“I do love the idea of having more screenings on campus where people can watch in a community," (Staff Writer / Shane Bagot)
To best understand film and its evolution, a look at the past is an essential part of that journey. To fully grasp the knowledge and influence is to recognize what has come before. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark year of film 1975. The Radio Television Film (RTF) Department was prepared to kick off its celebration with the classic movie “Jaws” for the fall screening series.
“Jaws” starts the first of three screenings this semester, showcasing other classic movies from 1975. Faculty and RTF member Amanda Landa, who was leading the first screening, created the committee for these events with other professors after hearing about the success of it for other universities. The idea was to give the students an experience with these older films that they never could have had.
“I do love the idea of having more screenings on campus where people can watch in a community, because, as much as, I mean, of course, you can still get the same value of watching something at home or by yourself or with just a couple of people. It’s totally different when you watch it in a big, dark auditorium, especially older films,” said Landa.
Senior RTF major Kahleem Morris came into this wanting that experience. Having first seen “Jaws” when he was three years old and loving it since, the prospect of watching it with a new crowd was compelling.
“I don’t think I’ve ever watched ‘Jaws’ with a new audience. So kind of like hearing a little gasp and stuff like that. I kind of was hoping to hear, which I did hear, so excited about that,” said Morris.
In addition to gaining that theater experience with older films, there is a lot to be learned from them. Landa, going in, had a few things to hammer into the audience to set the stage. Mentioning the difficult production, the tensions on and off the camera, and Spielberg’s expert shooting of the movie.
Landa wanted students to get something out of the viewing, regardless of whether it was their first watch or a rewatch.
“If they haven’t seen it, just thinking about how fun and great it is, the dialogue. If they have seen it, maybe they noticed something that they never had before,” said Landa.
Junior RTF major Nicholas Koodray didn’t have anything specific he wanted to learn. Fortunately, he came away with new insights about the movie. This was Koodray’s first time watching “Jaws,” and he found it interesting to learn and pick up on everything it had to offer.
“The different shots, I didn’t even notice. I wasn’t paying attention. I didn’t realize that the longest shot was over two minutes long. I didn’t even notice until afterwards. So it’s cool to point out the things of cinema that were very intentional,” said Koodray.
After the screening was finished, Landa brought it all together with a post-discussion. Allowing students to express themselves about what they noticed in the movie. Then, taking the time to discuss the specifics that made the movie the classic it has become. Highlighting the shots and improvisation of the famous “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” scene. Additionally, she explains the tensions that gave way to the chemistry found between the three leading men in the second and third acts.
Junior psychology major Gabriela Tropeano likes dissecting horror films, so this drew her into the screening. Specifically, enjoying looking into a movie and how it makes people feel. The discussions for Tropeano were found to be helpful.
“I really enjoy learning about, for a lack of a better word, subliminal things that they tried to add in there to the viewer to feel a certain way. Especially with the music or certain cuts and things like the dolly zoom. I really did understand that was like a sinking feeling,” said Tropeano.
This type of reaction was what Landa was striving for when setting up to screen this movie.
“The way that Spielberg shoots it is so well, expertly done, but it doesn’t call attention to itself. So I feel like a lot of times we’re sitting there and watching, we’re just enjoying it, but like, really, there’s so much mastery that he’s doing that’s almost invisible,” said Landa.
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