got flicks?

  RODERICK ROXAS/Daily Bruin

By Chris Moriates
Daily Bruin Contributor Hollywood, the epicenter of entertainment,
known around the world as the place where stars are born. UCLA is
located just a few miles up the street from the Sunset Strip, which
is home to some of the most famous clubs and small concert venues
in the country. But why leave campus? The Campus Events Commission
works year-round to bring the world of entertainment to
students’ doorsteps. From movie sneak previews to guest
speakers and live concerts, Campus Events offers it all to students
by bringing big stars and up and coming bands to campus. One of the
most popular features of the CEC is their movie program. Just how
popular is the program? Well, a minor riot almost erupted last year
when tickets became available for a free advance screening of the
movie “Gladiator.” “The office was crazy ““
extremely busy and packed with people wanting the tickets,”
said Jennifer Tse, the CEC films staff director. “It’s
all very exciting for the entire CEC staff to see so many people
enthusiastic about a screening, and the energy and response from
them gives us a good impression of how successful the sneak will
be.” Though not every advance screening incites rioting, the
CEC film program also offers a host of second-run movies ranging
from Hollywood blockbusters to old school college favorites for the
low price of $2. To spice up the experience, audience members are
given the opportunity to have fun and do crazy things for prizes,
such as movie posters. “(Campus Events) thinks that you
should leave UCLA with fun “˜college’ memories,”
said Jared Seltzer, Campus Events Commissioner. “If we are
not giving you some great big college memory, then at least we are
providing a good time.” Going to a preview screening also
involves an element of surprise and can be like playing the
lottery. Sometimes the movie is a highly anticipated release such
as “Gladiator,” or many times the movie is an obscure
film that becomes a blockbuster hit. The movie “Being John
Malkovich” was unknown when it came to UCLA last year, but it
became a surprise hit and even gained critical acclaim at the
Academy Awards. To top it all off, often the directors or stars
from the film appear after the screening to discuss the film with
the audience. Last year’s highlights included a sneak preview
of the highly anticipated “Blair Witch Project,” which
came complete with an open discussion with the film’s
directors. The CEC also organized a free screening of an episode of
“West Wing,” which was followed by a forum discussion
with the cast of the show. The Campus Events Commission is a
nonprofit, undergraduate-run organization that attempts to
entertain the extremely diverse audience of UCLA and the
surrounding area. The Campus Events Commissioner, who is in an
elected position, leads the CEC with the help of enthusiastic
directors and interns, who help with programming, organizing and
publicizing the events. With an abundance of ultra trendy, swanky
clubs and movie theaters in the Westwood area, the CEC film program
comes without overpriced box office tickets, gigantic bald-headed
bouncers or the need to travel anywhere. Students who often lack
both spending money and private transportation like to take
advantage of CEC events, even though UCLA is located in the middle
of the entertainment mecca. “Our location actually presents a
bit of a problem for us,” Seltzer said. “In the middle
of Iowa, if an organization brings entertainment on campus, then it
is a really big deal “¦ in L.A., we can kinda get lost in the
shuffle.” So how does Campus Events do it? The CEC goes a
step further than similar organizations at other college campuses
to ensure that it is providing the students with wide-ranging
entertainment and a good time. “Other colleges many times
hire companies to bring the movies to them,” Seltzer said.
“We go directly to the studios or we work with the different
companies to bring the movies to campus. This way we are able to
bring more movies that are diverse.” According to Seltzer,
movie companies are usually grateful for the opportunity to test
screen their films to college students, which many times is their
target audience. Also, the screenings work as publicity for the
movie and help add to the hype of big releases. Movie companies
hope that word of mouth among college audiences will create a buzz
before the official release of their film and help prepare it for
the first steps toward a successful blockbuster. This year CEC
promises to bring more blockbusters and big names to Ackerman, as
well as their free movie program during Week 10 which features
older movies for those that need a break from the grueling finals
studying. A quarterly film calendar is available to all students
during Convocation Week. The calendars can be found in the dorms,
around campus, and in Westwood Village. According to Tse, Campus
Events is anticipating an exciting year full of entertainment for
the students at UCLA. “Basically, the CEC strives to be a
student-run organization that brings quality entertainment on
campus to our peers,” Tse said. “Plus, the sneak
preview films are free, so who can say “˜no’ to a free
movie?”

Thursday 10/5

Wednesday 10/11

Thursday 10/12

Friday 10/13

Tuesday 10/17

Thursday 10/19
Friday 10/20

Wednesday 10/25
Thursday 10/26

Friday 11/3

Thursday 11/9
Friday 11/10

Thursday 11/16

Friday 11/17

Thursday 11/30
Friday 12/1

Wednesday 12/6

Dr. T and the Women

The Ladie’s Man (SNEAK)

The Contender (SNEAK)

Requiem for a Dream (SNEAK)

Pay It Forward (SNEAK)

X-Men

 
Chicken Run

You Can Count on Me (SNEAK)

Bring it On & But I’m a Cheerleader

What Lies Beneath

Quills (SNEAK)

The Big Lebowski + Fargo

 
Shadow of the Vampire (SNEAK)

All $2 films are shown at 7 and 9:30 p.m.in Ackerman Grand
Ballroom. Sneaks are shown at 6 or 8 p.m. in Ackerman or at Freud
Playhouse. Original by ADAM BROWN/Daily Bruin Web Adaptation
by HERNANE TABAY/Daily Bruin Senior Staff