Megan: The Movies I’m Most Excited to See in 2016

Welcome to my first blog post! While as a freshman I am still fairly new to the whole—college—thing, one aspect of my life that has remained the same is my love of movies (hence why I’m a Film and Television major!). I saw the new Star Wars movie five times in theatres, and if that’s not love I don’t know what is. So, here is my list of the top five movies I’m most excited to see in theatres this year.

 

  1. Snowden: One of the more intimidating films coming out this year, I am very excited to see how they portray one of the most controversial people of the last few years. Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in what is sure to be a very talked about film.

 

  1. Independence Day Resurgence: If you haven’t seen the original Independence Day, it is a definite must see, along with its sequel, which I didn’t know I needed until it was announced that there was going to be a new one! Combining a love for America with aliens and, yes, Liam Hemsworth, this movie is sure to be a hit.

 

  1. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: There has been a very empty void in my heart since the last Harry Potter movie came out in 2011, and it will finally be filled with this prequel, led by the ever wonderful Eddie Redmayne. I am so excited to revisit my very favorite fantastical world, this time set in a city closer to home: New York.

 

  1. Moana: This Disney animated film stars a young woman on a quest to find a fabled island. On this journey she will be accompanied by a demi-god named Maui, voiced by non other than the fan favorite Dwayne the Rock Johnson.

 

  1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story: Probably the movie I’m most excited to see this year, this spinoff tells a story between Episode III and Episode IV. How did the Rebels acquire the plans to the Death Star, and will we see a surprise appearance from a young Han Solo?

 

Bonus! Take this Buzzfeed Quiz to see which movie you’re most excited to see this year: http://www.buzzfeed.com/talhaishaq2001/can-we-guess-which-2016-movie-are-you-more-excited-1saop?utm_term=.vy6KxDrLGA&bftw=#.ghPw83PBKr

Tyler: We’re baaaaaaaaacckkk: Tackling Spring Semester

Happy first day of classes, terriers! Are you ready for the spring semester? For many upperclassmen, it may be simple to adjust to the new schedule and new courses -- and some freshmen might already have the hang of it, too! But for those of you who still struggle with the transition, here are some tips to make sure you start the semester off right:
 
1. A given -- but if your new professors email you before the semester starts, READ IT!
These emails usually speak on important events within the first week of classes in addition to including a syllabus. It's good to know what you're getting into. The syllabus is key. It often lists the required materials and texts for the class (which the sooner you get, the better!)
2. Map out your schedule.
Classes, sports, clubs, work, etc. all run on their own schedules, but you have to run on your own. The day before the semester begins, sit down and take a look at all your commitments for the semester. Make a 7-day consolidated calendar and label your typical week's schedule that includes locations of events. Hang it up in your room for your personal reference (your roommate may appreciate it, too!), put it in a notebook that you always carry around, or even upload it onto your phone's calendar.
3. Walk around campus briefly to figure out where your classes will be.
It'll be helpful to know where you're going on the first day, especially if you're new or have never been in a specific building before. Take some time before class to know the specific classroom you will be in so that you can assure that you'll arrive on time on the first day.
4. Keep an open mind.
A class you're taking may have a reputation for being very difficult, or you haven't heard the best reviews. This shouldn't impede you, though. Try going into classes with an open mind. You may end up loving the topic and the professor! Everyone's opinions are different.
 
5. And of course, don't forget to celebrate a new semester with your friends!
It's been a month since you've seen your friends! Go say hi and grab dinner together. Catch up on life, have fun, and get ready for an exciting few months!

Katie: Getting Settled: Starting Strong this Spring Semester

It’s that time of year again! January is coming to a close and "Syllabus Week" is upon us.

While some students are psyched to be back at BU after a long, tedious month at home, others are anxious or stressed and ready to hop right back on the plane that brought them here. Full disclosure: I live about 45 minutes away and I still get homesick when I first come back to school! Regardless, some of us are starting internships or new jobs, and others are back to the normal grind of schoolwork. Whatever your case may be, it’s important to try to start the new semester on a high note, and there are plenty of ways to do so!

Remember that the professors you have this semester have never met you before—the week ahead of you virtually a blank slate. This can work to your advantage, of course, so make sure to start off on the right foot! Ask questions and take the time to connect with people in your classes. See a dreaded group project on the syllabus? Turn to the person next to you and ask if they’re looking for a partner. You’ll be amazed at the effects some planning can have, and I can say from experience that making friends on the first day always makes that 20-page paper or the upcoming exam a little more bearable.

That being said, be sure to spend time with the friends you’ve been missing for the past few weeks as well. My favorite way to catch up with friends is to ask them to dinner at the dining hall—while it isn’t the most glamorous situation, everybody needs to eat. So why not eat together?

Coming back to school after a few weeks of total freedom can always be daunting. We’ve spent the past thirty days sitting on the couch binge watching “Making a Murderer” and eating peanut butter out of the jar, (I can’t be the only one, right?), so it’s understandable to feel a little so-so about the upcoming week. But keeping a positive attitude is the key!

Nail the first day at your new internship. Step into class on the first day and talk to someone you’ve never spoken to before. I promise, you won’t regret it!

Hanna: Putting COM Knowledge into Practice

While classes are just about to kick off for most students, I am happy to report that I’ve been keeping busy in Boston for the past two weeks. Last semester, one of my wonderful COM professors put me in touch with a friend of hers…this friend happened to be the GM of Television Programming at WGBH in Boston. WGBH produces over 90% of national PBS content, and within a week of reaching out, I had clenched an internship for the spring! Teach-able moment #1: always ask your professors about their contacts. They have all worked in their fields or continue to do so, and they can almost certainly put you in touch with someone who can help you out. Having their reference always pushes your resume up the pile as well, and COM professors are more than willing to assist if you make your passion clear!).

Two weeks ago, I reported to day one of the internship. I would begin by working on Sing That Thing!, a reality competition program for high school, college, and adult singing groups throughout the northeast. At first I admittedly belittled the project – it will only be broadcast in nine states, and reality is not exactly what I want to do with my career. Teach-able moment #2 and 3: It is an honor to work on any project within television, especially starting out as a college student. Each one offers so much to learn in its own unique way, and it is so important to take advantage of what it can do for you. While an internship may not fulfill your life goal, it will provide a very necessary step in getting there. In addition, starting out on a smaller project is the best way for interns to get experience. The team on this show is plentiful and professional, but its lesser scale has allowed for more of my tasks to be hands-on. Just yesterday my boss considered me a Production Assistant instead of an intern, and larger, national program may have stuck me in the copy room a lot more than the set.

In addition to Sing That Thing!, I am looking forward to working on projects for the WORLD channel, a national news documentary channel with positive initiatives and lots of opportunities for someone like me. In only two weeks I have grown very comfortable asking questions, navigating the high-pressure environment of a television studio, and offering my own perspective. I’m starting to determine which areas of the production I enjoy and which I’d rather avoid, but I’m still making sure to approach the internship in as well-rounded a manner as possible.

To top off the experience comes the 4 credits I get to apply toward my Film and TV major! When interning, check to see if credit is available within COM. They are incredibly helpful in ensuring that you get the most out of the opportunity, both throughout your time there and in terms of your college education.

It is crazy to see the parallels between what I’ve learned in my COM classes and in this professional environment. Although I am learning a lot of new information, much of what I have been able to do at this internship is simply a practical application of what I have already learned from professors. This is wildly comforting as I reach the latter half of my college career; it’s a clear indication that what I learn in COM truly sets me up for success in the real world.

Hanna and another WGBH intern having fun on the set of Sing That Thing!

Stacy: The 5 Stages of Grief after Ending an Internship

So you're interning at your dream company... and you are having an amazing time. But suddenly you get the e-mail telling you the password to your work e-mail is about to expire. You also get the e-mail from your internship coordinator in COM giving you the end of the semester paperwork to receive internship credit. How do you handle it? Through these stages:

Denial - "Wait, so I don't actually work here?"
After working for a company or organization for a semester... you almost feel part of it. However, come finals time... you realize there is a last day... and it comes quick.
Adjusting - "Look at all the free time I have... it's great...."
Not used to 16-20 free hours every week? How do you spend them once the internship is over? I guess there is Netflix... or you can exercise... or sleep? But who really wants to do those things?
Depression - "Oh your internship still has another week? Mine already ended..."
Watching your friends continue dressing in their business casual while you... don't. You've already finished all six seasons of White Collar and re-watched The Office, so I guess you can take up a hobby? Knitting or... watching the TV station you interned for....
Anger -  "So... there will be another me next semester?"
You realize there is a new intern every semester... someone who will do the same jobs you did, sit in the same seat you did and have the same opportunities. You consider re-applying for the same internship.. but you know it's wrong.
Acceptance - "I wonder where I'll intern next!"
You finally understand that there is so much in your future college career to embark on, and you can take the experiences from your past internships - and use them in the future.

Kevin: If I Could Do It All Over…

As I wrap up my final week at BU and look back at my time, I only have 1 regret. It’s hard for me to admit, and I’m honestly quite ashamed, but it’s time I said it…

I never went to a screening of The Room.

Coolidge Corner Theater has midnight screenings a couple times throughout the semester, and rumor has it Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sistero have made surprise appearances in the past.

Now that I’m graduating, I have only 1 goal: to get a cameo as Mike in James Franco’s Disaster Artist, the movie about the movie about nothing. Rumor has it Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Kate Upton, Josh Hutcherson, and Zac Efron have all signed on, and I think I’d fit right into that cast.

 

If you haven’t already seen the room, here’s all you need to know:

  • ·      Tommy Wiseau claims to have financed the film by importing and selling leather jackets from Korea. He refuses to further elaborate on this.
  • ·      Shot simultaneously on 35 mm film and high-definition video. Tommy Wiseau was confused about the differences between the formats, so he used both cameras on the same mount. He also purchased the cameras, instead of renting them as film productions usually do.
  • ·      Mark (Greg Sestero) is named after Matt Damon. According to Sestero, Tommy Wiseau misheard the actor's name despite his obsession with the actor.
  • ·      Entire scenes were out of focus because nobody bothered to check the lens.

(these are all entirely real, from IMDB.)

 

To check out the Coolidge’s schedule of screenings, you can click here.

 

Don’t make my mistake and graduate without experiencing The Room gloriously projected onto the large screen.

Christy: Breaking Free from the End of Semester Slump

As the weather gets colder and the dark, dreary skies become the new normal, its easy to fall into a slump. We wake up, look forward to going back to be and alternate our favorite end of the semester activities: going to class, doing school work and stressing out.

Last year, I found it hard to break free of this slump, but this semester I have found some ways to force myself to break this trend: the most important being get out and get a change of scenery.

1: Make a date with yourself
Plan a date and time to go to Starbucks or Pavement to get a change of scenery. I know it sounds silly but designating a time to get yourself out is a great way to break habits and routines. Even if you do homework while you’re there, it’s nice just to be somewhere other than the library or your desk.

2: Make a date with a friend
Sitting alone not your thing? Plan to go to lunch with a friend! Whether you plan to go to Starbucks to get some work done or hit up Newbury Street for a nice lunch and conversation, hanging out with a friend will distract you for daily stresses, while catching up with a friend you have probably neglected to talk to as much because your lives have so consumed with stress.

3: Go see The Nutcracker
I grew up both performing in and seeing The Nutcracker so I always associate December with this iconic ballet. There is nothing that compares to the magic of The Nutcracker (in my objective opinion.) Never seen a ballet? The Nutcracker is the perfect first ballet! It is beautiful and upbeat with a timeless story. Take a night to head downtown to the Boston Opera House and get lost in the Land of Sweets rather than your COM101 textbook.

At the end of the semester, don’t be afraid to change it up, go somewhere new and have some fun!

Kreag: Boston: Winter Wonderland?

As the winter months approach, a lot of people end up stuck in their dorms as the snow buries our dorms and traps us inside.  Especially for those coming from rural or more suburban areas, its unusual to not be able to run out of your house and jump into the snow.  The city is a totally new experience during winter, but that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty to do!  So, today I’m going to share some potential activities around the city that you can do even when there’s a few dozen feet of snow on the ground.

 

  1. Personally, my favorite thing to do in the winter, especially right after a fresh snow fall, is to take a trip to the Public Garden and Boston Common.  The whole area is absolutely beautiful after it has snowed and its perfect for those of you who love photography.  This is also going to be your only chance to visit the little island that lies in the center of the pond in the public garden, as the water freezes over and you’re able to walk out on to the ice and journey out to the center of the pond!

 

  1. The Esplanade typically has a big snowball fight after the first big snowstorm.  Last year it got cancelled because the storm was soooo bad, but hopefully this year it’ll be back on.  I’ve heard that it’s a lot of fun, and people come from all over the city to take part!  The esplanade in general during the winter is a beautiful place to visit, and also super close to campus!

 

  1. Another great opportunity is ice skating on the frog pond at Boston Common!  I had a few friends who went last year and claimed it was a super fun time.  I plan on going sometime before the end of the semester.

 

  1. The tree lightings across the city are also wonderful events that I wish I could have attended this year!  There’s a great lighting in Faneuil Hall that already happened, but Faneuil Hall during winter in general is a beautiful place to visit.
  2. Literally just wandering the city.  Last year I had to do a photography project out in the city in the middle of February and it was a great way to see the city from a whole new perspective.  Somehow I ended up at the fishing pier, which was entirely empty for once and it was super cool to see.  Honestly, losing yourself in the city during the winter is a great experience.

So, there you have it.  Five different activities to keep you busy during the frozen winter months!  Now here's to hoping that we don't break another snowfall record this year...

L.E.: COM’s Most Special Classes

For Film & Television majors there are so many interesting classes that you can choose from that are listed on the degree requirement form. However, what a lot of eager film-gurus do not realize is that there are additional special topics courses that are offered each semester. These special topics vary semester to semester and get specific in course description.

This semester I had the opportunity to take a special topics TV studies class called "NBC: The Anatomy of a Network." In this class we study the multiple facets of network TV using NBC as a case study. Not only was this a great focus since NBC was the first American broadcast network, but I have also loved NBC for as long as TV has been a part of my life (aka always).

When I first heard about this class from an upperclassman friend, I knew I had to take the class because I never knew if they were going to offer it again (the scary thing about special topics courses). I was also nervous to take a graduate level course as a first semester sophomore. Thankfully a spot freed up and I ran to the Film & TV department and had them add me on to the class.

The class is once a week and is a long 3 hour session. However it never feels like a long class because everything we talk about is so entertaining and interesting. We watch full episodes of NBC's best (and worst) shows like ER, SNL and Hill Street Blues. Also you know it's a great class when the professor starts the discussion each week by asking us what TV we've been watching.

Speaking of my professor, if you are interesting in studying TV you MUST take a class with Professor Jaramillo at some point of your BU career. She is brilliant and knows SO MUCH about the TV industry. She's literally a TV scholar and I wish I had the opportunity to learn from her every single day. Next semester, she's teaching two special topics courses: "Uncensored TV" and "Feminist Television." If just the titles of those classes don't intrigue you right off the bat, you can find their course descriptions at http://www.bu.edu/com/files/2015/10/Spring-2016-Special-Topics.pdf

So take a look at the list and see if there are any classes that spark your interest and if you're thinking about adding "Inside YouTube: Understanding the Rise of a Media Juggernaut" I'll see you in class next semester!

Zach is Back: Ranking The GSU Options

The rankings ensue! As we finish this semester I will answer one of the most burning questions at BU, which is the best location at the GSU. Now I know what you are thinking: this. is. tough. But if anyone can handle it, it’s me. I am the biggest GSU lover ever and should receive infinite dining points for even making this post, but I digress.
(I will rate from worst to best.)
10: Panda Express
No, Panda is not bad by any means, nothing at the GSU is actually bad. However, this is the least original and you can’t deny that you always feel gross after eating something from Panda Express. Also they are always out of Teriyaki which is a big no-no in my book. There is something comforting though in having it, as it is a real brand that you can have realistic expectations with its food. But at the end of the day… it’s still panda
9: Grab N Go
Honestly, just wait the 5 extra minutes for a good option or go to City Co.
8: Takin’ It To The Street
What a beautiful, but unreliable concept. I love the idea of rotating themes (more on that later), and I love that we get to experience new food all the time. But some of the themes aren't great. Has anyone ever like “The Codfather”? Also some of them are good but could be better, the burrito and Mediterranean ones are nice but subpar versions of real chains. The meatball one is cute, but who wants a meatball. Bonus: the options are usually pretty cheap.
7: Cheesology
Another cute option gone mildly wrong. First of all, just as Takin It To The Street is soooooo 2014, this is sooooooo 2009. That’s not a bad thing per say, but fads should not be permanent student establishments. The options are good here, but they are small, expensive, and take a long time to make for so little food.
6: Charles River Bread Company
I love it! But blah, these are just (much) better dining hall sandwiches and the salad territory is covered.
5: Cranberry Farms
I LOVE CRANBERRY FARMS! I am only ranking it this low for two reasons. 1: It is a polarizing place, some people don’t like it and I can see why. 2: I want more sides without paying more, I’m in college like come on. However, the food is so good and so filling and like good for you.
4: Rhett’s
I’ve discussed Rhett’s in a previous post, but Rhett’s is the biggest surprise of BU. You’d think it would be disgusting but it’s very good. The burgers are solid and there are a lot of options. The bagel sandwiches are HEAVENLY, and the fry options are good. The new quinoa bowls don't belong at Rhett’s, but they do belong in my stomach. I’m rating this lower because the wait is always bad, and other options do other things better.
3: Pinkberry
Do you need froyo? No. Do you want it? YES! Need I explain more? No.
2: Loose Leafs
slgkjhsadlkjghsdajlkf MY HEART AND SOUL!! kjhfaskdjhflkj Loose Leafs is ALMOST perfect. The themes are amazing (except for Pacific Rim which isn't thaaat) bad, the toppings are amazing, the breads are amazing, the meats are amazing, the dressings are amazing. I wish we had more lettuce options. Overally, I cannot contain my immense LOVE for Loose Leafs.
1: Basho
 This was a shock for me as I decided between Loose Leafs and Basho, but a sushi bowl is ~revoluationary~ and so good. Like I have never had a bad sushi bowl. They are wildly expensive but so worth. BU has never done anything smarter than putting one in Warren. I’m counting the breaths until it opens.
CityCo and Starbucks do not count because we have those everywhere on campus. Now remember kids, DINING POINTS ARE FINITE! See you next semester with a review of the new BASHO!