This Thursday, October 20th, will mark Film Clubs’ first meeting, where they will watch the original Space Jam.
Two years ago, Film Club was created at Hastings Senior High and sponsored by Eric Garchow who also teaches German. The club takes place every other Thursday, where students and faculty members can come together to watch movies.
“It’s probably one of the more laid-back clubs. Like you just want to show up and watch the movie, that’s all you have to do. If you want to stick around afterward, sometimes we talk about the movie or talk about a film we want to watch later on. We do that as well, but yeah, if you want to chill out and watch a cool movie with good people, I think that’s what is best about it,” Garchow said.
Clubs and other activities at Hastings High are a way to bring the bond between students, staff, and the school closer to each other. They are creating new relations and something for students to do after school that makes them more involved.
“Just giving them a connection outside of the school day. Then give them a place to hang out with students with the same interests as them,” Tracy Douglas, head of the activities board, said.
With such a peculiar topic to have a club at school, a common question could be why Hastings High has a Film Club.
“Well like any club, it’s just recognizing a need. Students enjoy watching movies and talking about them.” Douglas said.
With the addition of the Film Club to the school, similar activities could be placed elsewhere around the country.
“I think any school would do great to have a film club or film appreciation, something along those lines. I think movies are a great way to tell a story; you can mix everything together, visual aspects, special effects, music, dialogue, and character stuff, and just tell great stories,” Garchow said.
Film club typically has a dozen or so audience members to watch movies, which could lead to a larger audience with its potential as a club.
“I can see kids, once they graduate, moving on into colleges or careers that are a part of the production, all the different aspects of making movies. It could lead them to successful careers that they can branch off of their experience with the Film Club,” Douglas said.
Any establishment, whether it is a club or an activity, can not reach its goals without a strong coach, sponsor, or leader. The person overseeing the activity has to be just as committed or more than the participants.
“I really like movies, and I think it’s cool that kids who haven’t maybe met each other before come and meet and hang out and see some pretty cool movies and maybe just get more interested in film and how great of a way telling stories it can be. I guess it is always the same two things, making friends and finding things you are interested in, and I like to help kids find that for themselves,” Garchow said.
