Welcome to 'A World Named Jimmy'

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat From left, camera assistant Aaron Wickenden, director Matt Harp, and director of photography Kevin Robbins block-out the next shot of ãA World Named Jimmy.ä

This is the question University of Arizona student Matt Harp explores in "A World Named Jimmy," a short film he wrote and directed, about a young boy who does not quite meet society's expectations of how pre-adolescent males should behave. The film's focus is on the way 12-year-old Jimmy believes the world perceives him.

The short begins with a voice-over narrative from a now grown-up Jimmy. A small group of children are shown watching TV, and as the narrator speaks, the camera draws closer to the television until we are sucked into the screen. The film then ventures into the world of Jimmy, changing scenes with each channel flip, periodically throwing in black-and-white dream sequences in an otherwise color work.

In this world, drawing and reading take priority over winning and losing, imagination is more important than physical education. Not everyone shares Jimmy's values, though. The major figures in his life include a verbally abusive, "you-play-like-a-girl" P.E. coach, a narrow-minded father and a mother whom Jimmy won't listen to because he figures she's against him, just like everyone else.

Harp, who's scheduled to graduate in May, made "A World Named Jimmy" with the help of producer Georgina Reidel, assistant producer Sandy Duchac and a crew of 15 UA students. Harp cast 9-year-old Jeff Walsh as Jimmy after seeing him in "Kentucky Cycle" at the UA, and eight children from the local Boys and Girls Club were also cast, though most do not have speaking parts.

A Tucson native and one of six children, Harp used to build models and read a lot. Although this film is a not autobiographical, he does liken himself to Jimmy in many ways. "I hated P.E.!" he says. "They put you out there at the hottest time of the day and you do absolutely nothing. I took that idea and stretched it a bit for the movie."

Harp was also able to relate to Jimmy's retreat into his own fantasy world.

"When you have five brothers and sisters, finding your own space becomes very important," he comments.

Harp estimates the total cost of production to be somewhere under $10,000, adding that the UA was very helpful in providing equipment, as well as helping him receive a $1,000 grant from Kodak for film.

As of now, everyone's goal is to get the film done by graduation and to have it shown locally by May 7. After that, the plan is to submit it to film festivals.

"There's a big market for short films out there and this is a pretty good film; I don't think it'll have a problem being accepted (to any festival)," says producer Reidel. "Then again, I guess I am a little biased," she jokes.

Even as the deadline approaches, festival acceptance is still not the most important thing on Harp's mind, though.

"The most important thing is making a learning experience out of it for yourself, while you're making other people think at the same time. It's about self-reflection," he says.

Concerned with expanding people's minds instead of worrying about deadlines?

Sounds like something Jimmy might say.