The opening moments of a film are crucial.  In a great movie, those first few minutes provide the key to the rest of the film.  Like the opening paragraphs of a novel, they draw  the viewer in, setting up the thematic concerns and stylistic approach that will developed throughout the movie.  Annette Insdorf's new book, CINEMATIC OVERTURES: How to Read Opening Scenes, is an in-depth examination of those opening moments and how they work. In her talk for us, she'll focus in particular on three films-- Schindler's List, Apocalypse Now, and The Piano--showing clips and exploring how those opening sequences lay the groundwork for everything that will follow.

Annette Insdorf is Professor of Film at Columbia University's School of the Arts and is the moderator of the popular "Reel Pieces" series at the 92nd Street Y.  Her books include Francois Truffaut; Double Lives, Second Chances: The Cinema of Krzysztof Kieslawski; Philip Kaufman; and the landmark study Indelible Shadows: Film and the Holocaust.  She has been a jury member and a panel moderator at countless film festivals.

Cinematic Overtues: How to Read Opening Scenes will be available for purchase, and a booksigning will follow the talk.

Advance registration is REQUIRED—no tickets will be sold at the door.

DRESS CODE: Business Casual is fine for the event itself, but if you are thinking of staying for dinner (the Pub at The Lambs will accept credit cards), JACKETS & TIES will be required for men. No denim, sneakers, or such.

This is a joint event with THE LAMBS.

Special thanks to Andy Goodwin and the Plymouth Hill Foundation.

Members, Register Here

Purchase tickets   $5.00 Members & Friends

Cost: FREE to attend with many food and drink options available for purchase.

Emmy Award-winning writer David Mandel (Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Veep) takes students into the writers’ room for two days, during which students will attempt to create a comedy pilot, while learning about structure and joke writing. No experience necessary. All ideas welcomed! Lunch included.

Capacity: 12 students. Register here. 

The January Arts and Media Seminars – JAMS! – offer students the time and space to try something new that would not be possible during the fall or spring semesters. Visit the Dean of Students Office for more information about college-wide offerings during Wintersession.

Antoinette Nwandu’s play Pass Over, a mashup of the biblical Exodus story and Beckett’s Waiting for Godot, premiered in 2017 at Steppenwolf in Chicago and sparked a national conversation about bias in the theater community. In this discussion-workshop, students will attend one of three performances of Pass Over at SpeakEasy Stage Company in Boston (7:30 p.m. January 22; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 23), and then, on Friday, January 24, join Nwandu for a conversation about the play and a workshop on writing what she calls “confrontational and deeply unsettling plays” to do “healing work.” Lunch included.

Capacity: 15 students (all of whom receive free tickets to Pass Over). Register here.

The January Arts and Media Seminars – JAMS! – offer students the time and space to try something new that would not be possible during the fall or spring semesters. Visit the Dean of Students Office for more information about college-wide offerings during Wintersession.

Spending time with the music of Bach is both a privilege and a humbling experience. It challenges us to listen deeply, open our spirits, and imagine infinite possibility through sound. Joseph Lin AB '00, formerly of the Juilliard String Quartet, will be joined by four Harvard student string players for this workshop, exploration and reflection on of some of the most essential works in the violin canon. This is event is open to all Harvard students as well as the general public. Experience in music not required! All are welcome.

Also, in a separate event, Joseph Lin will be performing Bach's sonatas and partitas for solo violin on January 31 at Jordan Hall. 

Free and open to the public. Register here. 

The January Arts and Media Seminars – JAMS! – offer students the time and space to try something new that would not be possible during the fall or spring semesters. Visit the Dean of Students Office for more information about college-wide offerings during Wintersession or call 617.495.8676.

Named after the infamous mile-long stretch in downtown Chicago, Rush Street Culver City is our end of March destination. For the first time ever, The Ivy Plus Society invites you to meet us at their music-driven Upper Lounge, located on the 2nd floor. Experience Chi-Town vibes as you network the night away with the finest and brightest in tech, entertainment, finance, marketing, education, health, and more!

Must be 21+ with valid I.D.
Attire: Business Attire

20% off promo: 2020ALUMNI

Parking: First hour free in parking structures (Watseka and Cardiff lots), additional $1 per 30 minutes. Max $12.
Valet: $8 per car, station is in front of neighboring restaurant.

Overlooking the picturesque Marina del Rey harbor, Cafe del Rey offers a truly remarkable networking experience with coastal-inspired cuisine in an elegant seaside setting. This "Best Ocean-View Restaurant" (Food Network) has received The Argonaut's "Best of the Westside" for four years as well as an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. Mix and mingle with SoCal's brightest achievers this March with The Ivy Plus Society. We look forward to seeing you there.

Business Attire, Must be 21+ with valid I.D.

20% off promo: 2020ALUMNI

Rise once again because the wait is finally over. Meet us at what UrbanDaddy awarded "Outstanding Achievement in Naming Your Drinking Establishment," Phoenix LA. This vintage-chic bar will be the place for you to meet someone new in 2020. Join The Ivy Plus Society on February 26th at their stylish patio for a night of networking you won't forget.

Business Attire, Must be 21+ with valid I.D.

20% off promo: 2020ALUMNI