SYLVIA HARDY“Cult classic” is the new theme for this year’s student-run Filmboard because, according to group leaders Victoria Caldwell and Stefan Block, it was predicted to draw the largest crowds.
In line with this notion, Filmboard plans to show movies such as “The Big Lebowski,” “Fight Club,” “Office Space” and many more. Also, during spring semester, the group has planned special events like an Oscar party.
Every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., Filmboard offers free movies to students. School buses park outside Liggett Hall near Wohl center on the South 40 to transport students to Galleria 6 Cinema.
This year’s theme was decided by votes from group members and executive officers. Senior Block, a film major and president of the Filmboard, said that the theme serves a purpose.
“We wanted to start with a theme,” said Block. “The idea was that by organizing the movie around the theme it would give people something to talk about, [and] maybe make films more interesting things that get into people’s conversation.”
This year, club members are putting more effort into publicizing their group, because although Filmboard has been around for more than two decades, members do not feel that the group is well-known on campus. This lack of notoriety was due to leadership and management problems, among other issues, according to Block.
“In the last five years, it started to fall apart,” said Block. “For a year, it was part of Campus Programming Council. I was the chair of Filmboard within CPC. We decided that we wanted to become our own organization again, and now we are in a good place.”
The group has slowly reemerged into the public view. Last year, the group finally resurrected the program with the support from Student Union and Harman Moseley. Student Union is now the main sponsor of Filmboard. Harman Moseley runs the Chase Park Plaza and Galleria 6 Cinemas, and is also one of the sponsors who helped the group by providing free space and a film projectionist at the Galleria 6 Cinema.
“I wanted the group to continue with its program, and I loved the films they showed 30 years ago when I was there as part of the University staff,” said Moseley.
Block said that he and his counterparts were grateful for this assistance.
“The facility is free,” said Block. “It has been recently renovated with stadium seating. It is a really high-quality theatre”
Filmboard only has to pay about $350 per film for the film itself.
The partnership between Filmboard and Galleria 6 Cinema started when the members went to ask for a film projectionist. Instead, Moseley offered them the use of the theater and his projectionist for free.
According to senior Victoria Caldwell, vice president of Filmboard, the theater still makes plenty of money from the concessions stands.
In the past, Filmboard has held screenings in Brown Hall with its own projectionist and popcorn maker.
“Film qualities are lot better, it’s more realistic, and you can watch movies that are not on DVD in widescreen on-screen for free,” said Caldwell of Gelleria 6 Cinema.
Filmboard officers were at the recent Activities Fair, but they said that there still seems to be a lack of interest among students. Caldwell said that everyone is missing out.
“Students should not miss this opportunity to see a great movie for free,” said Caldwell.
Students who have taken advantage of Filmboard were positive. Freshman Ayako Mayo, for instance, noted that she liked the classic movies that were shown. Another freshman, Katie Lambardi, was similarly enthusiastic.
“I really like the program,” said Lambardi. “There are lots of awesome seniors involved. Little by little, I think they are going to improve a lot.”