The feature films being screened in the Chiaroscuro Film Series are highlighting humor in countries around the world, but the short films preceding the main attractions are shining a light on local talent.

Three of the short films being shown during the film series include a feature on the construction of ArtPrize finalist “Metaphorest,” a story of a playwright who must choose between fame and his wife and an exploration of women across history who defy their gender roles. The series began Sunday and will continue through April 15.

The screenings kicked off with a short film by Grand Valley State University student Alyson Caillaud-Jones, “Venus Defiant,” which featured three women who tested the boundaries of their gender.

“The feedback from the audience was very favorable and all were excited about the rest of the series,” said Phil Worfel, the student services coordinator at Compass College of Cinematic Arts and member of the Chiaroscuro planning board.

The next film, which will screen on Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m., is “Absurdistan” which will be accompanied by a short film directed by Gretchen Vinnegde called “Metaphorest.” The feature film shows the creative process of converting a wall in downtown Grand Rapids into a mural for ArtPrize 2011 using time-lapse photography.

Vinnegde, who graduated in 2001 from GVSU with a degree in communications, said it was not an easy film to make.

“The photos were taken over the entire summer up until the mural was completed shortly before ArtPrize,” Vinnegde said. “I worked on the editing for about 40 hours getting the photos compressed and in the proper format and then working on the timing.”

Vinnegde said that this film is a testament to all the teamwork that goes into making movies.

“I think the most rewarding part is being able to show the audience what went into making that mural and how many people it took to put it all together,” Vinnegde said.

On the other end of the spectrum, “Neurotica”, a short film directed by Joshua Courtade that will screen during the series’ final showing in April, took only two days of actual filming.

“Even so, there were still several months of development and pre-production, and there were several months of post-production afterwards,” said Courtade, who graduated in 2003 from GVSU with a writing degree.

In Courtade’s case he was the writer, director, producer, editor and lead actor for his short film.

“Acting and directing involve very different thought processes, and it’s a challenge to juggle both,” he said. “Nevertheless, I’m pretty happy with the results in this case.”

This year’s series focuses on comedy around the world, and Courtade said he hopes his film proves that film can be funny, but also still have a message.

“I’m tired of people thinking that comedy is somehow a lesser genre than drama,” he said. “Most filmmakers and actors will readily concede that comedy is actually harder to make than a drama. And yet comedy is rarely recognized as art.”

Vinnegde said one key to success in the notoriously difficult film industry is to be open to experiences.

“Things don’t just fall in your lap,” she said. “You need to have vision and also be able to appreciate the vision of others.”

Courtade said he also agrees that there is no excuse for not learning your craft through experience.

“And make sure you have a good story,” Courtade said. “All the fancy lights and visual effects in the world can’t make up for a script that isn’t worth shooting in the first place.”

The films are free and open to the public.

ledtkeb@lanthorn.com