VCTV screens weekly shows on campus

Deborah Temkin A&E Editor

Television is the answer to a procrastinator’s prayer. What better way to prevent working on that ten page paper than going and watching your favorite television show with your friends? Now every Thursday, you have a new mode of distraction: VCTV showing night.

Vassar College Television (VCTV), according to G. Scott Johnston ’07, its president, is “an outlet for people to have entertainment and to create their own.” Together, the group films various shows in and around campus to screen at a later date. The filming and editing time turnaround has previously prevented the club from having more than one showing a semester. This year, however, the group will begin screening television shows on DVDs each week to maintain an audience for when they do have their own shows to screen. “Each screening will last about two hours and will include our shows when we have one…We will also have a marathon a month, showing several hours of a particular show or of a theme. One member wants to have a ‘Speed Racer’ and ‘Ninja Turtles’ marathon, for instance.”

Not every television show will be able to be screened, however. The DVD sets will be taken solely from the personal collections of the 12 members of VCTV, and thus it is not guaranteed that there will be a wide variety of shows. As Johnston said, “Admittedly, at least one person in the club will have to like the show, which does create some bias in the screenings.” Still, if the first screening, where they will be showing “The Critic” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” is any indication of the events to follow, the shows will be popular and enjoyable.

The highlight of VCTV, however, is their homemade shows. Currently, the two main shows at VCTV are the political talk show “Touché”, hosted by Ethan Nguyen ’06 and Ian Saxine ’06, and the campus-life soap opera, “The Passionate and the Privileged.” Additionally, members often make shorts and other films. “Members simply have to present the idea for their show at our weekly meeting and we give them all the resources they need,” said Johnston.

VCTV is one of the easiest clubs to become a part of. According to Johnston, no experience is needed to participate in the making, editing, or screening of the individual shows that the club produces. “If someone just wants to come and help out with another show, that’s great, but they can bring their ideas to our meeting and have their own show. It’s a great way to learn about television and become accomplished in film,” said Johnston. Still, the easiest way to become invloved with VCTV is to catch them while they are filming and get on one of the various shows.

The screenings of the VCTV-made shows and the popular television shows will occur every Thursday at 8 p.m. The showing location will vary. The showing on Sept. 30 will be held in Rocky 200. Meetings for VCTV are open to the student population and take place Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in College Center 223. For more information email G. Scott Johnston at grjohnston@vassar.edu.