For those that find themselves scrambling to see the newest Christopher Nolan films, raving about the Coen Brothers, or even simply appreciating the classics, the Hillsdale Film and Production Club offers a place for film enthusiasts to watch, discuss, and produce the newest blockbusters. 

“It has sort of become a catch-all for everything on campus that’s related to films — not just for those who enjoy film, but also who enjoy how film is made,” said Jeffrey Hertel, assistant professor of German and the club’s faculty adviser. “It’s really just a place to appreciate film as an object of study.”

The club kicked off the year with its first meeting on Aug. 28, which began with discussing plans for the year and ended with a showing of the Coen Brothers’ “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”

Discussions typically follow any film that the club watches, both during and outside of its meetings. Hertel recently led a discussion on the “Star Wars” prequels, and future plans include a possible “Barbie” panel. 

“We want to have discussion of an idea in a film or the film itself,” Kjos said.“‘What’s going on here? What was the intent? What was the end result?’”

According to Kjos, discussing films is one half of the club’s mission. The other half is to grow the production of films on campus. 

“We want film to act as a way for various members of the student body to express ideas to create culture,” Kjos said.

The club will hear project ideas at a pitch meeting on Monday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m in Lane Hall room 332.

“You have any idea, and then you contact one of us,” Kjos said. “There’s not a particular type of film. It’s just whatever is within our capacity.”

Last year, many different clubs and residence halls competed when the club hosted a Super Bowl ad contest in the spring. The club also filmed a mockumentary called “What is a Fundie?,” a parody of The Daily Wire’s “What is a Woman?” 

According to junior and Vice President Donny McArdle, such videos that poke fun at campus are well received.

“The funny thing is everyone on campus seems to understand the joke,” McArdle said. “Usually we plan to do it during finals week when we show the stuff. It’s nice to just have that break and have a laugh with people you know.”

The club also plans to host production workshops where students can get hands-on experience creating and producing their own films.

“You might not think you’re the best film expert or you may not know about cameras, whatever — that is where we’re supposed to help,” Kjos said. “From there, you might find, ‘Hey, this is something I really enjoy doing.’ At least at the very end, you can look back and be like, ‘I made this quick 30-second video. It might not look like that much, but I had a lot of fun doing this with my friends, and this is something that I made.’”

Sophomore Joseph Johnson, an active member of the club, said he loves how the club gives him the freedom to tell a story.

“They allow you to say what you want, write what you want, and make something that’s your own,” he said.

According to McArdle, Kjos, and Johnson, it is important to learn from the greats when developing your own style of filmmaking. 

“Look at whatever your favorite movie is and think about why that’s your favorite,” McArdle said. “Be a sponge taking everything that you see that you like from other things.” 

Hertel said he enjoys seeing people get together about something that matters to them. 

“It really is the easiest way for people to observe something that is potentially of importance,” he said. “It’s an object that people can get together and talk about. That’s just something that we need these days for everyone who loves film, because who doesn’t?”