A new hour-long documentary on the Cincinnati Rollergirls, airing at 10 p.m. June 3 on CET, Cincinnati’s PBS affiliate, will show fans a side of the team they’ve never seen before.
The documentary was produced by a class in Xavier University’s electronic media program, led by assistant professor Blis Hanousek DeVault. Filmed in the early part of the team’s 2010 season, it features in-depth interviews with veteran skaters Trauma and Sk8 Crime (pictured), Sadistic Sadie, Sista Sacralicious and rookie skater Bombtrack, along with many other skaters and support staff.
Fans will be able to purchase copies of the documentary at a later date, and all proceeds will benefit Xavier’s electronic media program. Keep checking www.cincinnatirollergirls.com for more information on the DVD’s release.
Here’s the press release from Xavier University:
A class in Xavier’s electronic media program has produced a video documentary about the women who participate in the rough-and-tough world of local roller derby. The film, The Roller Derby Queens, airs at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, on CET (digital channel 48.1 or Time Warner Cable channel 13).
The film follows several veterans and one rookie skater of the Cincinnati Rollergirls team as they prepare for their first home game in the Cincinnati Gardens on March 27, 2010. It presents basic history of the Cincinnati Rollergirls team, how it evolved and how the sport is played. It focuses on the women as athletes, on their passion for the sport and on their friendships.
The goal of the class project was to produce a high-quality video documentary worthy of presentation to local and national audiences. Assistant Professor Blis Hanousek DeVault produced and directed the documentary. She and Stan Hedeen, chair of Xavier’s Department of Communications, were the executive producers. Caitlin Clair and Kelly Farrell, who graduated in 2010, and students Emily Dumont and Katharine Ryan served as assistant producers. Clair also served as editor and Farrell as assistant editor. Lamar “Reggie” Ford, Class of 2010, was director of photography and also handled graphics, animation and color correction. Class of 2011 graduate Kevin George managed location sound. And Ringo Jones, studio manager of Xavier’s TV Center, did the engineering.
“The 21st Century has seen a rise in popularity of the documentary,” DeVault said. “They are part of our historical and cultural landscape, and with technology becoming lighter and cheaper, more voices and stories are entering the conversation. Students learned the importance of story crafting and the research, skill and patience required to make a production of professional quality. The focus had to be on moving the story and entertaining the audience.”
Established in 2005, Cincinnati Rollergirls became a part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association in 2007 and in 2010 ranked fourth in the North Central League.