Victory Vanguard offers discount screenings to teens

Adrian Guajardo Jr., Staff Writer

In a move designed to expand access classic and rare films to young people, the Alamo Drafthouse is expanding its innovative program for youth called Victory Vanguard.

The “Drafthouse,” as it’s often called, until recently had a policy that banned teenagers from attending movies there if they were unaccompanied by an adult. But in 2015, the Drafthouse staff began developing an application process to allow certain teenagers to attend films their without a parent. They started the program called Victory Vanguard last school year and this year they are expanding it even further.

The program, which is ages 15 to 17, is designed to inform young people about movies and spark their interest in working in the film industry.

Morgan Hendrix, Creative Manager for Alamo Drafthouse Austin, said the process to join Victory Vanguard starts with a simple application, which can be found at www.drafthouse.com/vanguard.

“We tend to just figure out what you love about the movies in the application and get sense of who you are,” Hendrix said. “You are able to get $5 tickets to most movies without parent or guardian’s consent required.”

The application asks why students would be interested in joining the program, reasons they love movies, and if they know basic drafthouse etiquette such as cell phone usage and how to calculate a tip.

One thing that is different about this year’s version of the program is that teens can now go see almost any movie they want without having to attend a group event. Last year, there were only certain screenings that were available for teens to see, and it was part of a group event usually sponsored by a teacher.

Once you are a member teens can go alone or with a group of other members.

“We do often set up certain events throughout the year,” Hendrix said. ”This year we have a couple more. Last year we would have Victory Vanguard screenings but none of that was strictly mandatory.”

Members are also not limited to going to Alamo Drafthouse theaters in Austin. They can also go to their other theaters in the area or as far away as their Brooklyn, New York location.

After teens turn 18, they are eligible to join the Victory Rewards program and that has no age limit, but provides different benefits.

For those unsure about joining, Hendrix said the films that they show at the Drafthouse are different than those shown at the typical movie theater.

“I think it’s one of the best ideas Alamo Drafthouse offers,” Hendrix said. “ I grew up in Lake Travis when I was growing up, and the movie theatre was really far from us. I think this is one of the ideas that’s like wow.”

Filmmaking teacher Melissa Royer said she works closely with Ashley Hogan who helps run Victory Vanguard, which she described as a “good partner.”

Royer and Hogan value their mutual relationship where they both help each other. So with this relationship Alamo Drafthouse would send interns to help Royer’s class. The Drafthouse also sent a director from the film industry to teach Royer’s class once last year.

Royer’s class also attended trips to the Alamo Drafthouse as Victory Vanguard members. The 18 year olds would would have to pay regular price but instead of it being an out-of-pocket expense for the students, Royer organized a fundraiser to help pay for full price.

The Drafthouse is also a venue where the Austin Film Festival shows films, giving students another way to see new and independent films. Senior Aylin Valdes will have a film she produced last year screened at the Drafthouse Village location on Oct. 15 – 16.

Royer said she hopes other students can enjoy the experience of being a director and seeing their films screened at a movie theater.

“The Austin Film Festival is so fun we did it last year as a class, and it’s such a good experience for my students that are interested in film,” Royer said.