Premiere of Student Films: Friday September 14

Have you ever imagined a scenario and thought it would make a great movie? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see that movie premiere in front of a live audience? Several Buffalo State television and film arts students can answer "yes" to both questions as they prepare for a film premiere on Friday, September 14.

"All these films were done by film students on their own time outside of the classroom," said television and film arts senior John Szablewski. "Each film raised its own budget and will be entered into various film festivals across the country."

Szablewski teamed up with fellow television and film arts senior Kyle Mecca to create Friends Without Benefits. Buffalo State students, faculty, and alumni were involved in all parts of filmmaking process. "We also worked hand-in-hand with the Theater and Communication departments, Events Management, and Student Life to make this film a reality," Szablewski said.

The public is invited to attend the free premiere of Friends without Benefits, Feeble Attraction, and Speechless on Friday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Auditorium in the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Friends without Benefits, a PG-13 film, is about two middle-aged superheroes who, after ridding their city of crime, lose their jobs and health care benefits. In order to renew their benefits, the superheroes decide to change professions and become villains.

Feeble Attraction, an R-rated film directed by Brandon Williams, is about two socially awkward misfits who look to the Internet for help in learning the tricks to successfully pick up women, only to watch their new techniques fail miserably.

Speechless, a PG film directed by Joe Blodgett, is a silent film about love and loss.

"People should come to the premiere to witness what hard work, dedication, and passion can achieve," Mecca said.

"We all want to make good wholesome entertainment," Szablewski said about the television and film arts program at Buffalo State. "Friends Without Benefits was a success in my mind because we successfully collaborated with so many talented individuals. It is only when like-minded individuals get together that the creative process can be successful."