4 Mar. 10-Apr.

6, 2010 | The Tower

Kean Student Takes His Film to the Ropes
By D.J. Jean
It’s not everyday that a student produc-
es a feature-length film.
But after three-and-a-half years of hard
work, on Saturday, February 13, Kean
University Media & Film student, Tim
Disbrow held a private screening of his
feature-length documentary film, titled
“Card Subject to Change” in the little the-
atre located at the University Center.
The film, an inside look at independent
professional wrestling, allows the audi-
ence to see the industry from the perspec-
tive of a local wrestling promoter, a vet-
eran, and other types of wrestlers.
According to Disbrow, his inspiration
for making this film came from his in-
volvement in the “indie” world of wres-
tling when he was younger. “Indie wres-
tling” refers to independent professional
wrestling or the independent circuit of
professional wrestling.
“I want people to take away an appre-
ciation for pro wrestling,” Disbrow said.
“I sort of wanted to open up the world of
wrestling to the general public. That was
my concept.”
Spring Break: A Different Approach
By Junior Jean-Baptiste
The sound of Spring Break in the college
atmosphere is often equated with party-
ing, drinking and going to faraway beaches
like those in Cancun or Florida. However,
quite a few Kean students have other ideas
about how to spend spring break.
Group of spring break college students at the beach.
Whitley Harris, 20, Junior and a Broad-
cast major is spending his spring break in
Montreal where a group of friends recom-
mended he go to for the break. On draw,
apparently, is that the drinking age is 18.
“The weather won’t bother me there,”
said Harris, acknowledging that it will
still be very cold in Canada this time of
year. “I’m saving a lot of money and me
Photo: Courtesy of Iron River Films
Promotional piece for the documentary, “Card
Subject to Change.”
Disbrow’s “Card Subject to Change”
was a product of three and a half
years of research, said Communication
Department Professors Scott McHugh
and Brian Oakes, who helped Disbrow
and my friends will be able to get served
at the bars.”
Harris also said the economy is pre-
venting many students from heading to
Florida or Cancun because they just can’t
spend the ample amount of money needed
on hotels and airfare.
“I want to spend a little amount of mon-
ey, but still have a good time,” said Harris.
Some students decided to take ad-
vantage of the spring break to work and
focus on school. Nya Yeanafehn, 20, a ju-
nior and marketing major has decided to
work for the week and finish up projects
for classes.
“I felt I needed to get my priorities
straight and save some money to accom-
in this documentary.
“Tim and I met every week from April
to November, even over the summer, to
work on the film’s structure and post pro-
duction,” said Dr. McHugh. “We worked
on the editing, sound, and music for most
of the sequences in the movie. We would
try different approaches to the scenes and
then Tim would work on them and bring
them back the following week for addi-
tional discussion.”
According to Oakes, the film has great
timing because people are taking an inter-
est in the world of professional wrestling,
“It was a great experience working with
Tim on this project. He was extremely
dedicated to creating a professional docu-
mentary,” Professor Oakes said. “I was
able to advise him during the production
and also helped with the titles. I think he
has created an excellent documentary and
we are proud of his work.”
The film is currently entered in several
film festivals across the country.
If you would like to know more about
“Card Subject to Change”, visit the web-
site, www.cardsubjecttochange.com.
plish want I want to do,” says Yeanafehn.
“It’s a sacrifice, but it’ll pay off at the end.”
Another factor that could be affecting
plans is that students are aware of the
dangers in faraway locales. They cited the
stories in the news about kidnappings in
Cancun and the murders in Mexico.
One result is that more students are
“I want to spend a little
amount of money, but still
have a good time.”
finding other alternatives to enjoy them-
selves for spring break.
Valbona Pahumi, 22, a Senior who is
majoring in Broadcast Media, is spending
her spring break in Puerto Rico.
“I didn’t plan on going anywhere for
spring break until my friend told me we
can stay at their grandmother’s house,”
says Pahumi. “This is my first time going
somewhere for spring break and I’m ex-
cited to go.”
Elliot Fant, 25, a senior English major,
decided he wanted a change of pace from
the usual. He is going to Las Vegas with
his girlfriend.
“I decided to change the pace and go
to Vegas,” says Fant. “I want to go some-
where where there aren’t too many people
around and enjoy the strip in Vegas.”
Whatever students decide to do for
spring break, most said they will use their
time to take a break from notebooks and
exams.
REVIEW: “Card Subject to Change”
By D.J. Jean
“Card Subject to Change” is a film that
will take you into the looking glass of the
wonderland that is independent profes-
sional wrestling.
Kean University Media & Film student,
Tim Disbrow, directed this 94 min. feature-
length documentary film depicting the
side of professional wrestling people don’t
normally have a chance to see.. It delves
deep beneath the lights and glamour that
Photo: Courtesy of Iron River Films
A photo of a scene from the documentary, “Card
Subject to Change.”
people are familiar with and into the ex-
traordinary underground world of what is
independent professional wrestling.
The film follows a local wrestling pro-
moter, Johnny Falco, who went from
wanting to be a roller derby skater to the
business of professional wrestling. The
film also shows what it means to be a
struggling professional wrestler trying to
make it. Nothing is shielded in this docu-
mentary. Viewers see everything from the
hardcore-hitting, highflying action of the
industry, to bouts with drugs. There is
even a scene where the anabolic steroid
Winstrol is shown being injected.
The cast includes numerous notable
wrestling figures such as “Taskmaster”
Kevin Sullivan and local wrestling pro-
moter Johnny Falco.
The end resolves, and the audience does
find out what happens to individuals the
film primarily focuses on, in a seemingly
then and now fashion. This is essential,
as the viewer tends to feel emotionally in-
volved.
Overall the 94 min. feature-length docu-
mentary is a perfect storm of music, inter-
views, and footage, imagery, not to men-
tion, a bit of nostalgia. Disbrow’s piece is
truly brilliant, a must see for anyone with
even a passing interest in wrestling, or the
wrestling world.
SPRING BREAK by Dan Pata

• March 15 - Spring Recess Begins

Academic Calendar: •
•
March 22 - Classes Resume
April 2 – Good Friday – No classes
• Feb 17-March 31 – Lenten Mass every
Wednesday 12 PM in UC Room 226A