Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends
There are a lot of interesting ideas in this discussion and good suggested readings that i look forward to reading! Our library does not have an events budget line and certainly no funding for guest speakers. Instead we have partnered with the committee that manages our Freshman Reading Project. Like many other university reading projects, incoming freshman are given a book during orientation and then are encouraged to participate in a series of events throughout the fall semester, including classroom discussions, guest lectures. At our recommendation three years ago reading project events also include a film series, usually 2-3 films with ppr from our library media collection. It's wonderful to see our films being used this way and it does increase visibility and awareness of our collections among faculty but it does mean giving up quite a bit of control. -lisa Hooper Music Media Librarian Tulane University Sent from my iPad On Mar 10, 2015, at 10:23 AM, Susan Albrecht albre...@wabash.edumailto:albre...@wabash.edu wrote: We have a Film Lecture Committee which tries to host a handful of films each year. At different times, we’ve tried: ~ Just a random selection of films which struck the fancy of committee members, even one year calling it “Professors So-and-So host their favorite films”; ~ Just a random selection PLUS a film or two which other faculty members brought to the committee; ~ A themed set of films, like the year we focused on Cuba because two profs were taking students on an immersion trip to Cuba (very cool!), when we screened BUENA VISTA CULTURE CLUB, JUAN OF THE DEAD, GUANTANAMERA and MOTORCYCLE DIARIES; ~ Next year’s plan in which we will likely try a recurring *schedule* - “Movie Night Every Other Tuesday!” – to be filled in with selections from committee members, other faculty/staff, and student organizations (What I especially like about this last option is that, with many dates to fill and little money, it allows an “excuse” for ME to pick out a bunch of awesome documentaries which already have PPR!) The upside of having post-screening discussion periods is that many times a film really *needs* that. We screened SELMA a couple of weeks ago (and had 90 attendees on this itty bitty campus of 900!), and had a great discussion afterwards. We’ll be screening BOYHOOD in a few weeks and will have a faculty panel afterwards. We’ve reached out to the psychology film studies depts. and our gender issues committee for interested profs for that. The downside of having post-screening discussions, as I see it, are: 1) sometimes rounding up people to lead discussions is a nightmare and actually means an idea to screen never takes off; and 2) if attendees (especially students) feel that they *have* to stay… and they don’t want to! I think this can even deter students from attending in the first place. Besides, let’s face it – some movies are just fun!! and there’s no real need to talk afterwards. :) Another thing I do is host a “Green Issues” summer movie series. Since we don’t offer summer classes, most students are gone. But many faculty/staff have more time in the summer *and* members of the local community feel perhaps a little more welcome to participate. I’ve done this for 5 years and plan to do so again this year. I typically show 3 or 4 environmental-themed documentary each summer. Susan Susan Albrecht Library Media Acquisitions Manager Graduate Fellowship Advisor Wabash College Lilly Library 765-361-6216 (acquisitions) 765-361-6297 (fellowships) 765-361-6295 fax albre...@wabash.edumailto:albre...@wabash.edu www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.filmshttp://www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.films http://pinterest.com/wabashcolllib/ *** If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. --Neil Peart *** From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edumailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Elena Rossi-Snook Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 10:55 AM To: Videolib Listserv Subject: Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends What an excellent example program, Nell. I've sent this idea down to our public library branch folks along with some recommended reading which I'll suggest here as well since this type of program- a film with a panel of experts and discussion- is actually the foundation of film service in public libraries (called the Film Forum in the 1940s). If you've got the following oldies but goodies on your shelves or in reference, they're worth taking a glance at: Using Films: a Handbook for the Program Planner by James L. Limbacher (EFLA) Making Films Work for Your Community (EFLA) Leading Film Discussions
Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends
Yes, I am currently on a festival committee. We are seeing dwindling interest and more competition. For our new library discussion series, there is not funding for big name guests nor for non-local speakers. So, ... looking for thoughts from the community on trends on currently successful programs. Nell On Tue, Mar 10, 2015 at 10:54 AM, Elena Rossi-Snook elenarossisn...@nypl.org wrote: What an excellent example program, Nell. I've sent this idea down to our public library branch folks along with some recommended reading which I'll suggest here as well since this type of program- a film with a panel of experts and discussion- is actually the foundation of film service in public libraries (called the Film Forum in the 1940s). If you've got the following oldies but goodies on your shelves or in reference, they're worth taking a glance at: Using Films: a Handbook for the Program Planner by James L. Limbacher (EFLA) Making Films Work for Your Community (EFLA) Leading Film Discussions: a Guide to Using Films for Discussion, Training Leaders, Planning Effective Programs by Madeline S. Friedlander and Film News is an excellent resource when it comes to learning about what worked and what did not work in this type of series. I especially enjoy anything written by Grace Stevenson. I suppose the caveat is that the mid-century audiences around whom these works were written are different from audiences today, but there are some things that will never change: a necessary finesse for what you show and how and when you show it. If anything, audiences today are super-saturated with images and screens and so *are* looking for that unique experience. Imagine Neal Degrasse Tyson discussing INSTERSTELLAR! I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Elena Rossi-Snook The New York Public Library On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 9:59 PM, Troy Davis mtd...@wm.edu wrote: Dear Nell, great question. we've tried to do some film series in the past and I think you are right on trying to connect faculty with it. it is super cool to try to connect a movie with a discussion of it in cool ways. the venue is always the issue for us. we've not a really great space to screen films. we've recently retrofitted an old theater in our library with capabilities for screenings, so we'll see. in the past, our efforts have been not so successful, but if I reflect on it a bit, I think if you are gonna try something like this, you have to have some tolerance for low attendance for awhile. My biggest regret is that I didn't continue the series. I'd say just do it and make the faculty intervention piece gravy. show some films, market it a bit, and cultivate a culture of curation on the campus. Maybe include students in the process. One cool place to look for films is https://beta.smplmchn.com. Best, Troy On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 1:03 PM, Nell J Chenault njche...@vcu.edu wrote: We are proposing a new film discussion series - cross disciplinary - bringing speakers/faculty from diverse programs to discuss a film. Example: Interstellar. a physics professor may discuss science of space travel, environmental science food issues, or women's studies discuss changing role of women and father-daughrer relations. But... my question, what is the current trend for academic and community participation in such events? What is currently happening at your library, school or university? What helps with success of this type of event for your organization or community? What are your attendance trends? Can any of you share a current successful series? Thanks! Nell Chenault Film Performing Arts Librarian VCU Libraries (804) 828-2070 | njche...@vcu.edu -- Troy Davis | (757) 279-8871 Swem Library http://guides.swem.wm.edu/media t...@wm.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and
Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends
We have a Film Lecture Committee which tries to host a handful of films each year. At different times, we’ve tried: ~ Just a random selection of films which struck the fancy of committee members, even one year calling it “Professors So-and-So host their favorite films”; ~ Just a random selection PLUS a film or two which other faculty members brought to the committee; ~ A themed set of films, like the year we focused on Cuba because two profs were taking students on an immersion trip to Cuba (very cool!), when we screened BUENA VISTA CULTURE CLUB, JUAN OF THE DEAD, GUANTANAMERA and MOTORCYCLE DIARIES; ~ Next year’s plan in which we will likely try a recurring *schedule* - “Movie Night Every Other Tuesday!” – to be filled in with selections from committee members, other faculty/staff, and student organizations (What I especially like about this last option is that, with many dates to fill and little money, it allows an “excuse” for ME to pick out a bunch of awesome documentaries which already have PPR!) The upside of having post-screening discussion periods is that many times a film really *needs* that. We screened SELMA a couple of weeks ago (and had 90 attendees on this itty bitty campus of 900!), and had a great discussion afterwards. We’ll be screening BOYHOOD in a few weeks and will have a faculty panel afterwards. We’ve reached out to the psychology film studies depts. and our gender issues committee for interested profs for that. The downside of having post-screening discussions, as I see it, are: 1) sometimes rounding up people to lead discussions is a nightmare and actually means an idea to screen never takes off; and 2) if attendees (especially students) feel that they *have* to stay… and they don’t want to! I think this can even deter students from attending in the first place. Besides, let’s face it – some movies are just fun!! and there’s no real need to talk afterwards. ☺ Another thing I do is host a “Green Issues” summer movie series. Since we don’t offer summer classes, most students are gone. But many faculty/staff have more time in the summer *and* members of the local community feel perhaps a little more welcome to participate. I’ve done this for 5 years and plan to do so again this year. I typically show 3 or 4 environmental-themed documentary each summer. Susan Susan Albrecht Library Media Acquisitions Manager Graduate Fellowship Advisor Wabash College Lilly Library 765-361-6216 (acquisitions) 765-361-6297 (fellowships) 765-361-6295 fax albre...@wabash.edumailto:albre...@wabash.edu www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.filmshttp://www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.films http://pinterest.com/wabashcolllib/ *** If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. --Neil Peart *** From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Elena Rossi-Snook Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 10:55 AM To: Videolib Listserv Subject: Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends What an excellent example program, Nell. I've sent this idea down to our public library branch folks along with some recommended reading which I'll suggest here as well since this type of program- a film with a panel of experts and discussion- is actually the foundation of film service in public libraries (called the Film Forum in the 1940s). If you've got the following oldies but goodies on your shelves or in reference, they're worth taking a glance at: Using Films: a Handbook for the Program Planner by James L. Limbacher (EFLA) Making Films Work for Your Community (EFLA) Leading Film Discussions: a Guide to Using Films for Discussion, Training Leaders, Planning Effective Programs by Madeline S. Friedlander and Film News is an excellent resource when it comes to learning about what worked and what did not work in this type of series. I especially enjoy anything written by Grace Stevenson. I suppose the caveat is that the mid-century audiences around whom these works were written are different from audiences today, but there are some things that will never change: a necessary finesse for what you show and how and when you show it. If anything, audiences today are super-saturated with images and screens and so are looking for that unique experience. Imagine Neal Degrasse Tyson discussing INSTERSTELLAR! I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Elena Rossi-Snook The New York Public Library On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 9:59 PM, Troy Davis mtd...@wm.edumailto:mtd...@wm.edu wrote: Dear Nell, great question. we've tried to do some film series in the past and I think you are right on trying to connect faculty with it. it is super cool to try to connect a movie
Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends
What an excellent example program, Nell. I've sent this idea down to our public library branch folks along with some recommended reading which I'll suggest here as well since this type of program- a film with a panel of experts and discussion- is actually the foundation of film service in public libraries (called the Film Forum in the 1940s). If you've got the following oldies but goodies on your shelves or in reference, they're worth taking a glance at: Using Films: a Handbook for the Program Planner by James L. Limbacher (EFLA) Making Films Work for Your Community (EFLA) Leading Film Discussions: a Guide to Using Films for Discussion, Training Leaders, Planning Effective Programs by Madeline S. Friedlander and Film News is an excellent resource when it comes to learning about what worked and what did not work in this type of series. I especially enjoy anything written by Grace Stevenson. I suppose the caveat is that the mid-century audiences around whom these works were written are different from audiences today, but there are some things that will never change: a necessary finesse for what you show and how and when you show it. If anything, audiences today are super-saturated with images and screens and so *are* looking for that unique experience. Imagine Neal Degrasse Tyson discussing INSTERSTELLAR! I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Elena Rossi-Snook The New York Public Library On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 9:59 PM, Troy Davis mtd...@wm.edu wrote: Dear Nell, great question. we've tried to do some film series in the past and I think you are right on trying to connect faculty with it. it is super cool to try to connect a movie with a discussion of it in cool ways. the venue is always the issue for us. we've not a really great space to screen films. we've recently retrofitted an old theater in our library with capabilities for screenings, so we'll see. in the past, our efforts have been not so successful, but if I reflect on it a bit, I think if you are gonna try something like this, you have to have some tolerance for low attendance for awhile. My biggest regret is that I didn't continue the series. I'd say just do it and make the faculty intervention piece gravy. show some films, market it a bit, and cultivate a culture of curation on the campus. Maybe include students in the process. One cool place to look for films is https://beta.smplmchn.com. Best, Troy On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 1:03 PM, Nell J Chenault njche...@vcu.edu wrote: We are proposing a new film discussion series - cross disciplinary - bringing speakers/faculty from diverse programs to discuss a film. Example: Interstellar. a physics professor may discuss science of space travel, environmental science food issues, or women's studies discuss changing role of women and father-daughrer relations. But... my question, what is the current trend for academic and community participation in such events? What is currently happening at your library, school or university? What helps with success of this type of event for your organization or community? What are your attendance trends? Can any of you share a current successful series? Thanks! Nell Chenault Film Performing Arts Librarian VCU Libraries (804) 828-2070 | njche...@vcu.edu -- Troy Davis | (757) 279-8871 Swem Library http://guides.swem.wm.edu/media t...@wm.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors. VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
[Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends
We are proposing a new film discussion series - cross disciplinary - bringing speakers/faculty from diverse programs to discuss a film. Example: Interstellar. a physics professor may discuss science of space travel, environmental science food issues, or women's studies discuss changing role of women and father-daughrer relations. But... my question, what is the current trend for academic and community participation in such events? What is currently happening at your library, school or university? What helps with success of this type of event for your organization or community? What are your attendance trends? Can any of you share a current successful series? Thanks! Nell Chenault Film Performing Arts Librarian VCU Libraries (804) 828-2070 | njche...@vcu.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
Re: [Videolib] Film discussion series - current trends
Dear Nell, great question. we've tried to do some film series in the past and I think you are right on trying to connect faculty with it. it is super cool to try to connect a movie with a discussion of it in cool ways. the venue is always the issue for us. we've not a really great space to screen films. we've recently retrofitted an old theater in our library with capabilities for screenings, so we'll see. in the past, our efforts have been not so successful, but if I reflect on it a bit, I think if you are gonna try something like this, you have to have some tolerance for low attendance for awhile. My biggest regret is that I didn't continue the series. I'd say just do it and make the faculty intervention piece gravy. show some films, market it a bit, and cultivate a culture of curation on the campus. Maybe include students in the process. One cool place to look for films is https://beta.smplmchn.com. Best, Troy On Mon, Mar 9, 2015 at 1:03 PM, Nell J Chenault njche...@vcu.edu wrote: We are proposing a new film discussion series - cross disciplinary - bringing speakers/faculty from diverse programs to discuss a film. Example: Interstellar. a physics professor may discuss science of space travel, environmental science food issues, or women's studies discuss changing role of women and father-daughrer relations. But... my question, what is the current trend for academic and community participation in such events? What is currently happening at your library, school or university? What helps with success of this type of event for your organization or community? What are your attendance trends? Can any of you share a current successful series? Thanks! Nell Chenault Film Performing Arts Librarian VCU Libraries (804) 828-2070 | njche...@vcu.edu -- Troy Davis | (757) 279-8871 Swem Library http://guides.swem.wm.edu/media t...@wm.edu VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
