So far this year, Film Series has encountered practically every problem imaginable, from freak janitor accidents to mail delivery problems associated with the Sept. 11 fallout. But the club plans to continue showing cheap movies for the Tufts community.
The weekend before Halloween, the club planned to show two of the ultimate cult classic horror films, Army of Darkness and Evil Dead 2. But while cleaning the club's theater, the classroom known as Barnum 008, a janitor accidentally ripped essential sound cords from the podium where the sound is controlled. With no sound, Film Series was unable to show the films.
At the beginning of this semester, Film Series was optimistic and expected a good year. Barnum 008 was remodeled over the summer and a new sound system was added, allowing for theater-like Dolby surround sound. The club also finally acquired two 35-milimeter film projectors.
"The 35-milimeter projectors use a different format of film," said treasurer Jonathan Cohen. "They're better - what the movie theaters use. These new projectors typically enable us to get newer movies. We typically get our movies at the same time as the Somerville Theatre."
Unfortunately, problems have plagued the new projectors since they were purchased. One projector's sound bulb, which decodes the sound for the film, broke, ripping 30 feet of film. That projector will be inoperable until a replacement sound bulb arrives. Film Series ordered a replacement immediately, but it was lost in the mail. Another replacement should arrive shortly.
Due to the difficulties, Film Series has had to re-learn how to run a film projector. There are certain nuances - such as the time it takes for the projectors to warm up - that make these different from the 16-milimeter projectors the club used. These differences take time to master.
Film Series' distributors can be blamed for a number of the problems the club has had. An erroneous splice in A.I., done before Film Series got the rolls of film, essentially caused the film to jump its track, spilling ribbons onto the floor. "The distributors failed to ship Snatch, Shrek, and Fear of a Black Hat," Cohen said. "As a result, popular movies can't be shown."
The availability of pirated movies online through file-sharing programs has also hurt Film Series attendance. "Morpheus has the jump on us," Cohen said, referring to a file-sharing program currently popular with college students nationwide. "With programs like that, you can get a movie days after it's released in the theatres. Still, we get die-hard fans who want the movie theatre experience."
But Film Series has had trouble finding these fans. Although films are shown relatively early in the evening, people tend to ignore the options Film Series offers. "This is a good pre-party type of thing, a good way to hang out with friends," Cohen said. "Unfortunately, the focus has gravitated more to the frats and the parties."
Film Series publicizes showings with postings around campus, but the club has had more luck with its e-mail list. To get onto the list, however, one has to attend meetings, which is more effort than the average student is willing to expend. The result: Few people know about upcoming films.
Instead, Film Series relies on slower forms of communication. "Word of mouth is beginning to spread about the new projectors," Cohen said. "We're hoping that movies, if they show up on time, will spark interest. There are movies that we are showing, like Requiem for a Dream, that people will now get the chance to see."
Film Series has struggled through a tough fall semester, but plans to rebound.
"Film Series definitely isn't going anywhere," Cohen said. "Things are looking up. The problems that are under our control we have worked the kinks out of. We look forward to a good second half of the fall semester."
Film Series meets tonight at 10 p.m. in Eaton 207.
