Paramount opens their vault to YouTube. Will other studios follow suit?

(embedded above: all of Masters of the Universe! For free!)

Major movie studios are usually extremely protective of their copyrights and lead the charge against video piracy. So it comes as a surprise that Paramount Pictures has opened up a great deal of their film archive for consumption on YouTube.

The Paramount Vault channel, which opened about a year ago, includes over 100 films from the studio's history. These movies are free to stream, with ad breaks interspersed roughly every 15 minutes. These types of studio archive-sponsored YouTube channels tend only to include older, black-and-white films, the Paramount Vault has a few comparatively recent movies as well, like the Wachowskis' directorial debut Bound and 2009 Australian horror movie The Loved Ones.

The quality of the films included is all over the place (we don't have any expectations for American Ninja), but Paramount's willingness to release all these movies into the wild is a good sign for an open future of film distribution. We're happy knowing that The Man from Rio Grande is available for anyone with a phone within a few seconds for no cost.

Whoops! YouTube accidentally pulls NASA videos

Sunday's impressive Mars landing somehow continues to be relevant for Media Services – this time in a less fun and exciting way.

NASA broadcasted live footage of Mission Control as the Curiosity rover landed, and to commemorate the occasion, they uploaded the clip to YouTube. But because of a snafu in YouTube's copyright enforcement software, NASA's videos were taken down. This apparently isn't even the first time the video sharing website has accidentally thrown out one of NASA's videos.

The situation was fixed fairly quickly, but its implications for the future of copyright enforcement in the digital age – and the permanence of online video – are a little troubling.

Filmfest DC begins Thursday, April 12 and runs through Sunday, April 22!!

Welcome to Filmfest DC: April 12 - 22

The 26th Annual Washington, DC International Film Festival...for people who love movies! Featured this year will be:

• The Lighter Side - A series of international comedies. Politics isn't the only funny thing in Washington.
• Caribbean Journeys - New films from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago, the Dominican Republic and more.
• Justice Matters - A series exploring issues of social justice.

Advance Tickets Now On Sale

Opening Night: April 12

Starbuck (Canada), directed by Ken Scott

As seen on the Filmfest DC website. For a list of theaters, showtimes, and more info, check out FilmfestDC.org

Eco-Comedy Video Competition winner is Alexander Lucas!!

The winner of this year’s Eco-Comedy Video Competition is Alexander Lucas with his short video Clean Coal by the Bituminous Marketing Agency.

Movies and Munchies with ATV - Wednesday, March 28th at 7:30pm in Wechsler Theater

Wednesday, March 28 in Wechsler Theater (MGC 315)
7:30pm - 10:00pm

As part of SOC Week, AU ATV is screening Night of the Living Dead in Wechsler Theater. They will also screen some of their latest productions. On top of all that there will be some free food and schwag: AU SOC t-shirts and more. Don't miss it!

For more info, check out the ATV site.

This title is also available in the Media Services Home Use Collection:
Night of the Living Dead - HU DVD 600

Screening TONIGHT: "The Witches of Gambaga" Documentary

Monday, March 26 at 8pm
MGC 200
Part of Women's History Month
Sponsor: Women's Resource Center
Contact: Jen Holthaus, jh3740a@american.edu, 440-623-9337
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-University-Womens-Resource-Center-WRC/174447272597690

Witches of Gambaga Trailer:

Eco-Sense Screening of "Tapped" and Georgetown Cupcakes

Tapped
Wednesday, March 21 from 1-4pm in the Kay Lounge
Come join the United Methodist Student Association and Eco-Sense for a screening of "Tapped", a documentary that delves into the dirty truth behind the bottled water industry. The screening will be on Wednesday, March 21 from 1-4pm in the Kay Lounge. An optional discussion will follow the film.

Free pizza and Georgetown Cupcakes provided!
Please RSVP by joining the Facebook Event.
Sponsor: Eco-Sense
Contact: Caroline Marsh, cm0013a@student.american.edu, 214-499-5908
Web: http://www.facebook.com/events/187619248017674/
Excerpted from Today@AU