UN students get their lecture kicks at the flicks

Grab the popcorn – students are enjoying big screen showings after the University of Northampton secured the use of a cinema for lectures.

Undergraduates on the Film and Screen Studies degree course are now enjoying seminars and screenings at the Errol Flynn Filmhouse, in Northampton, allowing them to see movies as directors intended – on the giant screen.

“This is an exciting opportunity for students, enabling them to study films within the environment of their reception, while also providing them with an invaluable insight into industry practices,” said Dr Michael Starr, Lecturer in Film and Screen Studies BA.

“Our students also have the chance to have the films they make screened at the Errol Flynn, as part of the annual Film Northants 2015 festival. They are often quite overwhelmed to see their work on the big screen.”

Film and Screen Studies and Media student, Sebastian Gabor, added: “To have lectures in a cinema is totally different, is very engaging and spices up every class. It really gets you into the topic and gives you a much better perspective of what you’re studying – you get to see films the way they should be seen.”

The Film Analysis module examines a fascinating selection of film texts drawn from different genres, stylistic traditions, and historical periods, introducing students to a range of filmmaking practices and interpretive approaches.

Titles studied over the academic year include romantic comedy Legally Blonde, martial arts movie Kung Fu Hustle, animated Israeli documentary film Waltz with Bashir, the Hollywood musical Singin’ in the Rain, and Russian art film The Mirror.

In addition to studying in the cinema, students are encouraged to consider the challenges surrounding film exhibition and curation, and plan their own film seasons as part of the innovative module.

The seminars in the cinema are the latest in a series of collaborations between the Film and Screen Studies department and the Filmhouse, including a popular monthly cult film night and question and answer discussions with industry professionals.

A short film about the seminars can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlzMXEt-oz0

For information about Film & Screen Studies at the University, visithttps://www.northampton.ac.uk/study/courses/courses-by-subject/media/film-and-screen-studies-joint-honours-babsc-hons.

For more information about the Errol Flynn Filmhouse, visit www.errolflynnfilmhouse.com​