Historically, film clubs at NIC have not been able to stand strong on their own. This semester, that reputation is going to change.
The North Idaho College Film Club is making a comeback, and will make some significant changes to their screenings, according to club president, TJ Gossard, who made the announcements at the club’s first screening of the semester last week.
The biggest change involves relocating screenings, which have traditionally been held in the Student Union Building (SUB), to the Coeur d’Alene Library Community Room. Gossard says the SUB is not designed to screen films, but the library is better equipped.
“There’s a great setup for movies. They have surround sound, a very big screen, like, actual movie-theater sized, and they have a projector that can handle HD.”
Gossard also hinted at future perks for club participants.
“We are going to get ASNIC approved Film Club participation certificates, so you can add to your resume if you’re involved with productions we do.”
This is not the first film club to make its start at NIC. According to the club’s vice president, Leo Schnepf, it is the only one so far that has the potential to stick.
“They were trying to do too much,” said Schnepf. “Our vision wasn’t for this to be just an NIC club. It’s for it to be a community service.”
The club has even gone a step further than screening movies.
“Some of our other purposes are to, eventually, start making short films and promoting film production in Coeur d’Alene,” said Schnepf.
Club members, Jess Howell, John “Risky” Boltz, and Gossard, along with DeLonso Pleasant, directed, wrote, and acted in their own short film, “Writer’s Block”, which will premiere on September 22 before the club’s screening of “A Clockwork Orange”.
“It’s about a guy who’s having writer’s block, and he’s trying various methods to try and get out of it,” said Gossard.
“The trailer is definitely a Risky Boltz style,” said Schnepf. “He’s got a good aesthetic. That’s one of the things I admire about him in his filmmaking. ”
According to Schnepf, the club aims to make up for a lack of variety from mainstream Coeur d’Alene screenings.
“I think the theaters are supposed to serve everyone. And they only serve what a business thinks Idaho is around here.”
The club estimates average attendance to be between 25-30 people per screening, though it predicts that range could jump to 50-80 people post-relocation.
Film club screenings are open to the community, and those in attendance need not be students at NIC. Food will be provided.
