Dressed elegantly in evening gowns and three-piece suits, students and other guests graced the
halls of Rockwell Hall to attend the fourth annual TFA Night At The Oscars.
The event, presented by students of the Television and Film Arts Program, was held in the
Performing Arts Center on Sunday night, running through the duration of the 85th Annual
Academy Awards. It gave guests an opportunity to watch a live screening of the award ceremony
and to take part in a ceremony to celebrate the works of current TFA majors.
The event was free for any student in Buffalo with a school ID, with proceeds from the event
going toward building the TFA program.
Guests walked a red carpet upon entering the theater, enjoying refreshments and partaking in
interviews where they revealed their predictions on who would win.
Alongside the balloon-filled entrance were iMac computers where guests voted on 11 student-
produced films from 2012. These films were in the running to receive Pioneer Awards, the
Buffalo State version of the Academy Awards.
TFA program director Jeffrey Hirschberg said the event provides an excellent opportunity to get
student works exposed.
“It’s a great way for students to have their films shown and critiqued in public,” Hirschberg said.
Hirschberg, who also teaches the course responsible for the event – TFA 301, or TV and Film
Criticism – said it’s only natural the program hold an Oscar night of its own.
“It’s a natural fit for TFA to be hosting on Hollywood’s biggest night,” Hirschberg said.
Jennifer Klemann, one of the event’s co-chairs, said she thinks the event serves a good purpose.
“I think it’s amazing. It’s nice for people to get together and watch the Oscar’s together,”
Klemann said.
Grace Philips, another event co-chair, said that despite stressful preparations, she hoped that
everyone would enjoy it.
“I just wanted to give everyone a really good time,” she said.
During commercial breaks in the segment, five awards were given out, including Best Dressed
Male and Best Dressed Female amongst the audience members.
There were also the Pioneer Awards, given to the creators and producers of the short films which
had been determined by the audience before the ceremony.
The Pioneer Award for Best Screenplay was given to Chris Greco, for his short film entitled
“Retaliation.” Best Director went to Grace Philips and Derek Justo for the film “Jarboy.” The
Best Picture award went to Madison Amy and Joe Springer for their work on “Retaliation.”
Each student gave a small acceptance speech thanking the school and audience for their support
thus far.
Between award presentations, local band Average At Best performed, entertaining the crowd of
about 100.
With many more Oscar nights to come, the event aims to bring the students and community
together for a night of fun and celebration.
Sophomore Cassandra Crimmen, who worked on the project last year, said the event couldn’t
serve a greater purpose than it already does. Not only does it accomplish what it sets out to, but it
further expands the TFA brand, which is always a great thing.
“It gives a different spark of life to the evening and helps us to promote the TFA program,”
Crimmen said.
Ebony Linzy can be reached by email at linzy.record at live.com.