The Film League of Auburn held its second official meeting Thursday at The Gnu's Room.
Gathered in the coffee shop, the small group discussed upcoming events before eating dinner and heading to see "Moneyball."
"It sprang from my need to be around other people who are interested in the movies and film and the creative process of film," said Charlene Redick, professional writer and Film League of Auburn founder. "I have a feeling Auburn should go in this direction. Everyone loves movies. We're all on Netflix already."
Redick started the organization in hopes of forming a group devoted to enriching the Auburn community through the arts.
"If you're an actor, writer, designer, publicity or management person in the arts--anybody who's interested in that would enjoy getting together with people interested in film and cinema," Redick said.
Through the Film League of Auburn, Redick hopes to generate appreciation for the cinematic elements in every form of artistic expression.
"I would like to become a viable enough group that we can have a little film program that would include interesting things like lectures, workshops or even a screenwriting and independent film contests," Redick said.
The group attracts members from a wide range of talents and professions. Sharing ideas and thoughts about films were University graduate students, retired professionals, professors, published authors and acclaimed artists.
Despite diverse interests, participants were unified by their desire to see the arts flourish in Auburn.
Sandra Reichner, local artist and poetry student, attended the Film League meeting because of her interest in others' opinions about film.
"I wanted to hear what was out there," Reichner said. "I like being creative, whether it's cooking or writing. I like to dissect and analyze."
David Rose, Auburn graduate student in management information systems, saw the league as an opportunity to expand his interest in cinema.
"Even though I'm not from the liberal arts department, I have a general interest in film," Rose said. "I usually go to the Capri Theater in Montgomery or the Columbus Film Society, which has film showings at the theater there."
Instead of traveling to screenings and festivals, the Film League of Auburn provides Rose a group devoted to culture and film in his own city.
As a professional writer and editor, Redick says she sees incredible accomplishments and talent go unnoticed, but she refuses to let that happen with literature and writers in the Auburn community.
"We have these award-winning programs in athletics, and I'm just so proud of them," Redick said. "But we also have so much going on in a lot of unsung ways at Auburn."
The Film League of Auburn offers a venue for students to experience an entire community of people devoted to encouraging creativity and refining their art.
One of the goals of the league is to provide a place for talent to surface in Lee County.
Redick hopes to attract more people to the group in order to find promising students in the area and promote their work.
"I think a film society would be a good thing for this community," Redick said. "Through the Film League, Auburn can develop all of its potential."
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