Thanks to the Ohio University campus representative, students get to see Universal Pictures’ films before they premiere nationwide
Comedian Amy Schumer’s star-turning role in Trainwreck debuted nationwide July 17 to critical success and praise.
Ohio University had already known of her and the film’s charm since April.
The Athens area was given the chance to screen the Judd Apatow-produced comedy months in advance thanks to OU’s campus representative for Universal Pictures, which produced the film.
“It’s a fun job,” said Garrett Haptonstall, a senior studying management information systems.
This paid position asks Haptonstall to create buzz around upcoming Universal films. He books free, advanced screenings and gives away free apparel, posters and other promotional items.
“It’s an easy sale,” he said with a laugh. “Everybody wants free stuff or to see a free movie.”
Universal also has campus representatives at Kent State University, Northwestern University, Stanford University and more.
Typically, one film is screened per semester at The Athena Cinema, though in the spring of 2015, two films were shown. Previous titles include Unfriended, Dumb and Dumber To and Neighbors.
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“Although the films aren't the usual art house or independent programming we show at the theater, we are always looking for ways to get students in the door to the theater and getting an opportunity to show them what else we offer,” Alexandra Kamody, operations director of the theater, said in an email. “We hope that by attracting students to see the free admission Universal Pictures premiere releases, they will be introduced to the Athena and some of our other programming.”
Universal picks which films Haptonstall can screen based on the area’s demographic and the film’s release date.
More than 200 people attended both the Trainwreck and Dumb and Dumber To premieres, making Haptonstall have to turn some away once the theater reached capacity. Haptonstall added that the premiere of Neighbors had the longest line, which stretched back to the Wendy’s on Court Street.
After the premieres, Haptonstall reports to his supervisor information, such as the number of attendees and the scenes people laughed at the most.
As the only representative for the studio at OU, Haptonstall is the go-to guy for collecting the free promotional items, which he said he has available on a weekly basis.
He takes to Twitter, the only social media he uses, at the handle @UniversalPicsOU to inform his followers when tickets are available or where they can snag the free promotional items.
Sometimes, Haptonstall will set himself up on College Green, ask for a retweet or even create a small scavenger hunt for people to find their tickets. For instance, before the Unfriended screening, he hid a few tickets in the basement of Copeland Hall.
Krista Thomason stumbled upon the Twitter account in spring of 2014 and has since followed it for updates.
“I think it’s cool because we get to see the movies early before everyone else so you feel special,” the junior studying meteorology said. “I know a lot of kids are tight on money and this gives them something fun to do. … You just go on Court (Street) and see a free movie that’s really close and released early. It’s really convenient.”
As of press time, Haptonstall did not yet know which films will be screened this academic year.
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