People Of UCA: Jack Barr

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If you have the chance to make a difference in the world, would you take it?Clarksville, Arkansas native, Jack Barr is pursuing a career in film production where he is able to inspire others that are like him.

“I have always felt that I belonged to groups of alternative tastes, so if I can even reach that demographic or show people with different tastes where I'm coming from and they understand me, then that would simply be wonderful and fulfilling," Barr said.

Barr is a senior film production major with a creative writing minor. He started his journey in fall 2018 after deciding that UCA felt more like home. “Everyone was friendlier and down-to-Earth. There were actual programs better suited for my interests.”

With the COVID-19 restrictions, universities, much like UCA, have followed guidelines that would allow students to gather in small groups to complete projects. Small film crews are encouraged, and masked crew and actors must maintain a safe 10-12ft distance apart. Actors who are unmasked must be 6ft from both crew and fellow actors.

“It’s awful to work around,” Barr said. “I had an actor drop out of my production the other day due to this issue. Only I can check out the equipment and drop it off, there is no midweekend hand off to another crew. Everything is sanitized.”

Despite the restrictions, Barr continues to come up with ideas and write scripts. He credits his own inspiration from film directors such as John Carpenter, Wes Craven and Paul Thomas Anderson. The films created by them are mostly horror and chaotic, both things that Barr is eager to write about. “Horror movies and stories I read as a kid challenged me to think ‘what if’ for the ideas I have,” he said.

He also wants to write dramas, but has been experimenting with comedy. “I'm drafting for a production class that I have. It's about a day in the life of a girl who feels pathetic and tired of dealing with the malaise of modernity,” Barr said, explaining that his scripts are easy to think of, but difficult to make work.

“I just keep brainstorming until I find what works for the story and what fits to make it all connect,” Barr said. “So far it’s going well, I'm starting to develop my voice and accumulate the best of my influences.”