Planes, Trains and A Streetcar named Desire

Various types of movies are featured in the 32nd Annual Winter Film Series

 

By Jenna Bishop

Staff Writer

 

 The Winter Film Series has been featuring a diverse group of films since Jan. 7 and will continue until April 21.  Every Monday at 7:15 p.m. the films will be held at the Michigan Theatre in Jackson. Professor David Debaker is showing these films as part of JCC’s English 210 Introduction to Film course.  The cost is $6 per person for some all around great films.

Debaker was kind enough to answer a couple of questions about the film series:

_____________ 

The Phoenix: First and foremost, why do you think it is relevant to teach Intro to Film?

David Debaker: It's all part of what college is all about, which is to make students strong critical thinkers. Film is an art form that encompasses many different art forms and so as you develop an appreciation for movies, it can increase your appreciation for other art forms. Mostly, the film class is practice for whatever career students are heading into. Every job out there involves looking at something, analyzing it, breaking it down, explaining things to peers, and using specific terms to their field. That's really what we're practicing in film class, critical thinking.

TP: Do the students in the Intro to Film class pick the featured films to be a part of the series?

DD: The students do not pick the films in the series because the films have to be picked before the class starts in order to start the booking process ahead of time.  The film series needs to be booked before the class starts so that I have an idea of what I am going to be using during the semester and that films can be locked in.

TP:  Then who does pick the films, and why?

DD:  I pick most of the films with input from the Michigan Theatre and help from some friends.  The main reason why I pick the films is that the film shown during a particular week has to match up well with the lesson for that week.  So, if we’re learning about film lighting, the film better have good examples of lighting or students won’t be learning much.  I also pick the films because we have a very tight budget for the films.  The films (with shipping cost figured in) are around $300-$400 each and I am responsible to keep the entire series under budget.

TP:  What role do the English 210 students play in the film series?

DD:  Their main role is to use the films to begin a greater understanding about movies.

TP:  The earliest film in your series is released in 1927, and your latest one is from just last year in 2007, what is that about?

DD:  I try to pick at least one film from different points in film history.  I like for students to see how film has changed yet remained the same over the years and by choosing films from different eras, it shows them that.

 TP:  Lastly, how has the turnout been at the Michigan Theatre thus far?

DD:  I’m not sure how well it is going to be this year because we’ve only shown a few.  I was pleased with the turnout at the first few films, though.

 

          For anyone interested in seeing any films from the Winter Film Series, you can catch the film descriptions at the JCC website at www.jccmi.edu.  Also, for any more questions,  e-mail Professor David Debaker at debaker70@comcast.net.