ASAP Movie Nights

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult for any club to do anything social, stifling the creative flare and regular social gatherings that normally take place on campus at this time of year. In an attempt to bring some normalcy to campus, the Association for Student Activity Programming (ASAP) is putting on a September monthly movie program.  Every Friday night through the month of September, ASAP will be showing a movie on the big screen at the April Zorn Memorial Stadium.

“We wanted people to still experience something we do on campus without COVID. Being outside and spaced apart we could still do this event,” said Jazmyn Gentry, the marketing chair of ASAP.  

Last Friday, movie goers flocked to the field to see the first movie on the program, Jumanji: The Next Level played on the big screen at the April Zorn field. An updated version of the beloved Jumanji movie franchise sees the return of Dr. Smoulder Bravestone (Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson), Mouse (Kevin Hart), Oberon (Jack Black) and others as they fight to survive one of the world’s most dangerous games.

Apart from the momentary lapse of the pixels in the top right-hand corner of the screen, the event was a success. Out of the 150 people capacity there were 70 people on the first night. “I liked that we could have a group event, but safely,” said movie goer Holly Reyner. “It’s nice to do stuff around campus to bring us together…we should have some Saturdays too.”

According to Gentry, all students have to do is sign in, “come in pairs and social distance,” people can even “take off their masks” which is a liberating feeling in a public space on campus. Other movies that are scheduled for viewing this month include: The Lion King, Joker, and The Invisible Man. Gentry states, that the “movies were picked based on ASAP members picking out movies and then we would vote on them…[we] included a cartoon, comedy, crime/drama thriller and scary thriller. That way there is possible a movie for everyone to watch…a variety of movies is a good idea.”

So, if you want to get out of your room, have a cute date night, or simply watch a movie with friends, then come out Friday nights at 8pm to enjoy the movies on the football field.

Kieren Marshall - Staff Writer