New York Times Critic Comes to Pace University

I took a picture with her but I respect her wishes not to post it.

New York Times critic, Janet Maslin, came to Pace University on the Westchester campus last week on Wednesday from 6-8 P.M. in the Choate House Art Gallery. Maslin is currently a book critic and the president of the Jacob Burns Film Center, which now has five theater locations. 

Dean Nira Herrmann interviewed Maslin about her career as a book and film critic for The New York Times. Maslin discussed her approach to criticism, the challenges of reading numerous books, and explained why she left film for books. 

Maslin began discussing her early career as a movie critic, where she reviewed films for 23 years. She also mentioned how so many things changed since she started, like competing with the Rotten Tomatoes website, along with other critics who now have the freedom to post anything online. 

As a film critic, she believed she should report a little bit of the movie as if the person had never seen it before. She tried to look at each film differently without preoccupation. As far as the process of what she was assigned to review, she explained that the chief critic would decide. For years she worked with Vincent Canby, who she describes as an elegant writer. She eventually became a chief critic herself.

At an early age, Maslin was obsessed with films. Her favorite movie is Lawrence of Arabia.

“I saw it maybe 25 times,” Maslin said. “It was like a Broadway show; there was an intermission. I just loved that kind of big screen experience." 

Maslin talked about how she grew up in a very pop culture centered house. She also read a lot of books, which she said naturally turned into work. The reason why she stopped reviewing films was because she felt burned out. 

 “When you start, everything is exciting, but then it becomes tedious because you're just filling up space,” Maslin said. “I wanted to quit but they offered me the book critic job. Stay home, read books, and not go into the office? It was a fresh, new thing.”

She said that it’s much harder to review books because it requires highlighting, note taking, etc. However, Maslin said it's much easier than writing a book, which she said she would never do. It takes up more of her time to review a book than watching a movie that lasts two hours. Yet, she likes reviewing books much better. 

Herrmann asked about getting into the business and for students who are interested, Maslin provided her positive expertise about getting into this field. 

“For students who are interested, I don't think there have been any more opportunities than there are now,” Maslin said. “What you study here is not occupational. It just prepares you.”

Malsin also revealed that she took a film class and received a D. 

 “There are no qualifications. If you do it, do it well.”

When asked if reading is disappearing she said: “Absolutely not. I think book clubs pick terrible things."

She spoke about a novel that was released last year called “We Are Not Ourselves” by Matthew Thomas. Although her son is not big on reading, she said that he read the entire book, even though it was 600 pages in length. 

"If the right book comes along, people will read." 

The interview was followed by a Q&A so that students/professors had free reign to ask her any questions they wanted.

One student asked about her favorite genre, which is mystery books and crime fiction/film. When she started writing for The New York Times they didn't have her reviewing these types of books. Even though she enjoys reading mystery and crime books, she is a very eclectic reader. 

“I’m interested in anything if it's interesting,” Maslin said.

Even though she isn't a movie critic anymore, she was asked if she caught herself viewing movies in the same way as she did when she was a critic. 

“It's really fun not to have an opinion,” Maslin said. It's nice being able to have an informed conversation.” Because she now works for the Jacob Burns Film Center, she added, “If I gave my opinion for everything, we'd be out of business."

"It was a great event," Gabriel Solano, sophomore and Communications major said. "She spoke with experience and was lighthearted."

Pace University students really enjoyed Maslin taking time to come and speak with them, but one student thought that her views might be a bit outdated. 

"Her opinions on the critic world now and then had me question her ideas because times are changing," Susan Harris, president of Unity and Social Justice of SGA (Student Government Association) said. "Overall, her insight and legendary status in the film and critic world brought on many great changes that are of importance today. It was wonderful meeting this dynamic woman."

Want to see movies at the Jacob Burns Film Center? Check out https://www.burnsfilmcenter.org/

Pace Students Reflect on Rebuilding Homes During Spring Break

Pace University students from the New York City and Westchester campus joined forces during their spring break to rebuild homes in Far Rockaway, New York that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The students helped with a group called Friends of Rockaway, which is described on their website as “a local affiliate of the St. Bernard Project, dedicated to rebuilding and repairing homes for Sandy survivors in the Rockaway peninsula who cannot afford to rebuild on their own.”  Most people don’t hear much about Hurricane Sandy victims anymore because there isn’t a lot of coverage in the media, yet people are still lacking the basic necessities, like electricity and proper sewage.  

The first day Pace students spent time getting to know one another and watching a documentary about people who had to relocate to hotels and shelters. Students also learned that there wasn’t much disaster relief provided by the government. In addition, Pace students were assigned days to write blog posts about their day, as well as the people they met.

Students met with volunteers the second day, where they could get their hands dirty, literally. No prior experience was necessary for students to lend a helping hand because two volunteers at each location trained/assisted students throughout the entire process. They instructed them on basic rebuilding, like using power tools, sanding, mudding walls, painting, etc. The students split up into two groups, working on two different homes at the same time. 

“Participating in Pace’s Alternative Spring Break was extremely rewarding,” Elizabeth Garcia, junior and English Literature and Language major said. “It opened my eyes to a problem so close to home. At first, I couldn’t believe two years had gone by because there is still so much more work to be done. After taking part in this trip, I want to go back and continue helping in the Rockaways and inspire others to do the same.”

Students also had the opportunity to speak with a news editor from the local paper, The Wave, as well as representatives from the St. Bernard Project. After four long days, students were proud of what they had accomplished on their trip.

Ashleen Ulysse, a sophomore and accounting major said, “It was definitely a life changing experience that I am honored to have been a part of. Even though the house was not complete when left, I feel like our team had made a huge impact in the life of the family we helped. During my trip I also got the opportunity to meet with the writer of a local newspaper who gave us recommendations on topics to write to local elected officials. Not only did I get a chance to volunteer for four days in the Rockaways, but I also got a chance to speak up for that community. I genuinely recommend this experience to all Pace students.”

When Ulysse mentioned her opportunity to speak up for the community, she was referring to letters that students wrote to elected officials, which was a requirement once students returned to campus. Ulysse wasn’t the only student who was impacted by her experience at Far Rockaway.

“The highlight of my trip was seeing the drastic change in progress on the home, because in the span of a few days, as a team, we had worked together and completed the tasks we were given,” Tiffany Pabon, a junior at Pace said. “Seeing how happy Mr. Obola was to see the work that was being done on his home was so satisfying and reaffirmed why I chose to volunteer. I got to help the Obola family and I made new and fond memories. That week I was doing things that I never thought I would ever find myself doing; I worked with drywall, power tools, and mudding. I am a volunteer because I want to see change in the world. Although I am only one person out of the billions, knowing I can make the difference is encouraging. All it takes is one to make a change.” 

For more information about how to get involved, visit: http://friendsofrockaway.org/