I do not begrudge James Rosenberg his ignorance about the Film Series (“Film Series flaws,” Sept. 23, 2008, Volume CXLIV, Number 7) — hey, all of us are here to learn something we didn’t already know, right? Here are a few of the things James seems not to know:
-That 35mm always looks better than even the best modern digital formats, but especially DVD (something I’d be happy to demo for him anytime).
-That film-based exhibition is a historical and aesthetic tradition we are committed to uphold, and Wesleyan is one of the few college campuses equipped to do so.
-That many of the films we show are only available on film formats — either because of their obscurity or their recentness, two qualities that Wesleyan audiences seems to appreciate.
-That the prints “AMC Theaters” and their ilk use are brand-new and uncut, whereas (because we’re a non-theatrical exhibitor) we frequently must make do with “sloppy seconds” or brittle vintage pieces.
-That the Film Series projection booth is proudly staffed by Wesleyan students, who work primarily for the experience and because of their love of film.
It is on this last point that I wish to dwell. Ignorance is one thing — insult is another. Were his just another in the long tradition of uninformed yet opinionated Wespeaks, I wouldn’t even bother responding. Leaving aside the observation that it is presumptuous for someone who has been on campus for a month to tell others what they “need” to be doing, Rosenberg’s greatest offense is the snide suggestion that the folks who run the Film Series lack “respect” for the audience and the films.
There is nothing wrong with holding high standards, but one must not assume that others do not share them — after all, when they are not projecting, projectionists are film viewers as well. Thus, when they are projecting, they are acutely aware of everyone that is being inconvenienced when the film is interrupted for any reason. Great pains are taken to minimize these interruptions — every reel of every Film Series print is inspected and repaired beforehand to the best of our ability, and the print always undergoes a test-run on the projectors before the crowd arrives. When problems occur, disappointment is understandable, but insulting those involved IS disrespectful.
At any time, I am happy to further enlighten Rosenberg or anyone else who would like to know more about Film Studies, the Film Series, or film projection.
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