What is Film Board?

The Michigan Tech Film Board is the student group behind the movies that are shown in Fisher 135. These movies are presented every weekend (when there are classes or exams the following week) during the fall and spring semesters. There are over 30 members who choose movies, and show them to the Michigan Tech community.

The Film Board was founded in 1986. It was formerly known as the MTU Film Co-op and served as a liaison between the film companies and student organizations to bring films to the Michigan Tech campus. This served as a primary fund-raiser for many student organizations on campus.

Prior to 1986, movies were ordered and proctored by student organizations until it became too difficult to coordinate movie ship dates and payment schedules. It became clear that a medium had to be established to negotiate movie contracts with the film companies and collect payments. The Film Board was established to serve this purpose. The Film Board consisted of six members and one advisor when it was established.

The Film Board contracted movies for the term and student organizations were to bid on which movie they would sponsor. Typically, the movie with the highest foreseeable profits was the first one to go. By the time the last movies of the term were up for bids, it was questionable whether or not these films would even turn a profit. Inevitably, the organizations that selected these movies backed out on their sponsorship at the last minute, realizing that losing money on a movie was not conducive to a good fund-raising campaign. Many of these movies turned out to be unprofitable, and it was the Film Board that was responsible for footing the bill by virtue of its contract with the film distributor. In 1989, the Film Board submitted its only budget request to the Undergraduate Student Government requesting funding for a new projector, paying off its debts, and allowing $1000 seed money to get the Board started. The Film Board was founded as a not for profit organization.

Since 1989, the Film Board at Michigan Tech has grown immensely. The Board now consists of 30 members and two advisors, has a structured leadership conduct and a constitution. It has a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Chair, Equipment Supervisor, and a Web Page Chair. The Board trains its own projectionists, selects and orders all of its own campus film features, and has all of its own equipment. The Board has contributed over $3000 to local charities since its reorganization. The Board uses its net ticket proceeds for maintaining and upgrading its equipment, Board functions, and serving students and the community through contributions to charities and sponsorship of campus events.

During the summer of 1999, the Film Board upgraded all of its equipment with the help of the Undergraduate Student Government. Fisher 135 is now the best theater in the Copper Country, with a large 35 mm picture and awesome Dolby Digital sound. Altogether, the upgrade cost approximately $60,000.

After the upgrage The Film Board was approched to showing free movies a lot more often. For the money nessisary for showing these movies such as: the freshman orientation film, Winter Carnival film, and the study break block buster film, as well as the funds to fix and maintain equipment The Film Board turned to USG. The Film Board began submiting regular budgets to USG.

What kind of equipment does the Film Board have?

The Film Board has a 35mm Simplex projector with a Strong Lume-X 2000 watt lamphouse and a Dolby Digital sound processor at the heart of its system. A modern three stack platter system takes up and pays out film during each show, feeding it through the projector. Sound is transmitted through many speakers. There is a main voice channel speaker, as well as a left and right speaker to carry most of the music. A left and right sub deliver all the necessary bass. Finally there are several speakers mounted all around the theater to provide the Dolby Digital experiance.

How are movies picked?

Four times a year, the board meets to determine which movies to show for the next six weeks. These movies are picked from a list issued by the distributor, Swank Motion Pictures, Inc. The board selects movies based on box office performance and its probable performance on this campus. Organizations that wish to show other movies are welcome to enter a contract with the board to present them. Individuals wishing to have a say about the choices of the board should investigate joining the Film Board.

How do i join?

Joining is simple. Membership is capped at 40 people. Simply look at the members page. If there are any openings, then come to the next meeting. Meetings are held on Tuesday's in room 133 of Fisher Hall, at 6:05. Get an application and fill it out. Come to the next meeting for an interview. If the Film Board likes what you have to offer, you will become a member.