Yalie filmmakers—zooming in from every angle

You'll hear a lot about drama at Yale, but that by no means implies that film is dead. Though the vitality of undergraduate theater, as well as the Drama School's reputation, often overshadows student efforts, interest in watching and making films at Yale has skyrocketed in the past few years, and most of the campus film societies and groups have been founded quite recently. The main organizations created during this recent renaissance include the Yale Film Society (YFS) and University Pictures (UPix).

COURTESY YFS FILMS Blake Edwards, SM '02, and Clarissa Ward, JE '02, starred in the immensely popular Blue Devil.

Emerging from the ashes of previous undergraduate film organizations, the recently resurrected YFS surpasses the offerings of the now-defunct societies such as Bob's and Spectrum, as well as its own earlier incarnations. With screenings in 35mm format (the same as most movie theaters) in the Whitney Humanities Center auditorium at 53 Wall St., YFS showings vary from classics to foreign art films to recent box-office hits. The YFS has also brought in many great sneak previews; recent gems include American Beauty, Being John Malkovich, and Gladiator, as well as special guests from the film industry. Previous guests have included actors Edward Norton, ES '91, Al Pacino, and Kenneth Branagh, directors Oliver Stone and Doug Liman, and independent producer Christine Vachon (of the movie Happiness, a film directed by Yale graduate Todd Solondz, TC '81).

The Yale Medical School Film Society provides a valuable resource for film lovers. Situated in the Medical School's Harkness Hall, and easily accessible by Yale Transport, the Medical School Society shows two or three different films every weekend. Ranging from perennial favorites like Casablanca and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, and art house gems like The Madness of King George and Ingmar Bergman's Persona, to contemporary seat-fillers like The Talented Mr. Ripley and Runaway Bride, the Medical School Society's large selection of films caters to all tastes. For late night cravings, there are two video stores within walking distance of central campus, and many colleges have a private database of highly-entertaining movies and games. Those lucky enough to live in Silliman College (or to have many friends there) can take advantage of Silliflicks, the college's very own movie theater. Any Sillimander can sign-up for a slot to use this theater and enjoy a selection from the college's surprisingly large DVD collection on a projector far nicer than most home entertainment centers, or just watch The Simpsons and other popular shows with the crowd that usually congregates there.

Due to an accompanying interest in film production, two organizations were established to serve the increasing number of dynamic student filmmakers who have become ever more ambitious in their attempts to bring their cinematic visions to life on the big screen. UPix lends out equipment, film crews, and expertise to aspiring filmmakers, in addition to sponsoring the annual spring showing of Yale films. Founded by Jon Andrews, SM '96, winner of a 1996 Student Academy Award for his film Short Change, UPix continues to expand its operations. The organization offers training workshops for freshmen and assists senior film studies majors with the logistics of their senior projects.

YFS Films, the production division of The Yale Film Society has had a promising start, bringing together an exciting group of Yale filmmakers in a short period of time. One of the highlights of the year for YFS Films was the release of Blue Devil, a full-length black comedy/satire about a miserable econ major desperate to jumpstart his life—at any cost. A feature film shot on digital video, Blue Devil was written, directed, produced, acted, and edited all by Yale undergraduates. With the push of a massive publicity campaign, it was able to draw a huge audience, making the film a campus-wide event. The success of Blue Devil depicts the growing popularity of feature-length films among student filmmakers, and YFS Films has another two already planned for release this upcoming year.

Other student filmmakers work independently, relying on friends, faculty, and the facilities and expertise of various University departments for assistance. For them, and for those interested in more high-tech applications of traditional filmmaking, the Digital Media Arts Center on York Street is an invaluable resource. On the financial side of things, many student efforts would never have been possible without the help of their college's Sudler Fund, which pays for equipment used in selected independent art projects.

Combined, the film societies, production groups, and the vitality of the student filmmakers all attest to a strong interest in film at Yale, spanning both the production and viewing thereof. Whether you have dreams of becoming the next Woody Allen or simply want to come within spitting distance of a current or future movie idol, Yale's film scene will give you the means to do it.

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