See Rings two days early!

There are many, many reasons you might want a break this week. So we have one for you – free passes to see the upcoming movie Rings two days early! The American remake of The Ring came out 15 years ago, back when most people probably had the means to watch a cursed videotape. This … Continue reading “See Rings two days early!”

There are many, many reasons you might want a break this week. So we have one for you – free passes to see the upcoming movie Rings two days early!

The American remake of The Ring came out 15 years ago, back when most people probably had the means to watch a cursed videotape. This time around, it looks like Samara’s video has ended up on YouTube. That’s probably way more efficient for cursing people. Although there are plenty of cursed videos on the internet already.

We have passes to see this movie tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 1st, at 7pm in Friendship Heights. We only have physical passes this time, so you’ll have to swing by the Media Services desk in the library to grab one. As always, keep in mind that advance screenings are intentionally overbooked. Show up early to guarantee a seat.

In College Park? Learn about the Coen brothers from an AU professor

Most people reading this blog are probably based in and around Tenleytown, but if you’re out in the ‘burbs, you have to a chance to hear an AU literature professor share their knowledge. Professor Erik Dussere (friend of Media Services) will be at the University of Maryland on Friday, November 18th for “Weird American Odysseys: … Continue reading “In College Park? Learn about the Coen brothers from an AU professor”

Most people reading this blog are probably based in and around Tenleytown, but if you’re out in the ‘burbs, you have to a chance to hear an AU literature professor share their knowledge.

Professor Erik Dussere (friend of Media Services) will be at the University of Maryland on Friday, November 18th for “Weird American Odysseys: Music, Authenticity, and the Coen Brothers.” We don’t know exactly what that entails, but since it’s part of an event series with “Local Americanists,” you can probably figure out the themes Dussere will be touching on. (And with that title, O Brother, Where Art Thou? has to come up, right?)

The talk happens at 3:30pm Friday in UMD’s Tawes Hall, room 2115. We won’t be able to make it, but if you happen to live or work in the College Park area, swing by to hear some thoughts on the Coens. (As an editorial note, I’ve taken Professor Dussere’s course on the Coen brothers offered at American; you’re in for a treat.)

Come learn about Boyz n the Hood, “a film that changed America”

The AU Library’s ongoing Books that Shaped America series has highlighted some critical pieces of literature from American history. And now, finally, movies are getting their turn, too! Tomorrow, communication librarian Derrick Jefferson will host a discussion of Boyz n the Hood, John Singleton’s 1991 film about youth life in South Central LA. We’re excited … Continue reading “Come learn about Boyz n the Hood, “a film that changed America””

The AU Library’s ongoing Books that Shaped America series has highlighted some critical pieces of literature from American history. And now, finally, movies are getting their turn, too!

Tomorrow, communication librarian Derrick Jefferson will host a discussion of Boyz n the Hood, John Singleton’s 1991 film about youth life in South Central LA. We’re excited to see what Derrick has to say about this “film that changed America.” Event information is available here; the discussion runs 12-1pm tomorrow in the library’s Training and Events room.

It’d probably help if you’ve seen the movie in advance, so come to the Media Services desk to check out our copy! (Call number HU DVD 327*)

See The Accountant early and for free, with director Q&A!

We have more passes to see movies in advance this week – with a Q&A with the director! This time around, we have passes for a preview screening of The Accountant, the new Ben Affleck-fronted thriller with a title that doesn’t suggest that all. You’d normally have to wait until this hits theaters to see … Continue reading “See The Accountant early and for free, with director Q&A!”

We have more passes to see movies in advance this week – with a Q&A with the director!

This time around, we have passes for a preview screening of The Accountant, the new Ben Affleck-fronted thriller with a title that doesn’t suggest that all. You’d normally have to wait until this hits theaters to see whether a movie about an accountant could actually be exciting, but you can see it for free on Thursday, October 6th, at 7pm in Friendship Heights. Stick around afterwards for the Q&A with director Gavin O’Connor.

We only have physical copies of these passes, so you’ll need to swing by in person at the Media Serviecs desk to pick these up. As always, remember that these events are intentionally overbooked, so get there as early as you can to ensure that you get a seat.

SOC’s Media that Matter series kicks off with Thank You for Playing

Every semester, SOC’s Media that Matter film series highlights social issues as captured on the screen, from race issues in America to the ethics of food. It’s a very AU film series in the best way, and often, the screening includes a discussion with the filmmakers. Last semester, the series included a screening of Best … Continue reading “SOC’s Media that Matter series kicks off with Thank You for Playing”

Every semester, SOC’s Media that Matter film series highlights social issues as captured on the screen, from race issues in America to the ethics of food. It’s a very AU film series in the best way, and often, the screening includes a discussion with the filmmakers. Last semester, the series included a screening of Best Picture winner Spotlight and an interview with then-Boston Globe editor Martin Barton.

Media that Matter starts again this Wednesday with a screening of Thank You for Playing, a documentary about the development of the video game That Dragon, Cancer – an autobiographical game by Amy and Ryan Green about caring for their infant, who was diagnosed with cancer. That Dragon, Cancer is a raw, emotional experience to play, and Thank You for Playing looks at the people who chose to tell their story through an unexpected medium.

The screening begins at 6pm on Wednesday, September 14th, in the McKinley Building’s Forman Theater; the film will be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers led by AU Game Lab’s Lindsay Grace.

See Queen of Katwe for free TOMORROW!

One of the great perks of living in a major city is getting to see movies before they come out. This week, we have free passes to see Queen of Katwe, the upcoming biopic about Ugandan chess player Phiona Mutesi, weeks before it hits theaters! The screening is tomorrow, Monday, September 12th, as 7pm in … Continue reading “See Queen of Katwe for free TOMORROW!”

One of the great perks of living in a major city is getting to see movies before they come out. This week, we have free passes to see Queen of Katwe, the upcoming biopic about Ugandan chess player Phiona Mutesi, weeks before it hits theaters! The screening is tomorrow, Monday, September 12th, as 7pm in Friendship Heights.

To redeem your pass, visit SeeItFirst.net and enter the code 625515. You can redeem a pass for one or two people. These screenings are always intentionally overbooked to ensure a full house, so plan to show up early to ensure you get a seat.

The Media Services Pop-up Library hits the quad on Wednesday!

Our pop-up library from Spring 2015 with desk attendant Micah Welcome Week is underway! We’re happy to see campus buzzing again after the summer. We also know that there’s a whole lot of new people on campus who haven’t had a chance to explore the library yet. So we’re bringing the library to you! On … Continue reading “The Media Services Pop-up Library hits the quad on Wednesday!”

Our pop-up library from Spring 2015 with desk attendant Micah

Welcome Week is underway! We’re happy to see campus buzzing again after the summer. We also know that there’s a whole lot of new people on campus who haven’t had a chance to explore the library yet. So we’re bringing the library to you!

On Wednesday, August 24th at 4pm, we’re setting up a Media Services pop-up library on the quad. We’ll have a selection of new titles, classics, and television shows for checkout with your AU ID. It’s the end of summer, and we get that you want more quality time outside, so now you don’t even have to set foot in the library to learn about what we do.

We’ll see y’all on Wednesday!

Learn the secrets of directing from Adam Nimoy this Thursday

image via School of Communication website Maybe you’ve had to direct a student film for class. Exciting! But that means you have to direct people, and if you don’t have experience managing a set, you may be awkward to work with your actors without accidentally being a jerk. You need to learn the best way … Continue reading “Learn the secrets of directing from Adam Nimoy this Thursday”

image via School of Communication website

Maybe you’ve had to direct a student film for class. Exciting! But that means you have to direct people, and if you don’t have experience managing a set, you may be awkward to work with your actors without accidentally being a jerk. You need to learn the best way to communicate with your cast from the experts who have been there before – and who better than Hollywood royalty?

This Thursday, June 30th, the School of Communication will host Adam Nimoy, television director and son of actor Leonard Nimoy, for a masterclass on “Working with Actors.” We’ll quote the SOC description here:

One of the biggest complaints Nimoy would hear from actors on the set is that, “nobody talks to us,” except to say “move here, move there, faster, slower, louder, softer, cut, print, moving on!” This class is a way for directors to address some of those concerns and provide a deep dive into how to direct actors.

We won’t pretend to know what Nimoy does, but it sounds like there’s a lot more involved than just ordering your cast around really politely. You don’t appear to need to register in advance, so show up before 1pm on Thursday to hear sound advice from the son of Spock himself.

AFI Docs begins tonight with a Werner Herzog treat on Friday

AFI Docs has arrived! For one week every summer, the American Film Institute takes over DC, hosting five days of screenings for new documentaries and documentary shorts. AFI Docs attracts top talent from around the world – including, this year, a special event with Werner Herzog and his new film Lo and Behold. Tickets for … Continue reading “AFI Docs begins tonight with a Werner Herzog treat on Friday”

AFI Docs has arrived! For one week every summer, the American Film Institute takes over DC, hosting five days of screenings for new documentaries and documentary shorts. AFI Docs attracts top talent from around the world – including, this year, a special event with Werner Herzog and his new film Lo and Behold.

Tickets for Herzogpalooza are already sold out, but there are plenty of other documentaries to watch this week in downtown DC and Silver Spring. Highlights include…

  • The Man Who Saw Too Much, about a photojournalist who covered crime and tragedy in Mexico City for five decades.
  • Toucan Nation, which looks at toucan rehabilitation programs and animal welfare laws.
  • Sonita, the story of an aspiring rapper living in Iran, where women are not allowed perform music.
  • Obit, a behind-the-scenes look at the New York Times‘s obituary department.

The festival kicks off tonight with a screening of Zero Days, a new documentary from Alex Gibney (director of HBO’s Going Clear) about American Stuxnet virus reporetedly designed to attack Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Tickets cost around $12 each, the usual price for a high-end movie screening. See the AFI Docs website for a full list of what’s playing this week. Or you can get the official app!

See Inside Out tonight in Adams Morgan!

It’s been a while since we checked in with all the outdoor movie screenings happening in DC this summer. As it turns out, there’s one tonight! The Adams Morgan BID will be screening Inside Out tonight at the Marie Reed School Soccer Field, just a block or two away from Amsterdam Falafelshop. The movie starts … Continue reading “See Inside Out tonight in Adams Morgan!”

It’s been a while since we checked in with all the outdoor movie screenings happening in DC this summer. As it turns out, there’s one tonight!

The Adams Morgan BID will be screening Inside Out tonight at the Marie Reed School Soccer Field, just a block or two away from Amsterdam Falafelshop. The movie starts half an hour after sundown – which should be around 8:30 to 9-ish – and the first 50 attendees get free cookies courtesy of Tryst.

If you’re still riding the Pixar train after Finding Dory this weekend and need evening plans, why not swing by AdMo for Inside Out? If you leave near AU anyway, it’s convenient and, best of all, free!