As May draws near, the Media Center is preparing to hold its fourth annual Cinefest Fairfield: A one night showcase of the most exemplary student work produced in the past school year. Every year, Cinefest shows a range of short films from senior capstones to those made in film making classes to short animated, live action or experimental pieces.
“It’s been great,” said Fr. Jim Mayzik, director of the New Media program, who feels that the Community Theater created the “right atmosphere” for the event. For Mayzik, this atmosphere has been as a result of having the film festival somewhere off-campus.
This atmosphere, however, does not come without a price. Mayzik said that within the last two years, attendance at Cinefest has gone up and caused the 350 seat theater to fill up very quickly, leaving many standing in the back. He also says that there is a chance Cinefest has outgrown the theater and may be looking for a new home in the Quick Center on campus soon.
Recently, the University purchased a high-definition projector to show live broadcasts of performances from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City at the Quick Center. Mayzik said that the projector’s picture quality is beautiful and will be ideal for showing student’s work.
Mayzik said that most students shoot their films using high-definition cameras and playing them using a high-definition projector would only make the films better to watch. In addition, the Media Center is purchasing Blu-Ray DVD burners which will allow students to put their films on high-definition Blu-Ray DVDs to play in the best possible quality at Cinefest, as well as for home viewing.
Mayzik also pointed out that by using the Quick Center, Cinefest will have the room it needs to grow by having a much larger seating capacity than the Community Theater. The Quick Center holds around 700 viewers, double that of the Community Theater.
This move to the Quick Center is only in the realm of possibility now. Mayzik said that they have to see if the Media Center can get the space for next year.
“I do believe [the move to the Quick Center] would be a good thing because it would be an all weekend event and more students on campus would attend.” said Bob Cammisa ’10, a film major who is submitting two films to the 2008 Cinefest.
Students who said that they did not attend previous Cinefest showings said that they would more than probably attend it, if the event were held on campus.
“Yes, I am more likely to go if it is at the Quick Center,” said Meg McAnaney ’10, who has never attended any previous Cinefests. Students who are not in the New Media program see the possible move as a good one. Corey Dennis’10 said, “It would be great to have a whole weekend event. Maybe they could fit in more films.” As for this year though, Cinefest will be at the Community Theater and take place on Thursday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m.
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