Yoshikami pledges enthusiasm, student involvement for the new IU Cinema

Round two of the search for an IU Cinema director continued Friday in the Indiana Memorial Union’s Solarium.

Guests enjoyed complementary hot cider, various fruits and Brie cheese as Greg Waller, professor of communications and culture, introduced the second candidate in a series of four to speak.

“This is part of the exciting process of getting the IU cinema up and running,” he said.
Tom Yoshikami, a student from the University of Wisconsin-Madison  pursuing a doctorate degree in film studies, said he’d bring passion and enthusiasm to the leadership position.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” he said. “I really think this cinema is unique. Having visited many other cinemas, I can say nothing is like it.”

Yoshikami said student involvement in Cinema festivities would be a good way to fund raise and draw interest from community youth.

“We want to get the word out there, and what better way to do than getting involved with as many groups on campus as possible?” he said.

Yoshikami, who has helped to put several film festivals together, said different departments could become involved in cinema events such as Jacobs School of Music faculty members could provide live music for silent films, the German department could offer explanatory panels following linguistically related film screenings.

The possibilities are endless, Yoshikami said.

Freshman Mandy Rattazzi, a film student, attended Yoshikami’s speech to learn more about the Cinema director position.

“I was very impressed by his knowledge of Bloomington,” she said. “He seems to have a good idea about what he wants to do, and a lot of experience.”

Jane Jorgensen, head of the new IU Cinema fund-raising committee, said she was also pleased with Yoshikami’s presentation and contagious enthusiasm.

“The whole time I was listening to him speaking, I was imagining what it’d be like meeting with him in his office,” she said. “I could imagine myself not wanting to leave.”

Jorgensen, an avid film lover, said she wants a director who’d dedicate time and energy to producing exciting events at the Cinema.

“I’m looking for passion, enthusiasm,” she said. “We want to see student film premieres, red carpet, the works.”