Maria Brenner

Student Award: "Remembering Bob" by Maria Brenner (University of Southern California)

live action, USA, 14:13 min., Director: Maria BrennerBased on a true story, a child's relationship with his pet pig ultimately forces him to choose between what he's been taught and what he feels is morally just.

Project Director: Maria BrennerContact Number: +1 213-389-7811

"Remembering Bob," a film by West Virginia native and graduate of West Virginia University, Maria Brenner, received the 2004 Genesis Student Award for her short film that tells the true story of a little boy named Clifford who grows up on a pig farm in the late 1960s and is forced to kill his pet pig.

Genesis Awards are bestowed by the Hollywood office of the Humane Society of the United States to members of the news and entertainment media for bringing attention to animal issues with courage, creativity, and integrity.This is the first Genesis Award to be given in the student category, which recognizes an outstanding contribution from the next generation of journalists and filmmakers.Brenner received her award at the star-studded Eighteenth Annual Genesis Awards gala in Los Angeles on March 20, 2004.

In addition to Brenner, all of the cast and crew for "Remembering Bob" are from Morgantown, Clarksburg and Parkersburg, WV, with the exception of producer Matt Flanzer and executive producer Connie Warren.
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Brenner graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1994, and received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Creative Writing from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1998.After taking a film appreciation class at WVU-Morgantown, Brenner decided upon the instructor's encouragement to intern at the local PBS station, WNPB-TV.Shortly thereafter, she left for California to attend the University of Southern California, where she received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television Production upon completion of "Remembering Bob."

According to Brenner, "This movie is about how we're taught as children to differentiate between the animals we kill as ‘food' and the animals we pamper as ‘pets.' I wanted to make this film to empower people to really examine the world around them and to think for themselves.There are so many behaviors in society that many of us just accept blindly.I'd like for people - if only for fourteen minutes - to stop and question what they've been taught."

Brenner graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1994, and received a Bachelor's of Science degree in Philosophy with a concentration in Creative Writing from West Virginia University in Morgantown in 1998.After taking a film appreciation class at WVU-Morgantown, Brenner decided upon the instructor's encouragement to intern at the local PBS station, WNPB-TV.Shortly thereafter, she left for California to attend the University of Southern California, where she received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television Production upon completion of "Remembering Bob."

According to Brenner, "This movie is about how we're taught as children to differentiate between the animals we kill as ‘food' and the animals we pamper as ‘pets.' I wanted to make this film to empower people to really examine the world around them and to think for themselves.There are so many behaviors in society that many of us just accept blindly.I'd like for people - if only for fourteen minutes - to stop and question what they've been taught."

This film will make its WV premiere at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park in Morgantown on Saturday June 19, 2004 at 9:00pm prior to a screening of Seabiscuit.The film's director, Maria Brenner, will give a brief introduction before the film begins.

OohMahNee also was the filming site for an award-winning film by Maria Brenner of West Virginia, who claimed a 2004 Genesis Student Award from the Humane Society of the United States.Filming of "Remembering Bob," which tells the story about a boy and pet pig, was partially done at the sanctuary in August 2002 while Brenner was a graduate student at the University of Southern California.

Maria Brenner (Director)

HSX.TV Journalist(interviewed Ben Affleck & Matt Damon) Hollywood stock exchange

A Toilet Story

In summation: I went to West Virginia where I produced a new short film project, written and directed by our producer/editor, Maria Brenner.It is called Remembering Bob It's a story about a boy, a pig, and a second chance at compassion.It was a fun production.We were on the local news, too.Upon my return, Maria and I dove into picture editing for The Dishwasher Principle in full force.
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Tomorrow, Maria and I will begin logging and capturing the footage to the production's new 120GB hard drive.I'll try to select a few frames to put up on the pages and begin working on a trailer as quickly as possible.Maria will begin the picture edit in its own-right, as Lesh and I both start working on the music for the film.We're a long way from finished!
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If you know anyone who will have him/her, contact Maria.
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Lesh and I met with Luke and Maria to continue our discussions.

Student Award: "Remembering Bob" by Maria Brenner, University of Southern California

Student Award: "Remembering Bob" by Maria Brenner, University of Southern California

Remembering Bob, a Film by Maria Brenner (August 2004).Vegetarians in Paradise/ Remembering Bob
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A film written, directed and produced by Maria Brenner

Videocassette $10DVD $15

Maria Brenner and BobWhen Maria Brenner embarked on her student filmmaking project, she made an appeal to animal lovers and vegetarians for contributions to help defray the costs of her production.At the time, we sent her a modest check and soon forgot about the project.

Our memory was rekindled when we heard that Brenner received the 2004 Genesis Award for Best Student Film for Remembering Bob, a 14-minute motion picture she wrote, directed, and produced as a requirement for her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

In the film she recreates the true story of Clifford, a young boy who grows up on a pig farm during the 1960's and forms a strong bond with a pig he calls Bob.Clifford faces the onerous task of shooting Bob when the pig reaches maturity and is destined for slaughter.

In his adult years he encounters another pig and is reminded of the unpleasant childhood incident.This second incident has a profound influence on his life.
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"I wanted to make this film to empower people to really examine the world around them and to think for themselves," says Brenner.
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Brenner proudly announced that all of the food served on the film set during the 10-day shooting was vegan, including what appeared to be ham and milk.The cast and crew ate heartily from food donated by vegan food manufacturers.

Remembering BobIn Remembering Bob, Maria Brenner has produced a sensitive film that is apropos for all ages.She has more character development in this almost one-quarter hour film than many mindless Hollywood movies have in two hours.The viewer senses that Clifford is a real person struggling with an ethical dilemma that people around him are ignoring.He makes no pronouncements about animal rights, but his actions clearly convey the theme of the film.

In the credits for the film Brenner gratefully acknowledged all those who contributed physically and financially.We were quite surprised to read our names in the credits.

The film was originally shot in Super16mm film and is now available in VHS videocassette and DVD formats.The VHS can be purchased for $10, and the DVD carries a price tag of $15.Both can be ordered by contacting Brenner at rememberingbob@yahoo.com