“Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ and Mike Nichols’ ‘The Graduate’ were movies introduced to me by my mom. We would go to the video store every weekend and get to pick movies.” It’s how Robinson Film Center director Meghan Hochstetler remembers her early life.
“In high school, I discovered the Centenary Film Society. My friends and I thought we were too cool getting to go see movies on a college campus. I remember sitting at a desk in a classroom watching the French film ‘Indochine’ on a pull-down screen.”
Before the Robinson came to be, there was an independent movie theater at Quail Creek. Hochstetler was there. “We explored indie films through Joy Cinema at Quail Creek. ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘Jackie Brown’ are a couple that come to mind. It wasn’t that we were seeking out indie film – I didn’t even really know what that term was – but those were the types of films I gravitated towards.”
The accommodating young director with the unfailing smile may seem too young – or too kind – to lead an indie film center through parlous times, but the vote of confidence from those who have watched her work says the RFC is in capable hands.
Hochstetler began working at RFC in 2011 as the media educator. In 2012 she became education director. In 2015 she became the director of audience; that comprised all film programming and education.
In 2016 RFC lost its director of six years, Alex Kent, when he and his family relocated. “When Alex left, I knew she would be effective at programming,” remembers Ro White. “But she has done it all, from managing staff and customers to garnering donations and grant writing. She has exceeded the board’s expectations.”
Hochstetler graduated from Louisiana Tech University with degree in journalism. For a time she pursued a career in youth ministry in the United Methodist Church.
“I remember watching the renovation of the building for Robinson Film Center and being so excited that we were getting a true art house. I became a fan of RFC early on and always thought in the back of my mind that this would be the coolest place ever to work,” she says. “When I got the opportunity to join the staff I was thrilled – like someone-pinch-me kind of thrilled. I still feel that way every day. I’m lucky to be able to work for an organization that I feel so passionately for.”
Says Jeff Hendricks, “We are extremely fortunate to have Meghan leading our RFC programming: she is knowledgeable about the film business; she is tremendously insightful about the interests of our Shreveport-Bossier audiences.” He adds, “Her leadership in the ‘Faith on Film’ series, for example, has been especially impressive.” Hendricks, one of the RFC founders, has another judgment: “She has exquisite personal taste.”
Justin Ricou has watched her work. “The RFC has a large board with, obviously, many different personalities. She addresses the challenges in timely fashion and precisely. She is cool under pressure. Crisis management is a strong suit for her.”
How does she define “independent movie?” They are “Movies that make us think. They are so important. Well-crafted movies that tell their stories masterfully and beautifully are important. I truly believe that our community is better for having the Robinson Film Center.”
White and Hochstetler share a goal in regards keeping RFC healthy. “Membership in RFC is a big deal. We’ve almost reached 1000. But we need an additional 500 for the memberships to be sustaining,” says White. An early action by Hochstetler was to build memberships through a staff incentive program. It worked, says White.
What is she doing to cozen audiences in an era of extreme competition? “In the past few years we’ve adopted a new model that puts an emphasis on what we call ‘special programs;’ any programs that are more that just a movie. Maybe it’s hearing an area scientist fact check a movie like ‘The Martian’ in our Science on Screen series. Maybe it’s a French dinner to go with a film by Eric Rohmer. Having a sports star like Todd Walker show his favorite movie and talk about how much Hollywood gets right about professional sports.”
The competition is serious; it’s also rapidly changing. Yet, “We are giving people a reason to turn off their Netflix, get out of their house, and see a movie with us. We offer our audience an experience they can’t get anywhere else.”
Hochstetler adds, “We will always show great independent film on a daily basis, but we will also have two to three of these special programs each week.”