Cinema Club premieres

Ariana Campbell / Roundup

Weeks of anticipation drew more than 50 students to the firstever Cinema Club meeting on Sept. 15 at 7p.m. in the Great Hall, where they learned various facts of film and the viewed a screening of “Casablanca.”

The 1942 film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman won three Academy Awards including best picture, making it the film of choice for the first meeting.

Some of the activities included in the club’s agenda are creating motion pictures, watching films, participating in film festivals, and having guest speakers from the Hollywood entertainment industry share their stories are some of the many activities set on the club’s agenda.

Jennifer Penton, assistant professor of cinema and faculty advisor to the club, received her Master of Fine Arts degree in film from the University of California Berkley with emphasis in experimental animation.

Penton hopes to share her love and knowledge of films to students by allowing them to view as many movies as possible.

“We picked Casablanca because it is an Academy Award winning classic,” Penton said. “ I want members to learn about American, as well as international films”. Her goal for the club is to pass on her knowledge of cinema so that members will be successful in the industry and eventually thrive in future careers.

“Members do not have to be interested in employment in the film industry to join the club, however, if they are interested I would like them to learn all they can and network so they can find good jobs within the industry.”

The club is open to cinema majors and Pierce students who have paid.

One of the members, Kris Caballero, who is a Film/Video Production major, agreed that hosting this kind of club would be a great opportunity’ when approached by Penton with the idea to start the club, Cabellero’s response was a positive one.

“When she said she wanted to host a Cinema Club, that really got my attention,” said Cabellero.

Caballero was one of the many students who had a positive reaction to the outcome of the meeting.

“I did not know what to expect at first; I thought the film and the club would be boring, but the film was very comedic and interesting. I think the club has a lot to offer,” said Betty Varela, a student at Pierce College. “I think it’s really exciting to have a club where you can learn about different aspects of film, and really have a voice in determining activities for the club.”

For more information about the Cinema Club contact Penton at: PentonJK@ piercollege.edu or at (818) 710-2961.