Vidiots, an independent Santa Monica video store, is now offering summer school for film enthusiasts.
They've turned a former store room for things like VHS tapes into the Vidiots Annex. The screening room at the 25-year-old store will be used for the Vidiots film lecture series.
According to the Santa Monica Daily Press:
While other video stores are folding or shifting to online business, Vidiots' managers decided to expand and incorporate the film studies program to help its business evolve with the times, said Patty Polinger, co-founder of Vidiots.
Pollinger told the Daily Press that the idea developed after employees found themselves fielding a lot of questions about films and directors.
"One thing feeds another," she told SMDP. "The annex brings new people in. We've already seen an increase in membership."
Instructors include writer/critic Anthony Miller, actor/director John Achorn, actor Tony Bill, directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, voice actor/anime expert Crispin Freeman, filmmaker Henry Jaglom, critic Kenneth Turan, and film historian Tom Kemper.
The Annex will also be home to "Saturday Night Film Club," screenings of classics followed by discussions.
Click here for classes and registration information. The store is at 302 Pico Boulevard.
