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UTVS to kick off fall season
By Jason Corn
Published:
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Take the number of Friday the 13th movies, add the number of Major League movies, subtract the number of Nightmare on Elm Street movies, multiply by the number of Land Before Time movies and divide by the number of Back to the Future Movies. (Hint: The answer is a Molly Ringwald classic.)
That was an actual question on a questionnaire handed out by campus television's "Back to the Movies" at its first meeting this week. Like many organizations across campus, University Television met for the first time September 8th.
One of the biggest shows to kick off the station's fall programming season is a veteran now, coming into its third strong season of regular airing.
"Back to the Movies," a review and commentary show about new and classic movies, is a staple of the network's line up and is preparing to tape their season premiere set to air September 26th. A big challenge this year for executive producer Erin Kolodzne was filling the two host slots that are the glue of the operation.
Auditions for those two critical jobs was definitely the draw to this debut get-together, and all involved enjoyed the often hysterical one-liners and witty improvisational techniques displayed throughout the tryouts.
Despite most having no intention of auditioning, many of the 25 or so in attendance gave it a go in the hot seat.
They reviewed Bruce Almighty, Pirates of the Caribbean and one pair did an overrated/underrated movie discussion that was absolutely brilliant. Sixteen candidates competed for the two spots, and regardless of the results (which have not yet been released) all will play an active and regular role in the show's upcoming season.
This influx of new talent and youth provide not only enthusiasm, but also fresh ideas for new segments and spots that will fit nicely into the diverse style of the show.
Many of the newcomers arrived with ideas that had probably been brewing around for a while, ideas that they'll now have the chance to organize into personal masterpieces.
While executing an imaginative brainstorm/introduction session, Kolodzne wittingly drove home the point that "'Back to the Movies' is my baby and I've put a lot of time and effort into it. That's what I want all of you here to do, to come up with a segment or idea that is cinematically creative, and be willing to put the time and energy into it, effectively making it yours."
This is Kolodzne's fourth year at St. Cloud and she's professionally blossomed nicely, really coming into her own in a high-drama and scrutinized media field that demands her constant attention. Among her accomplishments so far, producing the "Sam and Ken Show" ranks among her favorites. The original, yet Wayne's-Worldish movie review show is the show's (and perhaps the network's) crown jewel. It's great entertainment and is a must-catch on campus channel 7 (Astound channel 21).
The crew for "Back to the Movies," and for the network as a whole, is in dedicated and competent hands which master the maze of wires, knobs, lights and switches with flawless ease. Kolodzne is assisted for the second straight year by assistant producer Colleen O'Shaughnessy. O'Shaughnessy and Kolodzne have dynamite chemistry, a byproduct of the hours of time they've put into the show together.
"I'm pretty much Erin's arms and legs in the studio and behind the scenes. It's my job to make things run smooth, and have people and things where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there," O'Shaughnessy said.
As the duos of randomly paired hopeful hosts shuffled on and off the studio's set, O'Shaughnessy's there to hook 'em up and untangle them from mics and earpieces. She's also in the control booth directly communicating with them, and at least some credit has to be given to her for making the antsy and nervous auditioners visibly settle down and relax after 30 seconds or so.
"My first priority for this show is quality and content. Quality TV is the biggest thing I'm striving for," Kolodzne said.
UTVS' studios are located in Stewart Hall, and they welcome droppers-by who have input, feedback or questions. "Cartoon Nation," "Monday Night Live," "Groove" and local news round out UTVS' production and schedule block.
It's good sleep TV and keeps you informed, so check local times and listings for UTVS.
"Back to the Movies" premieres Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m. Charter channel 7, (Astound channel 21).
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