UNM-LA Film Studies students Wednesday at the Reel Deal with their instructor, Dr. Cathy Hardy, and Reel Deal owner Jim O’Donnell from left, Jose Rivera, Dio Dominguez, Sheon Johnson, Hardy, Olivia Tepley, O’Donnell and Greg Wollner. Photo by Nancy Coombs/UNM-LA

Reel Deal owner Jim O’Donnell with a reel of film that ran on old projectors. Today films arrive on a hard drive with an encryption key that unlocks the drive during the time the film is rented. Photo by Cathy Hardy

UNM-LA News:

UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA) Instructor Dr. Cathy Hardy and the Introduction to Film Studies (FDMA2110) students met Wednesday at the Reel Deal Theater to view the Academy Award winning film “Parasite”, directed by Bong Joon Ho.

Jim O’Donnell, owner of the Reel Deal, treated the class to a tour of the projection room and offered an overview of the movie theater business and equipment prior to a complimentary viewing of the film.

O’Donnell showed students old film projectors and discussed the transition from film projectors to digital projectors. He explained that by staying open year round, the Real Deal can function as a “first run” theater and play newly and recently released films from the major film companies.

Hardy provided an overview of “Parasite” in a prior class session, and students were encouraged to consider screenwriting and the director’s choices in presenting the story.

This is the fourth year that O’Donnell has invited the UNM-LA film class to tour to the theater, view a film and experience a behind-the-scenes look at the movie theater business.

UNM-Los Alamos is an innovative, rigorous and affordable comprehensive branch community college that provides foundations for transfer, leading-edge career programs, and lifelong learning opportunities. More information about UNM-LA is available at losalamos.unm.edu.