Don’t be surprised if there are some pretty obscure things going on around campus this week. You might see zombies crawling, high-speed chases, bandits and fugitives, people falling in love or people falling down stairs.

Today marks the first day of filming for 2007′s Campus Movie Fest. The project, which started in 2000 as a project at Emory University, gives teams of students a digital camera and an Apple laptop with movie-editing software to create a short film in one week’s time.

While most of the students who participate tend to be in film-related majors, anyone can sign up to make a movie.

According to Megan Solomon, public relations coordinator, participation is completely free. Today, students who signed up can pick up their equipment to make the film in the Tate Gallery. Then, they have one week to film, edit and finalize their movie.

There is a small catch – each year there is a different theme for groups to follow. This year the theme is “Discover,” Solomon said.

“We are able to (present this opportunity) completely free in large part because of Turner Broadcasting and Turner Classic Movies,” Solomon said. But the television stations aren’t only funding the filmmaking process. “At the grand finale (awards ceremony), TBS will present their Very Funny Award of $10,000 cash,” Solomon said.

TCM also has a new award, for the group that can best remake and/or re-image a scene from a classic movie. Other awards include gift certificates, Apple computers and iPods, DVD players, airfare from Delta Airlines and an opportunity to have the winning film showcased nationally.

Evan Padgett, who graduated last year from UGA with a degree in telecommunication arts, along with his team, “Poo Industries,” won first place in last year’s UGA ceremony.

“(Our film) was a zombie flick with a lot of special effects shots,” Padgett said. “We had like 40 extras. It was a big ordeal.”

Poo Industries’ film, “Dying Days,” will be showcased this February on PBS.

Although the prizes for winners of the project are quite impressive, the most common reason for participating in Campus Movie Fest has nothing to do with the success of a film.

“Making a film for CMF is the most fun I have had at college, and has made me want to pursue a career in film after college,” said Jay Sonnier, a junior who is also part of Poo Industries. “I look forward to it every year.”

Senior Scott Miller, an advertising major from Marietta, shares Sonnier’s sentiments.

“Last time we did it, we didn’t win or anything, but our movie was awesome, and had a lot a fun doing it, definitely,” Miller said. “We pretty much took over the SLC lobby and filmed a bunch of chase and fight scenes.”

While CMF anticipates several returning groups, they encourage new teams to come out and pick up a camera. Past Campus Movie Fest-ers have advice that rings true to the mission of Campus Movie Fest.

“Have a plan, know what you’re doing, but really just grab your friends and have fun with it, it doesn’t matter if you win anything, its always really fun to do and hopefully it’ll inspire some people to try out filmmaking in the future,” Miller said.