What do the Oscars and Boston University have in common? The Quad, of course. Other than that? It could be actor James Franco.
About a week ago, a campaign hit the Internet to bring a bit of the Hollywood glitz and glamour to college campuses nation-wide. On the event-hosting website Eventful, a contest appeared to deliver the cast of Your Highness to the college with the most enthusiastic student body.
At first, the vague term “cast appearances” sent mixed messages to the student body. Actors James Franco, Natalie Portman, and Danny McBride all grace the Eventful page. Zooey Deschanel is also a leading actor. BU students’ Facebook event, inaccurately titled “VOTE TO HAVE NATALIE PORTMAN AND JAMES FRANCO COME TO BU!!,” is proof of this confusion.
A video on Eventful’s website featuring Danny McBride clears it up officially. According to McBride, the “winning school will party with Thadeous (McBride) and Fabious (Franco).”
Enticed by this challenge, BU students dedicated themselves to the cause. When Ann Marie Connolly (CAS ’14) first heard about the event, she worked hard to secure her chances at seeing James Franco.
“I invited all of my BU friends on Facebook and I emailed a few family members and close friends and told them to vote.”
In 2009, Eventful hosted a similar contest that ultimately brought Michael Cera to BU for his movie Youth in Revolt.
This time around, BU began its journey around 16th place. In less than 24 hours, however, the determination of the student body saw BU rocket to second place, right behind University of California Berkeley. By the end of the day, BU had taken first place.
According to the page, BU had secured not only the free advanced screening guaranteed to all schools from second to sixth place, but also an after party and, most importantly, cast appearances.
Unfortunately for BU, the contest does not end until March 21st, and BU has tumbled to fifth place. Former leaders Rutgers University and UCal Berkeley have also fallen from grace. University of California Santa Barbara now reigns supreme. Other schools vying for the prize threaten to kick BU out of its place in the top 6, jeopardizing the opportunity for a free screening.
In order to narrow the approximate 5,000 vote gap between BU and UCal Barbara, students need to go to the Eventful site, find BU on the list, click “Demand,” and register an email account. According to multiple-time voter Shannon Kelliher (CAS ’14), there is still hope.
“So long as we can recreate [the enthusiasm we had], I think we definitely have a chance to shoot up to the first place spot like we did.”
Regardless of BU’s standing in the contest, the fantasy-comedy film Your Highness is coming to theaters this April 8th.
McBride, not McBryde.
EASTBOUND AND DOWN!
Missed that one. Thanks for the correction. Fixed.