I asked for a screener of Trailerpark for the title alone. I have always been fascinated with the intricate hillbilly dramas created inside the mini-fiefdoms of mobile home communities. Little did I know that this film was produced by a bunch of students for a class at Ohio University. Thankfully, it does not disappoint.

            For story, you’ve got all the goods. There’s the local pot dealer, the retired military man who spies at his neighbors through binoculars, the single mom trying to do “good” by her daughter, the married gay guy, the trashy-hot unsatisfied wife, the lottery player, and one woman whose trailer is quickly being taken over by Guinea pigs. This is Larry McMurty’s trailer park, a place where characters and situations play out to an end. There is no big conflict—if there is one, it’s simple survival. You get the sense that these folks will still be here, next year, in similar situations—except for that drug dealer!—and maybe there’s something comforting in that.

            What really works—and, honestly, shouldn’t, given the multiple cinematographers, sound techs, and directors credited to the production—is the quality of what’s presented onscreen. It was impossible to tell if Trailerpark was shot on digital video or actual expensive film stock—only later did I learn the students used a fairly cheap digital cam. The trick was the clever use of 35 MM lenses attached to the digital camera, which allowed for nice depth of field. The sound—often overlooked by young independent filmmakers—was great (with one notable exception toward the beginning). But the lighting was better than any locally-produced film I’ve seen in a long time. And since there were so many cooks in the kitchen, I have to think much of the credit should go to the gaffer of all people.

            The editing, too, was surprisingly good. There’s a scene inside a bar in which a conversation between two actors takes place overtop a fight that breaks out in the background. To the average viewer, it’s a cool scene. To anyone who has spent time on a movie set, it’s damn impressive. There was a lot to juggle, there: sound, lighting, choreography, acting, continuity of the beers in hand, ambient noise, etc. And all that had to match up each time the camera changed position, so that it could be edited into a seamless moment later on. I’ve heard they’re planning to cut that scene from the final print. Here’s hoping they’re not that crazy. It was my favorite.

            The movie could use some additional tunes and dolly shots—I felt trapped inside those trailers, sometimes—but overall, this a good time for anyone who loved The Last Picture Show and laughed at Meet Joe Dirt.

            Trailerpark screens Friday, March 19 at 6:45 p.m., Saturday, March 20 at 1:45 p.m., and Sunday, March 21 at 11:15 a.m.

-James Renner james@clevelandindependent.com