@tccthecollegian • collegian.tccd.edu
Film collaborative returns with ‘Landman’
Students get insight into film industry
FOUSIA ABDULLAHI editor-in-chief collegian.editor@tccd.edu
The Fort Worth Film Collaborative returns to NE Campus with an advanced screening of Episode 1 of the Paramount show “Landman” on Nov. 4. starting at 5 p.m.
The show, which stars Billy Bob Thornton, is set in the 1970 and focuses on oil rigging in West Texas.
Students and community members will have a chance to learn more about the growing film industry in Tarrant County and about TCC’s film collaborative certificate program.
The event will include a red carpet, Q&A and a panel discussion with industry professionals David Glasser, CEO and co-founder of
Horror Club offers Friday movie scares
ASH PETRIE campus editor ashleigh.petrie@my.tccd.edu
The moon illuminated students’ faces as they descended to a chamber hidden beneath the library for their sinister gathering to discuss morbid tales of past and present.
South Campus’ Horror Club is not for the faint of heart, but if one dared to join them during a Friday night fright they’d be greeted by Hannah Paden with a smile and popcorn.
“Face those fears and watch a horror movie, dang it,” Paden said.
She is president of the club and works alongside officers Luke Armendarez and Jay Anderson. Every Friday, they meet and transform the Writing Center into a theater dedicated strictly to horror movies.
The club chooses a theme for each week’s double feature, and members can make recommendations as to which films are shown.
Dedicated member Daniel Green will hang around South until 5:30 p.m. when the club meeting commences. He has been a part of the group since its beginning in 2022.
“Getting scared is the best part of Horror Club,” Green said.
Before starting any frightful film, the officers provide a brief warning of its content. They strive for their members to feel safe when watching scary movies and have guidelines listed that must be followed.
See Horror Club, Page 3
Campus
101 Studios, other studio executives and TCC students who graduated from the film collaborative program.
Instructor Sean Fousheé who is the coordinator of the program said it has grown from 10 graduates to over 200 enrollments with a 100% job placement rate for graduates.
For those interested, there will be a mobile registration center for class registration at the event.
After the screening, students
Beth Hutson and Daniel Vazquez will join 101 Studio’s John Hermansen to discuss their experience in the program and the film industry.
Recently, Hutson, Vasquez, Fousheé and Director Taylor Sheridan testified at a Texas Senate Finance Committee hearing about the need for more funding to grow the Texas film industry.
The hearing was also attended by actor Dennis Quaid, real estate developer Ross Perot Jr. and several others related to the Texas film industry.
Fousheé said that to use state funding from the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program,
at least 50% of the members working on productions must be Texan.
“We’re trying to fill that specific demand, we’re trying to get as many people trained up as we possibly can,” Fousheé said. “Just to give you an idea, Taylor Sheridan,
just on his productions alone, needs
2,500 people to work on his sets.”
Last year, the state gave $200 million in funding to bring more shows and films to Texas. This year, the stakeholders asked them to increase that funding to keep Texas
competitive with New Mexico and Oklahoma.
“This money is not going to Hollywood, and I think that’s a lot of the misconception is that $200 million are being paid out by Texas taxpayers, and it’s just going straight back to California,” Fousheé said. “That’s not it. It stays locally. These are local dollars.” Hutson, who owned an advertising agency for 20 years, was a publicist and creative director before she joined the film collaborative certificate program. She has always seen herself working on a Hollywood set.
“My professors were so great,” Hutson said. “The students you know have become like friends in a community. We just support each other, and opportunities started becoming available.”
After completing her certification, Hutson’s first official project was for Nickelodeon, working in the art department on the Kids Choice Awards promos. She also worked on a series of promo pieces and interviews for “Lioness” Season 2.
See Film, Page 2
Instructors bewitched by Salem’s rich culture
ASH PETRIE campus editor ashleigh.petrie@my.tccd.edu
Spellbound by the history of Salem, Massachusetts, four SE Campus instructors set off on an enchanted quest to explore the magical town that left them more bewitched by its story than ever before.
Yvonne Jocks, Leigh Anne Bramlette, Madison Durapau and Stephanie Hawkins sat in a circle when debating the different theories of the Salem Witch Trials in the late 17th century. Back and forth their conversation went, each possessing a unique expertise on the topic.
“I actually am a witch, a practicing Wiccan,” Jocks said.
She met the other instructors in 2019 during a trip to York, England. Prior to the pandemic, a program called Faculty Abroad funded their visit. This was when Jocks captivated the other instructors on the topic of witch hunts.
“I kept trying to figure out the reasoning behind all of it,” Durapau said defeatedly. “It’s something that does not make sense.”
Club
Friday Night Movie Marathon starting with their favorite “Scream.”
Durapau is mesmerized by all things
spooky, but she discovered Salem’s dark story is too grueling for reason. She and Bramlette enjoyed digging into the psychological aspect of the history, but Hawkins stepped in as they became more exasperated in their discussion.
Before the great witch hunts, it was relatively safe to be a witch throughout Europe.
Yvonne Jocks South Campus instructor
“What you’re doing is using logic,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins was the historian of the group. Each time a new part of the story was brought up, she would interject conversation with historical documents supporting what the other instructors
would say.
But, as Hawkins noted, there was no logic to the witch hunts.
The four women discussed the fact that the craze began after the printing press was invented, and King James Bible was published, allowing people to read the text for the first time.
“All of a sudden, the church is now having to fight these people interpreting the Bible on their own rather than [being] told how to,” Durapau said.
Protestants allowed for followers to read the Bible while the Catholics didn’t. The rivalry between the two had already fueled conflict, but this established a religious war.
“The second best-selling book after the Bible was a witch-hunting manual,” Jocks said.
“Daemonologie”, written by King James prior to taking the throne, actualized witchcraft and claimed it to be evil. The book manifested a fear of what couldn’t be understood and became a term used to accuse people who were different.
“Before the great witch hunts, it was relatively safe to be a witch throughout Europe,” Jocks said.
See Salem, Page 3
Alex Hoben/The Collegian
Antonio Reynolds/The Collegian
NE RTVF students preview equipment and techniques that are taught in the Fort Worth FIlm Collaborative certificate program
South
Horror
sets up for the
Photos courtesy of Madison Durapau
South Campus instructor Yvonne Jocks touches the gravestone of John Willard, who married into her family and was accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts.
Breast cancer event teaches early detection
Attendees learn how to check for warning signs
REBECCA CHAMPLIN
campus editor
rebecca.champlin@my.tccd.edu
Students and staff gathered Friday on the NE Agora Patio for the “Detect to Protect” breast cancer awareness event.
Upon arrival, students were greeted by pink ballons. Various stations were set up for students to paint pumpkins, make bracelets, learn how to detect lumps and to eat pizza, popcorn and cupcakes.
Administrative Assistant for Student Activities Orilesha Bowles works closely with the counseling center and Health and Human services. She said they worked together to collaborate on the event.
“I love the cause, I love supporting breast cancer and getting awareness out,” Bowles said. “Plus, pink is my favorite color, so I feel right at home with pink.”
NE counselor Masika Smith helped with the collaboration.
“TCC wanted to bring these services together so when students are seeking help, they know they can go to the Well Being Center and have a holistic approach,” she said.
NE nurse Nyemade Gilmore ran a station that allowed students to feel what a breast lump feels like.
You’re not alone, and a lot of people have gone through it so there’s a lot of support systems built around it,
Joshua Timmins student employee
“Students watch a demonstration to learn how to do a self-check and then they get a shower card with information about detecting lumps, plus a t-shirt,” she said.
Students Maya Green, Fatima Hernadez and Sofia Hernandez signed up to volunteer at the event.
“I think it’s so important to understand in case you need to support someone with it,” Hernandez said.
Green and the Hernandez sisters showed concern over the possibility of developing breast cancer during their lifetime.
“I feel like that’s something everyone worries about, but I’m hoping that it doesn’t,” Green said. “If it did, I think this event will
GOSSIP SESSION
and
to help teach how to detect cancer
help me be prepared to know what to do.”
Administrative Assistant for Student Development Amy Edgell ran the popcorn machine and talked about things people may not be aware of concerning breast cancer.
“I think what a lot of people don’t realize is men can get breast cancer too,” Edgell said.
The volunteers at the event said it is important to detect early and to do self-checks at home.
“The sooner you know, the best chances you have of getting the assistance and medical care you need to be able to survive,” Bowles said.
Student Joshua Timmons works in the advising department and came out to learn
Salem
(continued from page 1)
The rise of capitalism in England followed shortly after, changing women’s role in society. Instead of working outside of the home, women were expected to have and raise multiple children for the new world.
“[Women] healers were vital to their communities,” Durapau said. “But that was not the case for the Salem Witch Trials.”
During a cold February in 1692, almost 40 years after the worst period of witch hunts carried out in England, the Salem Witch Trials began.
Samuel Paris, Salem’s minister, called upon a doctor when his daughter and niece began acting abnormally. It was reported they would stare off absent-mindedly or go into aggressive fits and make loud animal-like noises.
“When [the doctor] could not come up with a diagnosis, there was no answer other than witchcraft,” Hawkins said.
Tituba, an indigenous Native enslaved to the minister, was accused of using Bahamian folk-magic on the young girls and blamed for their outlandish behavior. Hawkins said this claim has since been disputed because descriptions of the magic used were English folk-magic, not Bahamian.
The young girls never claimed to be bewitched until the adults began asking them who had bewitched them, according to the instructors’ research.
“They were not the adults in the room,” Jocks said.
A copy of Cotton Mather’s book “Wonders of the Invisible World” was found in Paris’ home. This book tells a story of a family who had been bewitched in gruesome detail.
“Cotton Mather’s sources of witchcraft sound like something out of ‘The Ring,’” Hawkins said. “Jaws snapping, bones dislocating, it’s so detailed.”
The women said they believe during the long winter in Salem, Tituba read this story to the young girls, and it’s what influenced
Film (continued from page 1)
Vasquez, a former minor league baseball assistant general manager, moved from Los Angeles to Texas to get his certification. Like Hutson, he also worked on the Paramount Plus production of “Lioness” Season 2. He said the mixture of education and practical hands-on experience makes this program different.
more about breast cancer. He said he wants students to know there are people available to support and help them through the process.
“You’re not alone, and a lot of people have gone through it so there’s a lot of support systems built around it,” Timmons said. “Plus, there’s lot of resources so don’t be afraid to reach out, even if you’re not directly affected by it.”
Smith said the Well Being Center offers up to six free counseling sessions for students.
If you or someone that you know has breast cancer, reach out to Health and Human Resources for support.
them to act out. Being a child in Puritan society meant they must listen and obey, and the instructors believed this was a way for them to get attention.
Either way, this event launched an accusation frenzy. Many people followed suit claiming others in the community had bewitched them, and after a year of Salem’s witch hunt 19 people were sentenced to death.
“None of the people who were executed in Salem were witches,” Jocks said. Bridget Bishop, the first women executed, stood out from the rest of the community in Salem. She wore colorful clothing and owned a tavern, both of which were frowned upon.
“Marginalized people, the outcasts, they stood out and were executed,” Hawkins said. “When I think about the witch trials, I still see aspects of it, of people who have a hard time around those who are different.”
Their trip to Salem did not provide them with the answers they wanted, but rather it shed light onto the sinister past they knew of the town.
“It fascinates me, how they were othered in every way during their lives but now the town itself has made them, not a caricature, but a message of inclusion,” Bramlette said.
Salem has claimed witch and empowered the term. The instructors agreed the trip allowed them to expand beyond the dark witch hunt story and speak upon the town’s underlining message to be different.
“Salem has become this mecca for modern-day witches and Wiccans,” Jocks said. “The people who died were not witches, but they’re still ours.”
The four spoke for hours about the trials in Salem, down rabbit holes they went describing all their different theories but always circling back to the main point.
“Embrace being different, it’s great to be different,” Hawkins said. “You don’t need to fit in. You don’t need to conform.”
Vasquez worked as a talent and location scout and was able to combine the skills he had acquired from his baseball team managing days and his new certification knowledge.
“I would say that it’s definitely worth it for the being part of the network,” Vasquez said. “The network itself is I feel like the most valuable part of it, being in tune with the opportunities.”
Joan Pham/The Collegian
Student development associate Austin McCabe takes a selfie with different members of TCC health services
other NE
Campus community members after the Detect to Protect event. The event was
early.
Horror club
(continued from page 1)
“One of the big things we like to do here is have discussion after we watch the movies,” Armendarez said. “So be openminded to other people’s opinions and just be respectful.”
During their black-and-white movie night, the 1931 rendition of “Frankenstein” was shown. While members laughed at some of the outdated scenes, the analysis afterward gave insight to the importance of the film.
Armendarez and Paden began by explaining how “Frankenstein” was foundational to the horror genre and started the path for future spooky stories to be created.
But as the conversation developed, members began to contemplate how long a person created from stitched-together human remains could last before decomposing.
“I’ve never really been a horror movie person, actually,” said newcomer A’jahn Kimble. “But [I’ve] met some cool people and socialized a bit.”
Kimble stumbled upon the club’s poster while in the Writing Center for class and decided to come back for the M. Night Shyamalan feature that week.
Since then, he has come to every Friday movie night.
“Never give away the ending or spoil anything from a movie,” Armendarez said. Since the club has new members like Kimble, who aren’t as knowledgeable about scary movies as others in the club, Armendarez and Paden made this a very important rule.
“Even though [some] of these movies are, like, older than all of us, don’t spoil anything,” Paden said.
On Oct. 25, the Horror Club hosted a movie marathon to showcase members’ favorite films. First on the list was “Scream,” which almost everyone agreed was on their top five favorites list.
The club sat in the room decorated with spider webs, skeletons and ghoulish figures until late in the evening, watching eerie movies with pizza in hand.
“It’s a great place to make good friends,” Paden said. “Make good memories and watch scary stuff.”
CAMPUS EVENTS
Southeast
celebration inside the Pavillion, Building SE07. All Day
Nov. 5 Celebration of the Piano Showcasing piano students as they perform various pieces throughout music history in Recital Hall, Building SREC.
Trinity River
Nov. 6
History of Fort Worth through Cemetaries
Learn how cemeteries have shaped the city’s history in the Energy Auditorium, Room 4008.
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m
Q: “What are the best and worst Halloween candies?”
Daniel Jones NE Campus
“My favorite is probably candy corn, it’s just sweet and nothing else. My least favorite is Butterfinger. It just doesn’t taste good. I like the chocolate enough, I just don’t like the texture.”
Bristin Ladwig TR Campus
“I like dark chocolate Milky Ways, they are superior. My least favorite would have to be Reese’s Pieces. They are really dry in my opinion.”
Rejina Dhamala NW Campus
“I just moved here, so we [haven’t] really got the chance to celebrate Halloween, but this time I’m planning to celebrate it. I’m more excited to dress up and decorate the house but about the candy, I don’t know.”
Daniel Icgun SE Campus
“Controversial topic, I don’t like Kit Kats. The best, Snickers. You can’t go wrong with it.”
DISTRICT CRIME LOG
Oct. 20
Use or possession of fraudulent identification on TR Campus.
Oct. 21
The possession or purchase of an e-cigarette by a minor was reported on NW Campus.
The possession of a Group 2 controlled substance, a form of hallucinogen, was reported on NW Campus.
Oct. 23
An offensive or provocative assault was reported on South Campus High School.
Possession of less than 28g of a penalty Group 3 controlled substance, an opioid, opiate or stimulant, was reported on NW Campus.
Esteban Sordo NW Campus
“The best Halloween candy growing up for me was the Midnight Milky Way, the dark chocolate version. Just because the normal one was a little too sweet for me. In terms of the worst, it was those popcorn balls that they’d give out. I’d always thought they were too tough, and they weren’t great.”
Tyler Hudson SE Campus
“Worst candy, 100% Musketeers. I don’t get how people can eat them. Best candy, either candy corn or Sour Patch Kids.”
“My absolute favorite are
Jay Anderson South Campus
“Favorite would be anything Air Heads, like the XTremes, the bites, Jolly Ranchers, or Lemonheads. Any one of those. And either Tootsie Rolls or candy corn, probably both of them are the wor st.”
Oct. 24
Stalking report made on South Campus that occurred between August 20th to Oct. 24th.
A Class C assault, either a threat of bodily harm or offensive contact made with someone, was reported on SE Campus. Stalking report was made on NE Campus that occurred between Oct. 20th to 24th. A report of disorderly conduct MC, abusive, indecent, profane or vulgar language in a public space, was made on SE Campus.
Jakob Brown TR Campus
those fruit slices that are called Grandma Candies, how rude. They are like candy orange slices but have different flavors to them. My least favorite is dark chocolate.”
Millenials need affordable housing options
Younger generations of Americans are struggling to find affordable housing compared to their parents and grandparents.
Whether looking for a rental or trying to buy a house, they face huge financial hurdles.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness in America found a 23% increase in homelessness for the first time in 2019-2023. In Texas, 27,377 experienced homelessness in 2023.
The American Dream is fading for many, and the increasing cost of rent puts low-income families even further behind, often forcing them to choose between their basic needs to make ends meet.
The U.S. mortgage rate has increased to 6.54% for a 30-year fixed rate. This is the fourth week in a row that the rates have increased.
A combination of high interest rates and the increase in the cost of living have some believing that they can never meet the adulting milestones their parents did.
A University of Houston and Texas Southern University Trends Survey found that 54% of Texans think there should be more affordable housing for low-income Texans.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released a study on the state’s housing affordability.
“Simply put, our state, which is generally well regarded for its low cost of living, is facing the pressures of a decline in housing affordability as our population and demand for housing continue to rise,” he said.
For TCC students, renters are
VIEWPOINTS
paying around $1,020 near South Campus and up to $1,750 near NW Campus for a one-bedroom apartment, according to the Tarrant County housing small area fair market rent sheet, with the other campuses being within the median rate. These issues are also causing more and more young Americans to move back home to live with their parents so they can save up for their own homes. This has caused
CHEYENNE SHAWN campus editor collegian.editor@tccd.edu
Halloween brings excitement as it approaches. Ancient festivals and rituals honoring the dead are now fun celebrations marked by costumes and candy.
Over the years, it has morphed into a celebration highlighting candy, costumes and consumerism.
It’s hard to ignore how commercial interests have taken the lead. Has this taken away from the spirit of enjoying the holiday with family and friends?
It’s a mixture of both. At times, it seems as if the holidays have become more about profit than about community and traditions. Many festive occasions prioritize spending over connections, reducing the cheer of these traditions to mere shopping experiences.
The modern world has shifted its focus from the essence of Halloween as well as the other holidays making it more commercialized with how they can make money.
Money is always an incentive for people to take advantage of something.
Stores begin stocking shelves with merchandise as early as late August. The number of options for costumes and themed decor can be overwhelming, especially with it being overpriced. People nowadays don’t necessarily have extra money they can spend on things like this.
There are even pop-up stores that only sell items related to that holiday season. The quality of these items are often cheaply made leading to plenty of products being discarded after the season, contributing to waste. Many are designed to be what’s trendy or themed for that year, tempting people to buy new stuff regularly.
and renters cannot keep up with the prices. More Texans can benefit from housing and rent stability by expanding affordable housing programs. Most housing issues are a result of financial problems, so increasing income for people will prevent them from experiencing homelessness and will allow the younger generation to better afford housing. They can possibly find jobs in other states as opposed to being stuck at home because they cannot afford to live on their own.
We should better utilize income support programs to help lowincome families afford housing and help younger generations.
This requires creating a system that works together.
Programs like Section 8 housing and even stipulations when developers are building new subdivisions or apartment complexes that make sure they have a designated number of units just for low-income renters make housing more affordable.
a multi-generational home, which leads to multigenerational problems.
While some cultures normally live in these dynamics, the growing need to do so for survival and not for cultural beliefs is a cause for concern.
Driving around Tarrant County, the growing homelessness problem is easy to spot, especially next to boarded-up businesses and highway
Retailers capitalize off the excitement by promoting mass-produced costumes, leaving little room for individual creativity. Most of the time the costumes are what’s popular that year. The top costumes of this year are the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader outfits that are almost identical to the official ones they wear during games.
Families and friends find joy in wearing costumes and partaking in the festive activities. Halloween brings out creativity, community and tradition. This helps with making lifelong memories.
The community aspect of holidays is what makes our bonds stronger today, allowing us to overlook consumerism.
Trick or treating, themed parties and DIY costumes can help keep the sense of togetherness. Pumpkin patches and haunted houses might cost money, but superficial buy-ins still manage to keep the lore and magic alive.
All October long, people can display their quirky side without judgment by picking and dressing like their chosen characters. At times, costumes can become expensive with all the accessories added, causing stress. The fun and creativity that comes from crafting the perfect costume can often outweigh the cost.
When individuals assemble to create experiences focused on sharing, supporting and celebrating Halloween, it becomes an enchanting occasion instead of a consumer holiday. This can also be said about Thanksgiving and Christmas.
While commercialization can have its benefits, it often distracts from the deeper meaning of these holidays. By prioritizing experiences over material goods, families can find plenty of creative ways to cut costs while still being able to enjoy the festivities.
It might overshadow the true meaning of Halloween and other holidays, but the spirit remains alive by connecting with others and showing creativity. The nature of the holidays can still thrive without buying into commercial pressures.
The magic of Halloween isn’t only in decorations, costumes and candy, but in the joy of memories filled with laughter, friendship and genuine delight.
underpasses. While making more homeless shelters to house people is an immediate emergency fix, there needs to be better solutions for the long term.
Increasing income and investing in education can prevent homelessness and improve housing affordability. More affordable rentals should be created. Luxury apartments are popping up across the metroplex,
We should also create laws banning corporations and foreign entities from buying homes here for tax or citizenship purposes and creating a housing crisis by buying houses and leaving them empty. These groups bring up the cost of homes in the area for everyone else. Another way to help younger people afford homes is through student loan forgiveness. These big loans make it hard to save for a down payment or rent. By creating a multisystem housing plan, more Texans will benefit from housing and rent stability.
Two-way conversations fuel political respect, empathy
HARPER
editor
When navigating the divisive sea of modern politics, healthy conversation with the opposite side is crucial in gaining political perspective and literacy.
The term “echo chamber” describes the same ideas bouncing around a community, amplifying their beliefs despite reason or rebuttal.
When someone consumes information that only aligns with their current opinions, they risk tunnel vision and a closed mind.
This is prevalent and dangerous in radical organizations, where extreme ideals circulate until it becomes second nature.
Perpetuated by social media, online algorithms have created worldwide echo chambers that recommend content correlating with computer-determined interests.
For example, someone who likes one right-leaning Instagram post is now bombarded with YouTube Shorts, TikToks and Facebook posts appealing to that viewpoint.
This pattern is dangerous because the recommended posts are usually posts with higher traffic.
Controversial, violent and extreme content accumulates more views and shares, and unless flagged as violating the platform’s user agreements, is circulated to those the algorithm deems the right audience.
It’s a continuous cycle that creates hatred from social attention and prevents political growth.
This doesn’t mean submission is the solution. Healthy communication also serves as a powerful tool when defending an argument.
Challenging someone’s opinion is much more effective when the argument is educated and controlled.
Some quickly discredit another’s intelligence or self-worth because of where they stand on the political spectrum, without hearing their ideas first.
However, persuasion requires connecting with a person and discovering the deeper reason behind their initial opinion. People are traditionally more receptive to empathy than being belittled.
Many oppose hearing another perspective for fear of being wrong. Humans hate being wrong. It hurts our pride and may stem from an evolutionary instinct that equates being wrong or making a mistake as fatal.
Our political choices are reflected in much of our lives, including relationships, spiritual beliefs and lifestyle habits.
As adults, there’s control over how and with whom time is spent. The argument is not that we have to befriend everyone.
Realistically, someone’s political views reflect their character and shape their behaviors. We see this, especially on far left and right sides, when someone’s identity and sexual preference come into question.
However, when adults cannot maturely communicate with those they disagree with, it reflects poorly on their party and their argument.
Aside from strengthening your own perspective,
Violence and extremism form when someone believes their opinion is the only right opinion and those opposed deserve harm or death.
The need for healthy communication has become abundantly clear with televised debates and politically driven interviews on social media.
These discussions are no longer about (or maybe they never have been) understanding but about belittling the other side, and making them, not their ideas, look stupid.
TJ Favela/The Collegian
Orchestra concert brings families together
Parents create new tradition of playing music
FRED NGUYEN
campus editor collegian.editor@tccd.edu
The Tarrant County Orchestra Halloween concert was a family affair.
Sean Ashrafian and his wife, Phuong, sat in the audience to see five of their six children perform in “Harry Potter vs. Sweeney Todd” on NE Campus on Oct. 27.
It has become a family tradition for the Ashrafian children to take music lessons and eventually join the orchestra at TCC. Sean Ashrafian said he took free violin lessons as a child but didn’t have the family support to pay for them.
It was my dream to always play voilin. And I’m living my dream through my kids.
Sean Ashrafian Parent of Orchestra member
“I always wanted to play an instrument, and I couldn’t afford it,” he said. “It was my dream to always play violin. And I’m living my dream through my kids. And lucky for me, they all picked it up, and they’re doing it.” Keller High School sophomore and bassist Armin Ashrafian said the experience of playing in an orchestra with many of his siblings was good for his musical education.
MOVIE REVIEW
‘Smile’
“It’s scary when you’re by yourself,” he said. “And since we all know each other, we can go through it, even in tough times. If the music is hard, we can all help each other out.”
The Ashrafians were not the only people who attended the concert to support family members.
Tamara Maya was at the concert to be there for her two sons, Gabriel and Ezekiel, who were performing. Maya said she is glad her sons are so passionate about music.
“The orchestra makes them focus on something other than, I guess you could say, cars and girls,” she said. “Life without ambition is pointless, so it’s really important to have [my] sons join the orchestra or get into music, because it gives them ambition.”
NE student Connor Merritt is part of the music department and brought their family and friends to the concert.
“I know a lot of people in the orchestra, and I think they did really good,” Merritt said.
NE student and trumpet player Sean Chavez has been a part of the orchestra since his first year at TCC. Chavez wanted to join the jazz ensemble but changed his direction when he discovered TCC had an orchestra.
He said the most rewarding part of being in the orchestra is how he can put a smile on people’s faces.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Chavez said.
“If I make one person’s day better, if any of [the orchestra members] make one person’s day better, then that’s enough for us. That’s the whole reason we do all of this.”
The Tarrant County Orchestra’s next concert will be a holiday concert on Dec. 9 at Hurst Conference Center. The concert will feature the entire NE music department, including the choir, symphony and big band.
In the meantime, Sean Ashrafian will sit behind the drums and play music with his children in the music room in their home.
“They’re my musicians, and I love it,” he said. “When I sit back there, I enjoy it. It’s the best prize in the world.”
sequel continues another boring horror cliches
REVIEW
FRED NGUYEN campus editor collegian.editor@tccd.edu
Parker Finn’s psychological horror “Smile 2” improved on its predecessor through its characters and performances but doesn’t improve the story.
The sequel is set a week after the events of “Smile” (2022) and follows the pop star Skye Riley’s (Naomi Scott) return to the spotlight after a one-year hiatus caused by a car accident that killed her boyfriend and left her with chronic pain.
To be in top shape to perform for her fans, Riley needs pain medication that no doctor would prescribe her due to her history with substance abuse.
Riley goes to drug dealer Lewis Fregoli’s (Lukas Gage) apartment to buy Vicodin and witnesses his strange behavior that ended in Fregoli killing himself right in front of her. The Smile Entity’s curse is passed to her, and she spends the rest of the film trying to break the curse.
The film’s strongest aspect is in Scott’s standout performance as the erratic Riley. She finally unlocks her full potential in the intensity and complexity of Riley’s psyche as an almost Lady-Gaga-like figure fighting her own inner disgust for the music business for fame and success.
The film’s first half was a thrilling ride of beautiful aerial shots of New York City and quick camera zooms. Finn’s directing has matured in his second feature but still showed motifs of upside-down shots and Dutch an-
gles that furthered the uneasy atmosphere of the film. The second half is when the film overstays its welcome. The jump-scares scored by dissonant, unsettling string instruments lose their edge by the hour-and-a-half mark. While it is one of the better examples of this style of horror in recent memory, it would have worked better if the film didn’t use this so often.
These were all problems found in the first film, but they weren’t as obvious since it had the element of surprise on their side, especially about the Smile Entity’s form.
Returning fans already knew about the Smile Entity’s form but the film had to show the creature for new viewers.
However, in the sequel, it just looked underwhelmingly like a Thanksgiving ham you would see in a commercial.
What made “Smile” good was its originality and sense of mystery regarding what was causing the bizarre events surrounding the ones cursed by the Smile Entity. A lot of the film was spent exploring lore and the final encounter advanced the lore while opening doors for sequels.
Yet the sequel didn’t actually do anything new for the story.
“Smile 2” felt too much like a rehash of the first film with a prettier setting. If this were the first film, it would have been a stronger start to the franchise thanks to Scott’s performance. But as a sequel, it didn’t do anything.
Night of screams, where fun meets frightening
CHEYENNE SHAWN campus editor cheyenne.shawn@my.tccd.edu
Cutting Edge, known as one of the best haunted houses in the nation, brings a thrilling walk-through adventure in an old, abandoned meatpacking plant.
Located near downtown Fort Worth, this haunted house can be described as intense, multistory and multithemed.
This attraction combines playful, interactive elements, different themes with human mannequins and a spooky atmosphere. It takes visitors an average of 55 minutes to explore. On a Thursday night, the wait times between getting a ticket and standing in line weren’t as long as they would be on weekends.
As visitors step through the entrance that resembles a giant skeleton head, they’re immediately transported into a world where every corner hides a potential scare. Anima-
tronics leap to life, each room is meticulously designed to engage in scenes with haunting music, visual and sound effects surround guests with an unforgettable experience.
Safety was a top priority with strict guidelines about not allowing a purse or bag, and the last person in the group was asked to wear a glowstick. Throughout the attraction, mini breaks helped control the amount of people walking through the house. While entertaining, the ticket prices are a little high. For families or groups that want to plan a night out, the cost can add up quickly, raising the question if it’s worth it.
For safety reasons, it’s recommended to pay an additional price for parking available nearby. The warehouse building is located off I-35 and in an area that some people would say ‘bring a friend’. It’s worth it. Cutting Edge provides high quality production and attention to detail in their staging.
Many areas in this haunted house combine artistry, technology and creativity.
They did a good job with having a collection of props, but some areas lacked real actors. In some areas, the absence of human factors made it less thrill-seeking. The props were set up in places where if a real actor was there, it could’ve been a good jump scare.
The crowd around seemed to enjoy their experiences. Guests brought their own emotions that included screams, chatter and some laughter.
Cutting Edge delivered thrills and entertainment. Ticket pricing may be an issue, but the whole experience justifies the cost.
Whether new or not to exploring haunted houses, this one sends visitors through a good time with top-notch scares.
Cheyenne Shawn/The Collegian
Cutting Edge Haunted House is open until Nov. 2 in downtown Fort Worth.
NE orchestra members Ariyan, Ava and Ayda Ashrafian participate in the orchestra concert’s costume competition. Other members preform pieces from “Sweeny Todd” by Stephen Sondheim.
Photos Courtesy of EPK.TV
Naomi Scott stars in Paramount Pictures Film ‘SMILE 2’ Naomi Scott as Skye Riley looks fearfully behind her after seeing a figure in the mirror
Photos by Kailey Raley/The Collegian
From past to present time,
traditions still shine
ALEX HOBEN digital editor alexandra.hoben@my.tccd.edu
Halloween has a long and winding history that has spanned across centuries and the world. The traditional costumes, pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating all have connections to ancient Celtic and Christian practices that we still carry on to this day.
What is called Halloween now started 2000 years ago in Ireland in the ancient Celtic new year tradition of Samhain. The night between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 was believed to be the time where the veil between the living realm and the dead was the thinnest, so people would dress themselves as monsters and spirits so that they would not be found by the spirits who came back from the dead. Samhain is also celebrated with feasts and bonfires, signaling the transition from the end of the harvest to the cold and dark winter season.
There are many theories as to where and when trick-or-treating started. From British “belsnickling” tricks, to Celtics dressing as spirits in exchange for food, or even to exchanging a soul cake on All Souls Day with a beggar for prayers for your soul, giving food has always been an aspect of Halloween. Trick-or-treating became popular after the World War II, when candy became more readily available. According to the National Retail Federation, it is estimated that $3.5 billion will be spent on candy in 2024, with $11.6 billion being spent in total for Halloween.
According to Brittanica in the seventh century, after the Celts had been conquered by the Romans, Pope Boniface IV established “All Souls Day” on Nov. 1. It is believed that this was a way to change the pagan holiday Samhain into a Christian one. Because of the holiday, the night before it was known to be a “holy” or “hallowed” night, this is where the name Halloween came to be.
tHE grEAt. . turNip?
Did you know carving jack-o’-lanterns didn’t start with pumpkins? According to the tradition started in Ireland where people would carve scary faces into turnips instead to keep on their front porch. It was believed that these terrifying turnips would scare off any would-be trouble-making spirits and protect the family inside. Jack-o’-lanterns get their namesake from the Irish folktale “Stingy Jack,” where a trickster fools the Devil two times and after he dies, he is sent to wander the world with nothing but a lit coal in a turnip. When an influx Irish immigrants came to the United States in the late 19th century, they brought the tradition and mixed it with the autumn pumpkin carving to make the jack-o’lanterns of today.
Illustrations
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