Dany: A Very PC Weekend

Daniela ImageHey everyone! Since coming back from spring break, I’ve had only one thing on my mind: SPF’12!

For those of you who don’t know, I’m part of the Executive Board of Programming Council, which is BU’s student-run organization that puts on really awesome events throughout the year. This year, we have brought you PC Glow, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Mr. and Ms. BU, Winter Weekend, Back Bay Ball, and tons more. Our final event of the year was this past weekend. It was called SPF ’12 (for Spring PC Frenzy!) and it consisted of a free concert at the House of Blues featuring Gym Class Heroes and a free comedy show in Metcalf featuring Michael Ian Black!

If you came out to either event this past weekend, thank you so much for making PC’s last event of the year so wonderful. I want to emphasize how awesome an experience I had and encourage everyone who’s interested in helping out with next year’s events to come to our meetings on Wednesdays at 7pm in SAO!

Now that I have that shameless plug out of the way, I’m going to tell you just how awesome an experience this was and how much I love being a part of PC.

The evening started off normal enough for an event. We arrived at the House of Blues early and made sure everything was running smoothly in terms of tickets and equipment. We divvied up tasks and got ready for doors to open. One of my friends who, along with being a PC Event Manger, is also an editor for the Daily Free Press, told me frantically that the reporter that was supposed to come interview Gym Class Heroes could not make it. She was nervous and didn’t want to do the interview alone, so I eagerly offered to do it with her. I am an opinion columnist for the Daily Free Press, and because of my COM education, I knew how to conduct a journalistic interview.

I never expected when I woke up on Friday morning that in a few hours I would be sitting in a small room backstage at the House of Blues shaking hands with Eric and Matt of Gym Class Heroes. I was still reeling from the group hug that Travie McCoy (the lead singer) had insisted on with all of PC backstage before going on. The interview went flawlessly, and I have to attribute a lot of it to my COM education.

One of the things I love about COM is how all of the majors relate to each other, no matter what class you’re taking. There is a synergy among all the fields that make it fascinating to study. I love that even though I am a Public Relations major, I was able to use some journalistic skills I had picked up on in CO201 and deliver a great interview.

The next night, we had Michael Ian Black perform at Metcalf. PC perks meant meeting up with him after the show and getting a group picture. I’m quite short, and somehow I ended up standing a little bit behind him. I had to stand on my tiptoes and lean against his shoulder for the shot. I think that surprised him, and it came out really funny in the picture.

All in all, I had an incredible weekend. It’s a great testament to the many amazing opportunities I have because I’m here, and I’m so glad to be a part of BU and COM and PC. I hope to see some of you in our meetings this semester and next fall. I promise you won’t regret it!

Sarah: Free (and legal!) Movies on Campus

Sarah ImageWe all love free stuff, and as college students, we have plenty of it available. At any given campus event, you might walk away with flip cam, a gift card or, best of all, a free t-shirt. While I welcome all free things, there is nothing quite as satisfying as a free movie. Here are a few (legal) ways to catch a free flick right here on campus.

Krasker Film Library

This place is Mugar’s hidden gem. In the basement of the library hides a secret stash of over 18,000 movies on DVD, Blu-ray and the ever-popular VHS. Krasker has every film from Citizen Kane to Superbad, and plenty in between. All of the films are catalogued and can be reserved online. You can’t take films out of the library, so head here on a rainy day when you have an afternoon to kill.

Geddes Language Center

This is the Krasker of foreign films, housed on the fifth floor of the College of Arts and Sciences building. There are thousands of films in nearly 30 different languages, including Russian, Korean, Italian, ASL, Creole and Yiddish. Language professors typically use this facility for class screenings, but individual students can also reserve films. All you need to watch a film is your BU ID. These films must also stay at the center.

Cinematheque

If anyone knows the worth of a good movie, it is BU’s Film & TV department. Each semester, several writers, directors, producers and actors visit COM as a part of the department’s Cinematheque series. Our guests typically screen a movie or TV episode and then hold a Q&A session afterwards. Sometimes we’re even lucky enough to get COM alumni who have struck some success in the business. Last month, Jennifer Getzinger was here to screen an episode of Mad Men that she directed. Pretty cool, huh?

Redstone Film Festival

Another department event, this film festival is all about student work. All COM students are invited to submit their original work, which is judged by a panel of industry professionals. Once a year, they roll out the red carpet in front of the Tsai Performance Center to screen the top films and announce the winners. It feels like a Hollywood movie premiere right on campus. The theater always sells out, so show up early!

Programming Council Events

BU’s Programming Council hosts more campus events than I can ever keep track of. From open skate to comedy shows to semi-formal dances, PC does it all. My favorite PC events, of course, are free movie screenings. They host “drive-in movie” nights throughout the semester at different locations. When the weather is nice enough, they even project movies on jumbo screens on the BU Beach or Nickerson Field. The usually show double features, like Bridesmaids and Horrible Bosses, and serve free popcorn!

And if you just love the ambiance of the traditional movie theater, check out the GSU ticket office on the second floor for discounted tickets to Regal Cinemas. Being a BU student has its perks – take advantage of some of them!