sparse, newly moved into with a mug that said “you may all go to hell but I’m going to Texas” and a large teapot which hinted that espresso wasn't her preference. Her short hair was controlled, an artistic disarray and her sapphire blue sweater was a welcomed contrast to the white walls. Gordon College, the time has come to meet your new Communication Arts Professor, Virginia (Toddy) Burton.
Burton grew up in a small tourist town in Nevada, went to boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire, and did her Undergrad at Brown University which was briefly interrupted when she took of a year to work in film production. After College she spent time in New York City and it was off again this time to the University of Texas. She spent seven years in Austin where she wrote and directed her two short films, Alien Rose and The Aviatrix.
Perhaps the most interesting fact about Burton is not her accomplishments, nor where she has been. It is her view of film, its role, and the how “faith infuses everything.” Burton made the disclaimer that while her faith is fundamental especially to her filmmaking and stories, she is more subversive in her approach. Burton believes that art and film in particular are about serving the audience.
“Frequently it is easy to think about it as self expression or this autonomous idea, but I try and return as much as I can to this idea of thinking of it as servant hood,” said Burton.
Burton will continue to pursue filmmaking while teaching here at Gordon College. She is at present working on two scripts: one she hopes to direct. For further information and a look at her short, The Aviatrix see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVJuWZGmQUY
No comments:
Post a Comment