Okay. Springfield has this awesome independent film contest, SATO 48, Tons of college students (plus some independent film makers) from all around Springfield--MSU, Drury, Evangel, and more---come to hear the wacky "requirements" for a film that must be completely written, shot, and edited in 48 hours.

Here's my beef. This year when we got there (I'm not a film person, but I got invited by a guy I met at the zombie movie), the "requirements" for this year were as follows: Mention Liberty Bank in a positive way. Use two Liberty Bank bags as props. Display the Liberty Bank logo and make it part of your plot. 

Ooookay. My understanding of previous years was, "Incorporate a broom. Your script must have a theme of "rags to riches. Oh yeah, and use a brown coffee mug in there somewhere." Something zainy and artsy. But this....??? No way.

The artists have sold out to Liberty Bank, was all I could think. You guessed it---the bank sponsored the contest this year. So instead of saying "thanks, you're awesome," the artsy, art-can't-be-corrupted SATO 48 founders caved and, in my opinion, sold their souls. All 47 competing teams, instead of receiving an inspiration bag full of crazy and fun, wacky and weird props, got a bag full of Liberty Bank souveniers to use in the film. Now all 47 teams are currently hard at work, up all night, furiously writing, shooting, and editing---what? Art? No. Liberty Bank commercials.

So, go ahead, artists. I dare you. Fight to be the most creative, the most artsy, the most imaginative corporate pawn there ever was. Congratulations when you win. The founders of the film should be ashamed of themselves. And.... how much is a soul going for these days, anyway?