Thursday, June 14, 2012

Samuel B. Prime Moves On To Alamo Draft House



Well, that's just Prime! (For reference, Optimus Prime says that). Anyway the former Director of Melnitz Movies, Samuel B. Prime,  is moving on up to the famous Alamo Draft House as film programmer and program coordinator. He sent out a letter thanking all those involved with the program and showing off how well it did.

I'd have to agree with multiple great titles coming out of UCLA and all for free, recently the RoboCop Anniversary and God Bless America screenings with directors present for Q and A. Kimberlee Granholm will be in charge of the program starting July 13th.

Here's part of his good-bye letter.


"Dear Colleagues,

Following a thoroughly rewarding 2011 - 2012 season, I am stepping down as UCLA's Director of Melnitz Movies. Thank you to each and every one of you who helped to make the 2011 - 2012 season such an unmitigated success! Our season featured fifteen Los Angeles or West Coast premieres, including major prize-winning films from all reaches of the international film festival circuit and we were lucky to welcome in person guests to more than 60% of all events -- an increase from last year's 40%. This year's season could not have been what it was without the support of our many collaborators, including numerous distribution companies, production companies, publicity firms, on-campus departments, cultural institutes, individual filmmakers, and Los Angeles-based consulates -- from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for working with us to put together such unique and special programming. Our audience consistently responded with enthusiasm to the program variety offered throughout the year, including sneak previews of upcoming releases, premieres that otherwise may not have been released in LA, and our variety of repertory selections.

I have now finished my program in Moving Image Archive Studies and will only remain living in the Los Angeles area for a short time. As of July 2012, I will move to Austin, Texas to begin work as film programmer and program coordinator with the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. I look forward to joining the Alamo Drafthouse programming team and finding opportunities for us to continue our collaboration in the future."