Penn State students will have the opportunity to view the film The Amateurs before it hits theaters this May and chat with cast member Joe Pantoliano at a pre-screening this Saturday.

Pantoliano recalls an experience he once had as a child when he went to the movies.

"I remember going to see Three Stooges Go To Mars or something stupid like that," Pantoliano said. "After the movie, they brought the Three Stooges on stage. I just thought it was cool to see movie stars."

Students can have a similar experience when Pantoliano pre-screens his new movie The Amateurs at Schwab Auditorium as a part of a national campus show.

After the movie is shown, Pantoliano will hold a discussion so audience members can ask him questions.

The open forum will last about 30 to 45 minutes.

Pantoliano said that during the forum, people can discuss how they felt about the movie.

"[He] is a very talented actor, and it should be very fun and interesting to hear what he has to say about the movie," Eric Mead (sophomore-hotel, restaurant and institutional management) said.

The topics of discussion aren't limited to the movie.

"[Pantoliano] is open to any questions, not just about the movie, but also acting or theater or whatever else," said Laura Sullivan, Center for the Performing Arts marketing and communications director. "The fact that he's put so much time into [The Amateurs] and is so accessible is amazing."

The Amateurs is a comedy about a group of people from a small town.

The group searches for fame and fortune by attempting to produce an adult film.

"It's a strong message about small-town loser guys, even though it's an R-rated comedy," Pantoliano said.

Other actors in the film include Jeff Bridges, Ted Danson and Lauren Graham.

"[The Amateurs] has a great cast, and it should be hilariously funny," Michael Logan (junior-actuarial science) said.

Over the years, Pantoliano has had roles including Cypher in The Matrix and Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos.

"The Sopranos is one of my favorite shows, so I will definitely go and see [The Amateurs]," Andrew Marshaleck (freshman-accounting and finance) said.

It was Pantoliano's idea to hold the screenings and forums around the country, he said.

"When I saw it, I knew college kids would like it. I'm doing it on my own free time, at my own expense," he said.

The film is independent, which means there is no large company providing millions of dollars for advertising the movie. Showing The Amateurs to college campuses is a way that Pantoliano said he hopes to get the word out about the project.

"By showing it to 800 kids at a campus of what, 50,000, if they like it, they'll start telling their friends," he said. "Advertising is only as good as the movie."

Another aspect of independent movies is that the actors are not paid a lot of money for their work.

"It's a really great group of actors. In an independent movie, people are working for less than they usually get to make the movie," Pantoliano said. "We're doing it really for the material."

Sullivan and Pantoliano both said they think it will be well worth students' time to check out the pre-screening.

"Not only are they seeing a movie before anyone else has seen it, they get to talk to Joey," Sullivan said. "It's $4 to see a brand-new movie."

Logan said he is excited for the event. "It is spectacular that something like this is coming to Penn State," he said. "Hopefully more events like this will occur in the future."