ABOUT THE PROJECT

LOGLINE
For twenty-eight years, the Virginia Pep Band was loved by students, begrudgingly supported by administrators, and reviled by some alumni. Sports, humor, and culture collided, resulting in the Band’s demise.

SYNOPSIS
On a crisp fall day in 1980, the University of Virginia Pep Band, also known as “The Award-Winning University of Virginia Fighting Cavalier, Indoor/Outdoor, Precision? Marching Pep Band and Chowder Society-Revue, Unlimited!” entered the field during the game between UVA and Rutgers. The announcer interrupted the halftime performance with the following

We regret to inform you that the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights could not be here this afternoon. We understand that complications arose on their way to Charlottesville. Upon crossing the Jersey state line, half of the band applied for political asylum. The other half died from overexposure to clean air. The band now forms the New Jersey state trademark.

The band formed a pipe with smoke coming out of it and played “This Land is Your Land.”

For twenty-eight years, this was the band that entertained the UVA halftime crowd. From jabs at other teams, to political commentary, to criticism of various cafeterias on the grounds of the university, the Pep Band’s goal was to entertain and address current events around Charlottesville, the nation, and throughout the world.

In 1977, the band ran into its first major controversy after offending the acting governor of Maryland. Adversity continued to follow the band until 2003 when it was permanently barred from all university events. This documentary will tell the story of the band with insights from alumni, administrators, athletic department staff, and fans. The pinnacle moment in the film will be a reunion of the band for one final performance by former members who all believed they were a part of something very special.

PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature

DIRECTOR Chris Farina
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Ron Culberson

WEBSITE pepbanned.com