entertainment
KEEPER OF THE BUS BOOK
J
ennifer Cambras , Montclair Film ’ s director of production and special projects , knows what it ’ slike toproblem-solve in explosive situations — literally .
“ During opening night last year , the power supply inside the projector at the Wellmont exploded at 2:30 in the afternoon ,” she recounts . Because the movie to be screened that night was specifically keyed to that showing , the film studio would need to get involved . And becausethe projector used at the Wellmont needs to have along “ throw ” — give a crisp picture from a relatively long distance — the substitute machine would need a special lens .
“ Our tech director found one through a studio contactwho happened to be doing aquality check , and drove down from Westchester in rush hour traffic at 4 p . m .” says
JENNIFER CAMBRAS
Cambras . “ We didn ’ t know if it would work when it arrived , and opening night is our hardest event to cancel . When all was said and done , though , everything worked well .”
On top of that , “ There was no blame game ,” she says . “ That is the prime way to explain why Montclair Film Festival is so successful . In moments of stress , you never feel it willall come down to you .”
Cambras ’ role as the “ communications hub ” between multiple departments has alot to do with that . Trained in theater arts management at Ithaca College , she worked in Brooklyn and Chicago before moving toMontclair and filling a seasonal role at Montclair Film in 2018 . She later moved into her current production role handling programming logistics , which , duringthe 10 days of the festival , involves creating a “ run of show ” with minute-to-minute chronological breakdowns of what ’ s happening at each location .
“ This gives everyone abird ’ s eye view of the day , so theycan see the macro-picture and where any holes are ,” she says . Cambras performs the same service for every event during the year , including the annual fundraiser Stephen Colbert hosts at NJPAC .
Cambras , who launched MF ’ s internship program a few years ago , has helped turn the nonprofit from a largely volunteer organization into one that more closely reflects the professional teams she ’ s worked with in the past . She ’ s launched internship and production assistant programs , and oversees a crew of venue managers . She ’ s even made sure that others can fill in for her if she can ’ t be present : Her “ busbook ” ( Google docs created for eachevent ) details how to execute her job if she werehit by the proverbialbus .
AS YEAR-ROUND EMPLOYEES , WHAT DO YOUDOWHEN IT ’ S NOT FILM FESTIVAL SEASON ?
MICHAEL : We really don ’ t have a down season anymore . The 505 building is aflexible venue , and is used for private screenings , parties , story slams … Last summer , David Fricke , the senior editor at Rolling Stone , did an interview with the Tedeschi Trucks Band here . WWOR-TV films here once amonth , and Iget the sets ready to go . Summer camp is held downstairs , and the students use this place as aset . It ’ sacommunity hub , and Idodifferent things . Ateacher ( of film education classes ) might ask “ Do we have awalkie talkie ?” and I ’ ll find one .
ZACH : Montclair Film Festival is one showcase event , but other weeks , it feels like it ’ sthe festival . Montclair Film threw me in at the deep end , and Ilearned onthe job . Irepair , upgrade and maintain technical equipment , including seven projectors , seven screens and 20 laptops . Imanage the software , including our Google Workspace , RingCentral and Adobe .
WHEN COVIDHIT , ZACHWAS TASKED WITH PIVOTING TO ZOOM EVENTS LIKE DIRECTOR Q & AS AND EDUCATION CLASSES ONLINE . DO YOU STILL HAVE ONLINE EVENTS ?
MICHAEL : Istill don ’ t understand Zoom . But during COVID , itkept us running smoothly and elevated our game . Now hybrid Q & As are convenient for directors who can ’ t be on site . It keeps us within our budget .
ZACH : Montclair Film hosted a screening of Good Night Oppy ( about Mars Rover Opportunity ) to 250 students intwo theaters , with ascientist on two screens speaking to two different moderators . When you get an assignment like that , you think “ Oh great ” ( laughs ). But the feeling passes , you get into gear and think “ It ’ ll be as streamlined aspossible .”
18 FALL 2023 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE