Cinema Series serves as a ‘big win’ for those who come 

By Zhenya Townley | Online + Design editorEvery August and December, communication professor Matthew Buzzell finds himself in New York City. His mission is to find films to bring back to Augusta University to show at the Cinema Series during the semester. Buzzell watches three films a day for five days. It is an undertaking, but he is thrilled to do it. With him, he brings back a select queue of films that he believes will prompt the students and audience in discussion. After all, that is the mission of the Cinema Series.On average, the Cinema Series shows two films a month, and each film presents its own message. While some films may be alike in material, others are purely for the imaginative minds that take a seat either during the 1 p.m. or 7 p.m. show.The first showing of the semester was "Pete's Dragon". While the 2016 Disney film was not the most usual choice to start the series, it did serve as an icebreaker for what was to come later in the evening. Following the 1 p.m. show, the audience gathered in the theatre again for an evening screening of the critically acclaimed film, "A Ghost Story". While both films are on the opposite sides of the spectrum, they are produced by the same person. Originally, it was planned for producer Toby Halbrooks to make an appearance and participate in a Q&A session with the film's viewers. However, he was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. That did not stop the audience from gathering on the portico to talk about what they had just seen.“'A Ghost Story' was a tremendous turnout,” said Buzzell. “To see all those young people gathered in the lobby and out on the portico after the screening discussing the film; that’s the big win.”  Dating back to the 1970’s, the Monday Night Film Series, as it was formally called, showed films at the Maxwell Theatre. Later, they were screened on 16mm film in Butler Hall, a building that is no longer erect. While in high school, Buzzell would see these films. In turn, this experience changed his life’s course.After living in California for some time, he came back to Augusta. The Monday Night Film Series was still taking place, and it was being shown in University Hall. However, the technical presentation was frequently compromised by faulty equipment. Under Buzzell’s care and guidance, the films were moved back to Maxwell Theatre for a better curation. He took it upon himself to ‘rebrand and rebuild', as he puts it.As of now, the big picture for the Cinema Series is to have more films shown, additional guests, and to have more of an event-based schedule.“The budget has not grown in any significant way,” Buzzell said. “I have to be very creative.”Although limitations might exist, students still see The Cinema Series as a cause worthy of celebrating. Seniors Drew Thomas and Cynthia Panzella are two of the top filmmaking students in the Communication Department. The Cinema Series has inspired them to step back and take a look at the power of a film.“A good film should make you think,” Thomas said. “Professor Buzzell’s goals are always aiming towards that.”“The Cinema Series helped me to grow,” Panzella said in agreement. “I considered films an art form that I can pursue.”The Cinema Series serves as a conduit of creative communication to Augusta University and its patrons. Films such as the upcoming screening of "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave" in celebration of Halloween on Sat., Oct. 28, give way to the trajectory of where the Cinema Series is headed.“I love being the director of the Cinema Series,” Buzzell stated. “The most important thing is that it brings me a lot of joy.”Contact Zhenya Townley at ztownley@augusta.edu.
      

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