Any on-campus student channel-surfing this month undoubtedly has caught a glimpse of “The Matrix: Reloaded”, “The Italian Job”, “Life is Beautiful” or “Mediterraneo” on a single channel. It’s not HBO. It’s Fairfield University’s own HAM Channel.
The HAM Channel has distinguished itself from the university’s other campus television channels by offering programming that is primarily for students’ entertainment purposes. Students are able to watch films without being subjected to annoying previews or a bombardment of commercials. Students generally are pleased with the features the HAM Channel shows. “I watched ‘The Usual Suspects’ seven times. I like that they [the movies] are on. It’s better than most programming,” says Adam Blom, ’05.
How is the HAM Channel able to show recent films before premium cable channels? It owes its thanks to Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., a public performance licenser. Swank holds the license for over a dozen major studios, including Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Miramax Films and several independent studios. The company caters not only to colleges but hospitals, correctional facilities and parks and recreation departments as well as offering a variety of movies, both old and new. People can visit Swank’s website (www.swank.com) to view the 200 most popular films ordered and find out when certain films will be available for campus viewing.
Currently, the Media Center pays Swank Motion Pictures $10,000 for the rights to 64 movies per academic year. The HAM Channel shows four feature films a month for eight months, and the other 32 selections are made by Fairfield University professors.
The contract is funded by the Media Center/HAM Channel budget and donations from Dr. Orin Grossman and Dean Timothy Snyder. “[The] faculty are using some great movies, and it’s understandable…it’s a way of addressing issues and approaching history not only on an intellectual level but an emotional level,” explains Karen Connolly, Writer and Producer for the Media Center.
Upon hearing that half of the contracted movies are selected by faculty for academic purposes, some students were displeased. “That’s incredibly inefficient,” says Nehemiah Ellison ’05. “We have a video store down the street. Rent out Canisius 6 and have a movie night.”
“They have rooms in the library for that specific purpose,” echoes Sarah Sheen, ’05. Six campus television channels show movies that several professors require for their classes.
When contacted, the corporation could not provide exact numbers, but the use of Swank Motion Pictures is widespread, with any campus that has a closed-circuit CTN (campus television network) eligible. Unfortunately, Fairfield University students that reside at the beach are unable to benefit from the HAM Channel’s contract with Swank, as they do not have access to Channel 64 off-campus.
Students are encouraged to visit the website and familiarize themselves with the selection of movies Swank offers. The HAM Channel provides a monthly programming guide to students informing them of the days, times and movies that will play for the month. Connolly says students are more than welcome to call the HAM Channel and offer movie selection suggestions, as “feedback is encouraged.”
Grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy.
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