Newsmaker
Monday, June 23, 1997
Name: Robert Gelber
Age: 23
Education: Punahou School, New York University
Occupation: Filmmaker
Hobbies: Tennis, theater, reading
For Robert Gelber, storytelling can be achieved without words. Making dreams come true
As a student at New York University, Gelber made "Erosion," a surreal film about an imprisoned man who slips in and out of consciousness.
On June 8, the Punahou School graduate won a gold medal for the film at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 24th Annual Student Academy Awards competition in Beverly Hills. On the same day, "Erosion" was screened at the Cinema Arts Centre International Film Festival in New York. There the film was deemed best alternative picture, a category recognizing films that use experimental techniques.
"There was no dialogue," Gelber said of his eight-minute film. "It was very visual and I told the entire story through images."
Gelber's work is the culmination of a lifelong passion for film. While growing up, he said, he was astonished by the visual power of movies such as "Star Wars" and "The Last Emperor."
"When I was young, I was always going to the movies and I guess it just snowballed," he said.
Since graduating from New York University last year with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in film and television, Gelber has been developing scripts for an independent producer in New York.
And the success of "Erosion" has given Gelber new exposure. During his week in California for the awards, Gelber met members of the Directors Guild of America and the American Society of Cinematographers. His unconventional film style also caught the eye of some major film studios: Gelber said he has received interest from Disney, Miramax, and Spike Lee's film company, 40 Acres and a Mule.
While Gelber dreams of eventually directing his own feature film, he has no desire for it to be a mainstream picture.
Through his alternative filmmaking, Gelber said he is aiming to "break the mold."
Neal Iwamoto, Star-Bulletin
