Students who missed their chance to see their films on the big screen this past semester might get a second chance.
Thanks to the success of the first Open Projector Night, the Athena Cinema, 20 S. Court St., is bringing the event back for a new show this semester.
Hosted once again by Joe Lalonde and Patrick White, members of OU Improv, the two comedians will comment and riff on the submissions entered in the contest.
“I couldn’t picture this event happening without Patrick White and Joe Lalonde,” said Chelsea Kardos, employee of the Athena Cinema and member of OU Improv. “They have a really great chemistry on stage together and are able to give constructive criticism in a way that the audience and filmmaker can’t help but be bellied over in hilarity.”
Like the past event, the winner of the contest will be determined based on an applause-o-meter, or which film gets the loudest response from the crowd.
“I hope people come out of the theater with a sense of pride after seeing some of the truly awesome and inspired work coming out of our area,” White said. “Of course there is always weird or bad stuff, but this is a training ground that could possibly produce some of the big cinematic auteurs of the future, and that is exciting.”
Submissions for the show will need to be brought in between 6 and 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 30. The prizes are yet to be determined.
“The most fun part of doing this is being part of the show and watching the films for the first time, like the audience,” Lalonde said.
Filmmakers interested in being a part of the show must present a film that is eight minutes or fewer on either a Blu-ray or a DVD. Only one film per person may be entered and all entrees for the show must be submitted before the show begins at 7 p.m.
The show will be one of four Open Projector Nights planned for this semester, with the other shows being held on Feb. 27, March 27 and April 24, all at 7 p.m.
Lalonde and White plan on hosting the other shows as well, though they hope that in the future, more of their cast-mates will be involved.
“Joe and I were initially approached to be reoccurring hosts, but since OU Improv is a large group, I really wanted to give the other members a chance to emcee as well,” White said. “I enjoy hosting, but I’d like to see some of our other players get on stage, as a lot of them are experienced stand-up veterans. And they all have better hair and smiles than I do.”
All the material performed on stage by the comedians will be unscripted, much like last time. No material or skits will be planned out beforehand.
“We’re representing OU Improv, so I think the audience expects us to riff off of each other. I’m also a lot more comfortable doing improv than sketch, because I’m bad at remembering lines or stage directions,” White said. “You just get up there and make up stuff with your friends until you find something funny, and it’s really interactive and exciting.”
The Athena Cinema noted that only the first 10 submissions will be featured in the contest, and that those slots will fill up quickly.
“By hosting a unique event like Open Projector, the Athena Cinema hopes to present the audience (with) not only entertainment, but more importantly the opportunity to see work produced by some of Athens’ best artists,” Kardos said.
“There is a lot of talent on this campus and, finally, students and the community have an outlet in which they can present it.”
wa054010@ohiou.edu
