It’s back. The Cinema Arts Club, which was discontinued two years ago, is now being run by enthusiastic film major students.

Vice president of the Cinema Arts Club Flip Gomez said the club was closed due to a lack of members and president’s motivation to make a film two years ago.

“I’ve always wanted to make a film with people from school because I knew there were a lot of people who wanted to make a film. I wanted to bring everybody together,” Gomez said.

Gomez said he believes that this time, everybody is zealous to be involved in the club, which is a big difference from a couple of semesters ago.

New system to clarify participation

The club, Gomez said, is trying to develop a point system so that it knows who is putting effort into the club.

“We will take account of participation in community services, activities with Inter-Club Council as well as production,” Gomez said.

“For next semester, those interested in running for any office but president or vice president will need a certain number of points to show that they are putting effort into the club.”

Students could gain experience

Adviser of the club Kevin O’Brien, who was the adviser two years ago, is happy to have the club activated again.

“I’m glad that there are enough students who are interested in a film or a video to get together as a group,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said he believes the club will be helpful for film major students to have some activities supporting their learning; and that it will be a place where students can gain hands-on experience filmmaking.

Jason Palines, president, said he is confident that he could make the club fruitful for members.

“Our major goal of the club for this semester is to shoot and edit a film,” Palines said.

The club works on all aspects of filmmaking such as directing, editing, acting, recording, script writing, video and animation making, makeup, music and photography.

“It’s really a production to make a film,” Palines said.

Making a film is a cooperative step-by-step process. It requires patience and a good relationship among members to make a film.

“We have a close and tight relationship to make a film,” Palines said.

The club welcomes beginners who are interested in making a film.

“We know how to shoot, edit and produce a film,” Palines said.”If you want to learn about making a film, you can come watch what we do and help us out. That’s how you learn.”

The club is not only making a film but is also participating in college activities.

It will participate in the blood drive, car wash and community services throughout the semester.

More than just producing films

“We don’t want to seem like we are just a group trying to make a film,” activity director and Inter-Club Council representative Alex Calderon said.

“We want to show that we are a part of the EC community and we want to make our college get better.”

An upcoming event for the club is a musical showcase called “Foolish Show Case” at the Student Activities Center on April 1.

The Cinema Arts Club will ask $2 for a donation at the door and for the management of the club. It will present bands, rappers and films for the event.

“We have some bands and rappers, but we are still looking for someone who is interested in the show,” Calderon said.

Gomez is working on holding a film festival and is writing a proposal to all the colleges and universities around EC such as UCLA, USC, Santa Monica College and Long Beach City College.

Aside from that, Gomez said the club would like to invite people from the film industry, which would be a great opportunity for members to show their potential of being a successful figure in Hollywood

Also, most of the reputable institutions for film production are in Hollywood.

“In the South Bay, we don’t really have schools famous for film,” Gomez said. “So, we want to bring people here through the festival to help EC be more of a film ground.”

Public spokesman Christopher Rubio said he believes that the openness of the club benefits all the members.

“We really want our new members to feel more respected that we are open and we are not going to be stingy of what we have,” Rubio said.

“Our main goal is to make an independent film, but we’re trying to make EC really stick out as well.”