New films director needed

Union Board announced last week that it is now taking applications for the newly vacant position of films director, to be filled by the end of the month. Any student is eligible and can pick up an application from the Union Board office, which is located in Room 270 of the Indiana Memorial Union. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday.\nThe films director is responsible for the weekly Union Board film series in the Whittenberger Auditorium, and special events throughout the year. The regular series offers two showings of recently-released films every Thursday night for $1, and Friday and Saturday night for $2. \nAdmission requires a valid student ID. Special events have recently included sneak previews and presentations by guest speakers.\n"Within the last year or two we've hosted lectures by film critics from Chicago in cooperation with the film studies department," said Ken House, interim director of the Union Boars films committee. \n"We also present, on average, three or four sneak previews each semester. We've had some really good movies here; one sneak comes to mind that was almost too successful. Last year we previewed 'Dogma' and had 500 people show up on one night. The auditorium only seats a little over 400."\nStudents seem to like the idea of catching movies in a convenient location at a bargain price, House said. He added the film series usually attracts 800 to 900 people weekly.\nThis comes as no surprise to Union Board President Mike Gosman, a senior, who is enthusiastic about the role the films committee plays within the IU community.\n"The weekly film series offers a chance to see great movies, often right out of the theater, at a discounted price. For most students, it's also close to home," Gosman said. "The sneak previews we present are a major attraction as well. They keep us on the edge of what's new."\n Last week, Union Board had an advance screening of "This Is Spinal Tap," a 1984 mock documentary that follows the reunion tour of an aging heavy metal band. The cult classic will soon be re-released nationwide.\nTaking the reins of the films committee will mean more than an opportunity to bring entertainment to campus, said Vaughn Allen, director of public relations for Union Board. It will also be a chance to gain an insider's understanding of film promotion and other important business skills.\n"The films director works with a committee of about seven people to choose and promote films for the upcoming season," Allen said. "There is some direct contact with industry folks, especially in setting up sneak previews. They're as interested as we are in getting the films out there and seeing how successful they are before they release them to the general public.\n"The Union Board is a great place to work, and a lot of fun. Being a committee director is absolutely one of the best managerial experiences on campus."\nHouse said he agrees the job is a valuable training tool. "You have to work with all kinds of people, like cashiers and projectionists," he said. "It's great work for someone looking to go into small business."\nThe film series will have a sneak preview of director Robert Redford's "The Legend of Bagger Vance," starring Will Smith and Matt Damon, at 7 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Whittenberger Auditorium. The movie, which is slated for release Nov. 3, will be free with a valid IU ID.