Get Involved :: Action :: Organize a Film Screening
Organize a film screening
 Want to make a difference on your campus or in your community? Organizing a movie screening can be a great way to develop personal leadership, demonstrate initiative, and educate your peers about an important issue. Start with these basic suggestions:
- Movie Selection - Pick a movie or documentary that you think has a positive message and/or will spark a good discussion about an interesting issue. If possible, watch the movie at least once by yourself or with a partner. Then, draft a list of discussion questions. Some documentaries already have study guides.
- Food - Depending on the time of day that you show the movie, you may want to provide snacks, beverages, or even a light meal. You want to keep people's energy level up, but you don't want them so full that they fall asleep. Try to find a nice balance by offering healthy choices. A way to pay for the food could be to ask for donations at the event to cover the costs of the food.
- Location - Pick a comfortable, quiet place to watch the movie. You do not want people walking in and out or the sound of a phone ringing to interrupt your event. Reserve a room on campus well in advance. Make sure you're getting a room that is AV-equipped. Some schools require that you get permission to use copyrighted films.
- Promotion - Make a flyer, poster and/or email to advertise your event. Be sure to include the title of the movie, a one to two sentence description of the movie, as well as the date, time, and place where it will be shown. Ask people to R.S.V.P., so you know how many people are coming and have enough space and food.
- At the Event - Begin by introducing yourself and thanking everyone for coming. Let them know about the food provided and where the restrooms are located. Inform people that there will be a discussion after the movie. Prepare a sign-up sheet in advance and pass it around. Ask for their name, email address, and phone number. Explain that they do not have to sign the sheet if they do not want to. Also, let them know what you will do with their information, such as contact them about any follow-up events. When the movie ends, it's time for you to start the discussion. Try to have people sit in a circle. Depending on the size of your group, it may be a good idea to have each person share a 1-2 minute immediate response to the film. If people do not know one another in the group, ask them to say their name when they begin speaking. As facilitator, it is your responsibility to maintain a respectful environment. Refer to your discussion questions and bring out the quiet people as necessary. Try to steer the conversation toward practical, action-oriented next steps. Take notes if necessary. Depending on the flow of the conversation, give the discussion at least 30 minutes before you draw it to a close. Encourage people to keep talking and thank them for coming again. Be sure to thank your host for the space and clean up before you leave.
Suggested discussion questions:
(some questions may not apply to certain films)
- What was your most/least favorite part about the film? Why?
- How can we relate this film's message to current global, national, and local events?
- Does this film prescribe some sort of solution to the problems it raises?
- Does anyone have any ideas about what we can do about [nuclear problem raised in film]?
- [If the movie was made more than 10 years ago.] Is the film still relevant today? [Lead into discussion about how it still might be, how we still are living in a nuclear age.]
Suggested Films:
Atomic Café (1982): A compilation of 1960's films about what to do in case of a nuclear attack, the effects of radiation, and how the U.S. government knowingly exposed our own troops to radiation during nuclear bomb tests.
The China Syndrome (1979): The story of how a TV news reporter (Jane Fonda) exposes a cover-up of a serious accident at a California nuclear power plant. Jack Lemmon plays a conflicted company executive and Michael Douglas co-stars as Fonda's cameraman. Days after the film's theatrical release the real Three Mile Island accident occurred.
The Day After Trinity (1980): Academy Award nominated documentary on the making of and testing of the first atomic device. The film includes interviews with many of the major figures from the Manhattan Project. Paul Frees - whose voice coldly announced the end of the world in BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - narrates.
Fail-Safe (1964): When American nuclear bombers cannot be recalled from an erroneous attack order on Moscow, President Henry Fonda must take drastic Hotline action. Also starring Larry Hagman as the President's translator, Walter Matthau as a Hawkish policy analyst and Dan O'Herlihy as a Dovish general. A true classic and a wonderful companion piece to DR. STRANGELOVE.
On the Beach (1959): Australia is the last place on earth to feel the effects of radiation resulting from a nuclear war. This adaptation of Nevil Shute's novel focuses on townspeople and military personnel killing time until they die. When not going on recon cruises to San Francisco (where a crewman jumps ship to perish in his hometown), US submarine commander Gregory Peck romances Aussie local Ava Gardner. Cynical scientist Fred Astaire drinks, smokes and commits suicide by race car. Remade for cable in 2000.
War Game (1965): A still shocking 48-minute documentary style depiction of life in Kent during and after an atomic attack. The film shows firestorms, food riots, street executions, and radiation sickness. Ironically, the BBC, which originally commissioned the film, refused to air it until 1985.
Get Involved :: Action :: Organize a Film Screening |
