Film and Television (Audio): Recent Episodes
UCTV
Go behind-the-scenes to learn more about the story-telling process as producers, directors, writers and actors discuss their craft.
Artist and filmmaker Tom Kalin joins moderator Bhaskar Sarkar (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of his 1992 film Swoon. Kalin discusses the historical background of the film (the famous 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case), how he reimagined the case through the lens of queer desire, and how he conducted archival research into the central figures of the murder. Kalin also discusses how his background and training as a visual artist fed into his work in feature-length film making. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40927]
Film producer Liz Yale Marsh and mustang wrangler West Taylor join moderator and co-producer Wendy Eley Jackson to discuss their work on the documentary Facing the Falls, which follows disability rights advocate Cara Elizabeth Yar Khan and her twelve-day expedition through the Grand Canyon. They explore how Yar Khan’s muscle disease provided a unique challenge to navigating the Grand Canyon, as well as how Marsh and Jackson came onto the film in post-production and helped to finish the project. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40926]
Filmmakers Natasha Merkulova and Alexey Chupov join moderator Sasha Razor (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) to discuss their film Captain Volkonogov Escaped. Merkulova and Chupov share how they work as a film making team, how they researched the period of Stalinist purges in the 1930s, and how they sought to make the period of the film feel contemporary. They go on to discuss their experience working with lead actor Yura Borisov, who gained wider recognition for the 2024 film Anora. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40925]
Eric Faden (Bucknell University) discusses his work on the Japanese Paper Film Project, a project that has been preserving paper films made in Japan in the 1930s. Koto player Yoko Reikano Kimura and cellist Hikaru Tamaki (Duo Yumeno) joins Faden and moderator Alex Lilburn (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) to talk about how the preservation work was carried out and their experiences presenting the digitized films with live musical accompaniment. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40924]
Mona Damluji (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) and Elisabeth Weber (German and Slavic Studies, UCSB) join moderator Bishnupriya Ghosh (English and Global Studies, UCSB) to discuss the film project From Ground Zero, an anthology of films made by Palestinian filmmakers since the beginning of the war in Gaza. They discuss how the films present a unique vision of Gaza, showing a vibrant society dealing with the outbreak of war, and how the films urge the audience to become informed viewers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40923]
Film historian Rebecca Prime joins moderator Ross Melnick (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of the classic Hollywood film The Sound of Fury. Prime outlines the film’s production history and how its political and social commentary was shaped by its director, Cy Endfield, who would go on to be blacklisted due to his association with the Communist Party. They further discuss Endfield’s subsequent work in London and how he struggled with the blacklist for the rest of his career. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40919]
Documentary subject and Chicano activist Jerry Ramirez joins moderator Clint Terrell (English, UCSB) for a discussion of the documentary film American Homeboy. They discuss Ramirez’s involvement with the film, his relationship to his Chicano identity, and how his experience being incarcerated fueled his activism, particularly in relation to Chicano issues. Ramirez and Terrrell reflect on how the film portrays Chicano history, including how Chicana and Chicano identity has been shaped over time. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40921]
Over 20 years since its release, Hedwig and the Angry Inch remains as relevant as ever to the politics of the day. A child of division, Hedwig refuses to be caught between categories, instead evading gender description and embracing herself as lovingly as one can. Writer/director/actor John Cameron Mitchell joins moderator Patrice Petro, Dick Wolf Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center, to discuss a post-screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40922]
Film curators Michelle Baroody and Maggie Hennefeld join moderator Patrice Petro for a discussion of their program “Archives of Anonymous Labor: From Farce to Liberation.” The program juxtaposes five films that about anonymity and labor, from silent films that show the invisible labor of housemaids and film editors to films that highlight the erased labor of decolonial struggle. This program is part of the Carsey-Wolf Center annual conference Anonymous Labor in Film and Media. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40920]
Carol Stabile (Clark Honors College, University of Oregon) joins moderator Patrice Petro for a discussion of “CBS and the 1950s Blacklist,” a program that included an episode of the television sitcom The Goldbergs and William N. Robson’s radio broadcast titled “Open Letter on Race Hatred.” They discuss the history of anti-communist activism in the U.S. and how CBS capitulated to the FBI and its blacklisting campaign. Stabile also outlines how the FBI targeted public intellectuals and artists. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40918]
Filmmaker RaMell Ross joins moderator Mireille Miller-Young, UCSB Feminist Studies, for a discussion of Nickel Boys. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40545]
Filmmaker Adamu Chan joins UC Santa Barbara’s Althea Wasow for a powerful conversation about "What These Walls Won’t Hold", a documentary he created while incarcerated at San Quentin during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film, which aired nationally on PBS’s "America ReFramed", captures the resilience and activism of incarcerated people and their communities in the face of crisis. Chan shares how filmmaking became a tool for resistance and healing, offering an inside look at life behind bars. This discussion explores the film’s creative process, its social justice impact, and the importance of centering incarcerated voices. It’s an inspiring program about storytelling, humanity, and the power of community—even in the most challenging circumstances. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40540]
The Carsey-Wolf Center welcomes Jeff Bridges and Amy Brenneman, the award-winning stars of The Old Man, for a conversation with director/writer/producer Brad Silberling. Bridges and Brenneman share their creative perspectives on the series’ treatment of aging and discuss other aspects of their unique collaboration. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40544]
The Moon and Back is the directorial debut of UCSB Film and Media Studies alumnus Leah Bleich. The Carsey-Wolf Center was proud to welcome Leah back to campus for a discussion of her film with UCSB moderator Ross Melnick. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40543]
In collaboration with the Transnational Italian Studies Program, the Carsey-Wolf Center presents a discussion examining the long history of Black African life in Italy with filmmakers Daphne Di Cinto and Medhin Paolos and UCSB moderator Stephanie Malia Hom. They discuss the short films Il Moro and Asmarina. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40541]
Screenwriter and playwright Phyllis Nagy joins moderator Patrice Petro for a discussion of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 classic Strangers on a Train. Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s debut novel, the film follows tennis player Guy Haines (Farley Granger), who meets the charming but disturbed Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) during a chance encounter on a train. Bruno proposes they “swap” murders—he’ll kill Guy’s wife, and Guy will kill Bruno’s father—eliminating any obvious motive. When Bruno follows through, Guy finds himself caught in a dangerous game of blackmail and suspense. Known for its striking visual style and psychological complexity, Strangers on a Train is celebrated as one of Hitchcock’s most influential thrillers, offering a masterclass in tension and moral ambiguity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40542]
Nicholas Baer, author of Historical Turns: Weimar Cinema and the Crisis of Historicism, joins moderator and Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro for a discussion of Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40537]
Thirty years after the film’s release, Fresh Kill has been remastered by the Fales Library & Special Collections of New York University. Fresh Kill director/producer Shu Lea Cheang traveled with filmmakers Jean-Paul Jones and Jazz Franklin on a nationwide roadtrip to screen the remastered 35mm print of the film at independent arthouse cinemas across the country, and to engage local communities on issues of environmental racism and activist resistance. Shu Lea Cheang joins moderator Jigna Desai from UCSB's Center for Feminist Futures to discuss the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40538]
Filmmaker Madhuja Mukherjee joins UCSB professor Bishnupriya Ghosh for a conversation about Deep6, a Bengali-language drama set in Kolkata during the politically charged year of 2011. The film follows Mitul, a solitary journalist navigating the end of West Bengal’s 34-year Communist rule while confronting personal loss and shifting identities. Starring Tillotama Shome, Deep6 blends realism with elements of magical realism, exploring memory, trauma, and transformation in a changing city. The film premiered at the 26th Busan International Film Festival and was featured at both the International Film Festival of Kerala and the Kolkata International Film Festival. Mukherjee, also a professor of Film Studies at Jadavpur University, brings deep insight into the film’s themes and structure. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40539]
Director Pamela Yates joins UCSB professor Giovanni Batz for a conversation about Borderland | The Line Within, a powerful documentary exploring the human cost of U.S. immigration policy. The film examines the “border industrial complex”—a vast system of surveillance, detention, and deportation—through the personal stories of immigrants resisting systemic injustice. Highlighting voices like Mayan activist Kaxh Mura’l and DACA recipient Gabriela Castañeda, Yates reveals how the border extends far beyond geography. This discussion sheds light on the role of storytelling in challenging structural violence and advocating for dignity, justice, and human rights. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40532]
Sound editor Javier Umpierrez joins moderator Greg Siegel (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of his work on director Apichatpong Weeresethakul’s film Memoria. They discuss how Umpierrez’s background in radio informed his work building the soundscape of the film. They also explore the challenges of designing and editing sound for films in which sound is an essential narrative component. Umpierrez further discusses his experience working with Apichatpong Weeresethakul. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40531]
In the early 20th century, Budapest was the second-largest Jewish city in Europe, and Jewish artists and intellectuals played a major role in the city’s cosmopolitan cultural life. Among them was theater and cinema director and producer Béla Pásztor, whose career was marked by early success and later oppression. In a conversation with UC San Diego history professor Deborah Hertz, Béla’s son, Rafael Pastor, explores his family’s history before, during, and after the Nazi occupation of Hungary, including his parents’ emigration to Israel, where he was born. In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the deportations and annihilations of Hungarian Jews in 1944, which Béla survived in hiding, the conversation is preceded by a brief historical overview and survivor testimonies of this harrowing—and unforgettable—tragedy. Series: "Library Channel" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40227]
Director Don Hertzfeldt joins moderator Miguel Penabella (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of his films ME and It’s Such a Beautiful Day. They discuss his time as a UCSB student and his early interest in animation, as well as the development of his new film. Hertzfeldt also shares insights into his influences from silent cinema, and his thematic interests in deep time and memory across his work. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40070]
Composer Christopher Willis joins moderator Tyler Morgenstern (Assistant Director, Carsey-Wolf Center) for a discussion of his work on Schmigadoon! They discuss how theatrical and movie musical history, as well as Willis’ musicology background, informs the music of the show. They explore the challenge of composing an underscore, and incorporating the stylistic variation of decades of musicals, from the Golden Age musical tradition to the darker themes of 1960s and 1970s productions. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39993]
Director Lynn Hershman Leeson joins moderator Letícia Cobra Lima (History of Art & Architecture, UCSB and curator of A Box of One’s Own) for a discussion of her film !Women Art Revolution. They discuss her history as an artist, and the difficult process of piecing together a narrative from hundreds of hours of footage, interviews, and extensive archival research. They also examine the institutional issues faced by women in the art world and make connections between past and present artists. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39975]
Writer/director Sam Kadi and actors William Atherton and Rizwan Manji join moderator Juan Campo (Religious Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of their film The Citizen. They share their experiences making the film and drawing inspiration from real Arab-American stories. They also discuss the continued relevance of the film’s themes, including issues of citizenship, the immigrant experience, racial prejudice, and the right to protest, as well as the representation of Arab-Americans on-screen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39978]
Filmmaker Sreemoyee Singh joins moderator Shiva Balaghi (Area Global Initiative, UCSB) for a discussion of her film And, Towards Happy Alleys. They discuss the impetus for the film and Singh’s research into the cinema of Iran, as well as her travels to the country. Singh reflects on her experiences documenting Iranian filmmakers like Jafar Panahi and meeting those close to and following in the footsteps of the late Forugh Farrokhzad. She also discusses lessons learned as a documentary filmmaker. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39779]
Producer Angela Laprete and actor Lindsay Watson join moderator Tyler Morgenstern (Assistant Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) for a discussion of their film The Wind and the Reckoning. They discuss the film’s origins and telling the story in the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi language. They also speak on the development of the script, its approach to genres like the Western and historical drama, working with cultural consultants, and the importance of authentic and thoughtful cultural representation. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39977]
Director Sam Pollard joins moderator Wendy Eley Jackson (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of his film Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes. They discuss his long and remarkable career as a documentary filmmaker and the life of jazz musician Max Roach. They also reflect on Pollard’s varied documentary subject matter throughout the decades, from dressage to graffiti to the civil rights movement, and working closely with director Spike Lee. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39974]
Director and co-writer Erica Tremblay joins moderator Lisa Parks (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of her film, Fancy Dance. They discuss the development of the film and Tremblay’s three-year-long journey to study the Cayuga language in preparation. They also discuss Lily Gladstone’s central performance, the role of dance as a central motif, and the foregrounding of queer identity and culture in the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39971]
Director Kemp Powers joins moderator Mireille Miller-Young (Feminist Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of his film Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. They discuss the development of the film, the origins of characters like Spider-Punk, and various artistic influences. Powers also shares his experiences working with a large, diverse animation team and thoughtfully addressing issues of representation and authenticity. They also discuss the storytelling and expressive possibilities of animation. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39976]
Director Nicole Newnham joins moderator Kyna McClenaghan (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of her film The Disappearance of Shere Hite. They discuss the origin of the film and her interest in Shere Hite, as well as the archival research undertaken in making the documentary. Together, they also detail the work of Shere Hite in the context of the feminist movement of the time, the sexist backlash she received, and the enduring impact of The Hite Report and other studies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39973]
Filmmaker Jess X. Snow joins UCSB's Heidi Amin-Hong to discuss a selection of Snow’s films and their broader artistic journey. As a multidisciplinary artist, Snow's work encompasses poetry, visual art, and film, often addressing themes like the model minority myth, community care, mutual aid, and the Asian-American immigrant experience. They also explore how their films depict queer intimacy and the romantic and erotic agency of Asian-Americans. The conversation provides a deep dive into Snow’s creative process and how their diverse body of work challenges stereotypes and offers empowering narratives for marginalized communities. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39972]
Writer/director Gregg Araki joins moderator Bhaskar Sarkar (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of his film, Nowhere. Araki reflects on post-punk and do-it-yourself subcultures, as well as his memories taking film classes at UCSB as an influence on his work. He also discusses the cult following and home distribution of the film, the legacy of independent and new queer cinema on his career, and finding influence in new wave film movements and the city of Los Angeles. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39781]
Filmmaker/curator Márton Orosz joins moderator George Legrady (Media Arts & Technology, UCSB) for a discussion of György Kepes: Interthinking Art + Science. They discuss the career of György Kepes and his groundbreaking work at MIT, and presenting his life onscreen. They also explore the development of the field of art and technology in the twentieth century, as well as Kepes’ continued significance and legacy in the present day. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39735]
Actor Meg Ryan joins moderator Brad Silberling for a discussion of the romantic comedy classic When Harry Met Sally. They share behind-the-scenes stories of the film’s late screenwriter Nora Ephron and the enduring legacy of the film. They also reflect on the development of the film’s script and iconic characters, the process of shooting scenes and bringing Harry and Sally to life onscreen, and Meg Ryan’s work both in front of and behind the camera over the course of her career. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39638]
Associate producer Steve Starkey and screenwriter Peter S. Seaman join moderator Tyler Morgenstern (Assistant Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) for a discussion of the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. They discuss the early development and complex visual effects of the film. They also discuss the state of Walt Disney Studios in the 1980s and the industrial contexts surrounding the film, as well as allegories of segregation and urban sprawl in Los Angeles worked into the narrative. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39737]
Director Deborah Stratman joins moderator Alex Lilburn (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of her film, Last Things. Stratman discusses the varied ecological, geological, literary, and cinematic inspirations of the film and thinking beyond anthropic time scales. Together, they also discuss the structure of the documentary, the use of voiceover and outside excerpts, the scientific concepts explored throughout, and the research undertaken in the development process for the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39639]
Kashif Shaikh, co-founder and president of Pillars Fund, joins moderator Mona Damluji (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a discussion of the film Polite Society. Shaikh discusses working closely with director Nida Manzoor and themes of sisterhood, class hierarchy, and patriarchal power in the film. Together, they also discuss ways of subverting cliches and stereotypes in South Asian and Muslim representation onscreen and share perspectives on authenticity and a new generation of filmmakers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39736]
Filmmakers Valerio Ciriaci and Isaak Liptzin join UC Santa Barbara moderator Stephanie Malia Hom to discuss their film, Stonebreakers. They detail the origins of the project and their interest in monuments as a trigger for political action and historical discourse. They also discuss their experiences filming protests and broader political action against police brutality and systemic racism, and share perspectives on documentary film’s delicate tension between history and memory. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39636]
Filmmaker James N. Kienitz Wilkins joins moderator Tyler Morgenstern, Assistant Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center, for a discussion of Still Film. They discuss its narrative and formal structure, as well as its thematic interests in the problems plaguing contemporary Hollywood. They also reflect on the film’s use of language and larger questions of cinema, memory, and nostalgia. Moreover, Wilkins discusses his use of 35mm press kit photos in the film and multiple meanings behind the term “stillness.” Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39637]
Lucas Hilderbrand of UC Irvine joins UC Santa Barbara moderator Graham Feyl to discuss the film Paris is Burning. They review the history of its exhibition and the film’s enduring legacy as a powerful portrait of queer life, resistance, beauty, and art. They also discuss the unique structure of the documentary, the cultural contexts of drag balls for trans communities of color, and Paris is Burning’s significance in the history of trans representation onscreen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39635]
Director Miguel Coyula and actor Lynn Cruz join UC Santa Barbara's Kiley Guyton Acosta and Cristina Venegas to discuss their film, Corazón Azul. They discuss the allegorical significance of its imagery, which draws from Cuban political and historical contexts for its alternate reality narrative. They also share insights into the long, complicated development of the film over the years and reflect on what independent cinema means in Cuba. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39634]
Filmmaker Juel Taylor joins UC Santa Barbara moderator Mireille Miller-Young for a discussion of his film They Cloned Tyrone as part of our Black Hollywood series. Taylor details the development of the film and its narrative and thematic inspirations and ideas. Together, they discuss each of the three main characters and the film’s playful subversion of racial stereotypes and Blaxploitation tropes. They also reflect on the film’s exploration of conspiracy theories in Black communities. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39633]
Filmmaker Alejandro M. Flores Aguilar and moderator Giovanni Batz discuss the film Ixiles: Voices from the Shadows of Time. Aguilar details the origin of the project, as well as the historical contexts of Indigenous resistance in the Ixil region of Guatemala. They also discuss issues surrounding ethnographic research, the responsibilities of academics, and the future of anti-colonial resistance. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39575]
Filmmaker Anthony Banua-Simon joins moderator Patrice Petro to discuss his documentary film Cane Fire. They explore the historical and colonial relationships between the plantation economy, the film industry, and tourism in Hawai’i, and larger questions posed by the film. Banua-Simon also discusses his approach to interrogating Hollywood history and how archival materials, oral records, and conspicuous historical absences drive his central critique. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39574]
Writer/producer Gabe Liedman and moderator Tyler Morgenstern discuss the film Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, a screening programmed alongside a workshop on comedy writing. Liedman discusses the collaborative work of comedy and the unique comedic style of the film. He also shares his favorite jokes and moments in the movie, and how the film has been impactful for their own work as a comedian and screenwriter. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39565]
Director Arthur Jones and producer Giorgio Angelini join moderator Chelsea Kai Roesch from UC Santa Barbara to discuss their film "Feels Good Man." They talk about working with artist Matt Furie and unpack the social and political contexts behind Pepe the Frog and its cooptation by the alt-right. They also reflect on the cinematic challenges in telling a story about the internet and discuss the larger implications of internet culture and political polarization in the United States. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39567]
Timothy Corrigan of the University of Pennsylvania joins moderator Patrice Petro to discuss Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s classic film Ali: Fear Eats theSoul. Together, they examine the larger body of work and influences of the German filmmaker, which include Brechtian aesthetics and classical Hollywood melodramas like that of Douglas Sirk. They also offer close readings of scenes from the film, analyzing themes of class, race, and gender and the social relations of melodrama. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39573]
Filmmaker Sam Kadi joins moderator Juan Campo, professor of religious studies at UC Santa Barbara, for a discussion of the film Lamya’s Poem. Together, they consider how the film employs magical realism to interweave scenes from the lives of contemporary Syrian refugees with the experiences of 13th century poet Rumi. Kadi discusses the uses of animation in crafting a fantastical world, and shares perspectives on the important role of music, a conversation that continued with input from composer Christopher Willis, who was in attendance for the screening. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39479]
Māori novelist Witi Ihimaera, author of the 1987 novel The Whale Rider, joins moderator Nicola Daly (University of Waikato) for a post-screening discussion of Niki Caro’s 2002 film Whale Rider. Ihimaera discusses the novel’s relationship to Māori stories and cultural practices, his writing process, and the film’s enduring legacy. This event was presented in conjunction with the 26th biennial Congress of the International Research Society for Children’s Literature (IRSCL). Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39338]
UC San Diego Library’s Signature Event Series kicks off with a conversation with filmmaker and author Mason Engel. Engel talks about his current work, “Books Across America,” as well as his past films and his novel “2084.” The discussion is moderated by Audrey Geisel University Librarian Erik T. Mitchell. Series: "Writers" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39321]
Professors France Winddance Twine (Sociology, UCSB) and Lisa Parks (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) join Marc Francis (Assistant Editor of Film Quarterly) in a conversation about power dynamics and inequality in the tech world of Silicon Valley, showing and discussing clips of the shows Super-Pumped and WeCrash. The topics they discuss expand upon their published article in Film Quarterly, addressing the exploitative working conditions for women and people of color inside this industry. Their conversation highlights the wastefulness and corruption of massive Silicon Valley corporations and unpacks larger cultural assumptions about corporate self-regulation and the celebrity personas of CEOs. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39055]
Writer/director Todd Field joins moderator Tyler Morgenstern (Assistant Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) in a post-screening discussion of TÁR. Field details the origins and development of the film, including the creation of protagonist Lydia Tár. He elaborates on the public persona she curates in the film and larger thematic questions of exploitation, cultural authority, and the geopolitics of abuse. They also discuss the involvement of non-profit organization Xapiri Ground and their work with the Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest, as well as photographer David Díaz Gonzales, who created a key image with actress Cate Blanchett for the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39057]
Director/executive producer David Mandel joins Patrice Petro (Dick Wolf Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) for a post-screening discussion about the HBO miniseries White House Plumbers. In their discussion, Mandel details the origins of the show and distinguishes it from other noteworthy historical adaptations of the Watergate scandal, emphasizing its focus on overlooked figures and its balancing of political drama and tragedy. He also shares his experiences working with lead actors Justin Theroux and Woody Harrelson, as well as the efforts he and his crew made to faithfully recreate the show’s period aesthetic in the midst of a pandemic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39056]
Shelley Stamp (Film & Digital Media, UC Santa Cruz) joins moderator Kelsey Moore (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) in a post-screening discussion on George Cukor’s classic 1944 film Gaslight, sharing thoughts on genre, the origin of gaslighting as a term, and the film’s historical legacy. Their conversation also dives into the complexities of gender and the historical contexts of the Second World War and Hollywood’s Golden Age. They discuss the relationships between Gothic melodrama and film noir, as well as these films’ appeal to female audiences. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39053]
Director Yoruba Richen joins moderator Mireille Miller-Young (Feminist Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of her film The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks. Richen elaborates on the overlooked but significant breadth and impact of Rosa Parks’ lifelong contributions to the Civil Rights movement in and beyond the Montgomery bus boycott, and positions her radical politics alongside Dr. King and Malcolm X. She also details the archival work and collaborative process that brought this film to life during the challenges of the pandemic, and the importance of incorporating Parks’ actual words from her journal entries. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39052]
Del Zamora (writer, director, and producer) joins moderator Ben Olguín (English, UCSB) in a post-screening discussion of The Last Brown Beret, an adaptation of a play by Alfredo Ramos that explores Chicanx activism and history in Los Angeles. Together, they discuss the impact of the civil rights movement that arose in the 1960s and the connections between the Brown Berets, the Black Panther Party, and the American Indian Movement, and its influence on the film. Zamora also details the development of the film, the challenges that Latinx filmmakers face, and storytelling choices in the film’s structure and characterization. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39051]
Writer Eliza Jiménez Cossio joined moderator Chip Badley (English, UC Davis) for a post-screening discussion of the show Our Flag Means Death. Cossio shares her experiences as a writer and details various casting insights during the pre-production of the show, including their unique approach to adapting familiar characters and bringing in guest stars. She also elaborates on the influence of sitcoms and romantic comedy films in her writing, and how the diversity of their writers’ room helped shape the diversity of characters onscreen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39054]
Yvett Merino (Producer, Walt Disney Animation Studios) joins moderator Dolores Inés Casillas (Chicana and Chicano Studies, UCSB) in a post-screening discussion of Encanto, the acclaimed Disney animation film about a multigenerational family with magical powers in the mountains of Colombia. In their conversation, they discuss the importance of Latinx representation in mainstream media, reflecting on the film’s themes of intergenerational trauma and its power to spark important conversations among family audiences. Merino also shares the significance of including an immigrant story in the film and details the development and release of the film, including the impact the pandemic had on viewing practices. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39050]
Director Paromita Vohra joins moderator Bhaskar Sarkar (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) in a discussion of her film Partners in Crime, which dives into the world of copyright law, piracy, and the fluid nature of authorship. She dives into concepts like the cultural commons and the complicated nature of artistic value. She also details the social and economic contexts of the bazaar and the impacts of a rapidly changing economic landscape on art. They share perspectives on the diversity of people involved in the “illegal” market, the impacts of colonization and neoliberal practices, and the nuances of conflicting definitions of ownership. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39048]
Lucy Fischer (English and Film Studies, University of Pittsburgh) joins moderator Patrice Petro (Dick Wolf Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) in a post-screening discussion of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, a psychological thriller about the rivalry between aging Hollywood sisters. In their conversation, they illuminate the similarities between the film’s themes and the much publicized behind-the-scenes drama between stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Fischer reflects on the film’s playful incorporation of conventions from Gothic horror and melodrama, as well as its status as a camp classic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39049]
Director Ramona S. Diaz joins moderator Miguel Penabella (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of her documentary A Thousand Cuts. She details her experiences closely following Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa and the Rappler team’s fight for press freedom in the Philippines, as well as observations from political rallies of those aligned with former President Rodrigo Duterte. The discussion also explored issues surrounding journalistic persecution, the emergence of social media disinformation. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 39015]
Artist Vishal Jugdeo and poet vqueeram join moderator Cathy Thomas (English, UCSB) to discuss their film Does Your House Have Lions, which features a queer household of activists and academics in New Delhi living under the shadow of increasing authoritarianism. They discuss the film’s exploration of different forms of queer intimacy and propose possibilities for resistance against state violence. They also reflect on communal ideas of freedom, ways of building spaces of joy, and incorporating friendship as a method of artistic and scholarly practice. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 39016]
Filmmakers Joyce García and Alvaro Parra join moderator Alexandra Lippman to discuss their two documentaries on cumbia sonidera, or Colombia-inspired dance music, in Mexico City and Los Angeles, "Yo No Soy Guapo" and “Sonidero Metropolis.” They explore the cultural significance of the sonidero in shaping regional music scenes and tastes, as well as the impacts of migration patterns, diasporic experiences, and technological and generational changes in transforming cumbia culture. They also share their insights on the experiences and difficulties in documenting the protagonists of their films, and the surprising lives those figures lead both professionally and personally. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38944]
Doris Berger, co-curator of Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898-1971 at the Academy Museum, joins moderator Peter Bloom to discuss the film Carmen Jones and the legacy of actress Dorothy Dandridge. Berger explains the backstory of how the Regeneration exhibition was originally conceived and developed, detailing her experiences digging through archival materials and discovering materials from films with all-Black casts in the 1920s and 30s. She also discusses her perspective on Carmen Jones and its significance to film history, as well as on the career of Dorothy Dandridge, from early soundies like Cow Cow Boogie to late career works like Porgy and Bess. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38894]
Writer/director Maysoon Pachachi joins moderator Mona Damluji for a discussion of her film "Our River...Our Sky," which tells the story of ordinary people living in Baghdad under occupation. Pachachi details the origin of the project and the film’s early development, including casting considerations and lessons learned from her documentary work. She also discusses the political contexts of the film and how life in Iraq changed as a result of civil war and occupation, and how real-world stories inspired the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38945]
Director Julia Mintz and executive producer Eva Haller engage in a post-screening discussion of their film Four Winters, where they provide insights into the making of the documentary. Mintz details the process of collecting and editing footage of countless interview subjects to tell the heroic story of Jewish partisans during the Second World War, and Haller emphasizes the importance of sharing those stories for posterity. They recount personal stories of loved ones and their experiences during the war, and reflect on the challenges and significance of revisiting and preserving history. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38895]
Roman Koropeckyj, Professor in the Department of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Languages & Cultures at UCLA, joins moderator Sasha Razor for a discussion of Sergei Parajanov’s film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors, sharing insight into Ukrainian culture and history. Koropeckyj discusses the making of the film and details the complexities of Ukrainian culture and history, including the Hutsul ethnic group around which the film revolves. They contextualize the political volatility during the film’s production and broaden discussion to a longer history of Ukrainian oppression, all the way to contemporary struggles. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38876]
Ray Santisteban, director and producer, joined Ben Olguin, the director of the global Latinidades project of UCSB, in the Carsey Wolf center to talk about his documentary Time of the Phoenix: The First Rainbow Coalition. In their discussion, Ray Santisteban mentions how he came to make this documentary and how he started his film making career. He also talks about how documentary film-making enables him to do what Hollywood film making does not. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38821]
Production designer Akin McKenzie joined moderator Mireille Miller-Young (Feminist Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of his work in visualizing the world of The Woman King. The discussion revolved around McKenzie’s extensive research from out-of-print books, photos, and other archival materials to disentangle complex historical events from colonial revisionism. McKenzie also detailed his collaboration process with director Gina Prince-Bythewood and shared thoughts on Black representation in Hollywood and the future of Black cinema. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38875]
Writer/director Antonio Dikele Distefano and scholar/filmmaker Fred Kuwornu discuss the film Autumn Beat with Claudio Fogu. Distefano details his experiences writing books and magazines and his transition to cinematic work, as well as his experiences growing up as a young Black man in Italy. Kuwornu elaborates on the evolving Black cultural renaissance in Italy and the struggles involved with it. They reflect on the themes of the film, including disability, parenthood, self-expression, and legacies of colonialism, all of which center on a story about the Italian rap scene. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38820]
Moderator Peter Bloom is joined by Kim Knowles and Carrie Noland for a discussion of how contemporary experimental film represents multi-species relationships and dependencies. Together, they consider how experimental cinema can animate alternative understandings of the relations between human and non-human animals. Addressing questions of genre, style, narration, and performance, Knowles, Noland and Bloom highlight the political and aesthetic complexity of the cinematic representation of animals. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38777]
Patrice Petro and E. Ann Kaplan discuss Irving Rapper’s classic 1942 melodrama, Now, Voyager. Together, Petro and Kaplan situate the film historically in the context of the Second World War and the changing dynamics of the domestic and public spheres. They also address the film’s unique depiction of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, and consider its complex representation of mother-daughter relationships. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38776]
Co-writer and co-director Jessica Woodworth joined moderator Stephen N. Borunda (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of her film Altiplano and the process of developing a film about environmental and indigenous exploitation in Peru. Woodworth reflected on the role of music in shaping the emotional experience of the film. She also shared details of how current ecological issues and the culture of the region contributed to the narrative. Moreover, she discussed the real-life mercury spill and locally produced photography under the TAFOS project in Peru from 1986 to 1998 as key elements that contributed to the development of the film and its ideas. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38775]
Moderator Cristina Venegas joined Chicano and Chicana Studies Professors Gerardo Aldana, Giovanni Batz, and Daina Sanchez to discuss Wakanda Forever and Indigenous Worldbuilding. Professor Gerardo Aldana served as a consultant on the film’s representation of Mesoamerican cultures and played the role of UN assembly chairperson in the film. The panel discussed the politics of representation and the film’s themes of displacement and diaspora. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38744]
Guests Elizabeth Gabler (President, 3000 Pictures) and Marisa Paiva (Executive Vice President, 3000 Pictures) join moderator Emily Zinn (Associate Director, Carsey-Wolf Center) for a post-screening discussion of their 2022 adaptation of D.H. Lawrence’s classic, Lady Chatterley’s Lover. Together, Gabler and Paiva discuss how they came to adapt D.H. Lawrence’s classic novel for through a feminist lens for a contemporary audience. They also address the challenges of bringing classic works to the screen through creative collaboration, and the key role of screenwriter David Magee in bringing Lawrence’s language and voice to life. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38719]
Composer and filmmaker Clarence Barlow joined moderator Peter Bloom (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of Barlow’s pioneering work on composition and experimental film, including: Uccelli Ungheresi (1988), Kuri Suti Bekar (1998), Estudio Siete (1995/2015), )ertur( (2015), Evanescent Evidence (2021), and Zero Crossing (2001). Barlow shared insights on the development of his films and the importance and use of sound, particularly his unique approach to tonality and metricism. He also reflected on his long career and his fascination with mapping sound to visual media. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38717]
Guests Trinankur Banerjee (Film & Media Studies, UCSB) and Bishnupriya Ghosh (Global Studies & English, UCSB) join moderator Bhaskar Sarkar (Film & Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of Satyajit Ray’s The Hero (1966). Together, Ghosh, Sarkar and Banerjee discuss how The Hero became one of Ray’s most iconic films thanks in part to the star power of beloved screen couple Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore. They also consider how Ray deftly explores themes of stardom and celebrity in the contest of the Indian film industry. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38716]
Guests Pujita Guha (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) and Bishnupriya Ghosh (Global Studies & English, UCSB) join moderator Bhaskar Sarkar (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of Satyajit Ray’s The Golden Fortress (1974). Together, Guha, Ghosh, and Sarkar discuss the literary origins of Ray’s film, its popular appeal in the 1970s in India, and how it helps us to better understand Ray as a maker of popular genre film. They also discuss how Ray channeled influences from science fiction, detective fiction, travelogues, and other popular genres to create a distinctive and iconic body of cinematic work. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38715]
Director James Hayman joins moderator Patrice Petro, (Dick Wolf Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) for a post-screening discussion of episode 51 of The Sopranos. Together, they explore how Hayman created a riveting, nuanced portrait of mafia and family life. Hayman offers insights into matching the darkly comedic style of the series, and how his education in film and media studies has shaped his work. He also addresses the relationship between cinematography, direction, and storytelling, and how these elements work together in the penultimate conclusion to season four. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38734]
Moderator Ben Olguín joined filmmaker Ellie Walton and poet Sami Miranda for a post-screening discussion of the documentary La Manplesa: An Uprising Remembered. Together, they discussed the importance of artistic collaboration and community, the relationship between art and activism, and current events that echo the story of injustice in DC’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. Walton reflected on the experiences that compelled her to create this documentary, and Miranda shared his personal discovery of his grandfather’s old photographs, which helped him better understand his own artistic practice. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38621]
Moderator Mireille Miller-Young joined Diversity in Cannes founder Yolonda Brinkley and filmmaker Wendy Eley Jackson to discuss this important initiative and to celebrate the achievements of global Black women in film. Collectively, they outlined the background and impact of the initiative and strategies for Black women and their allies to create global change. They also reflected on the serious representation gaps in the international film industry and their own experiences breaking barriers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38549]
Screenwriter Katie Silberman discusses the writing process for the hit coming-of-age film Booksmart with moderator Matt Ryan. Silberman examines the challenges in developing unique characters and overcoming high school stereotypes. She reflects on her work with director Olivia Wilde and the creation of key scenes and themes in the film. Breaking down the script, Silberman explores the importance of pacing, character development, and emotional authenticity. She explains how the cast worked collaboratively to make this high school comedy stand out and faithfully represent a modern generation of youth. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38382]
Professor Jennifer Rhee (English, Virginia Commonwealth University) joins Melody Jue (English, UCSB) to discuss the film Arrival and its short story predecessor, “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang. They explore the dynamics of free will, determinism, disorientation, communication, language, and temporal non linearity in the science fiction film. Furthermore, they discuss the similarities and differences between the film and the original short story. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38161]
Paul Espinosa, an award-winning filmmaker and producer, is the President/CEO of Espinosa Productions, specializing in films focused on the U.S.-Mexico border region. He has been involved with producing films for over 35 years and is professor emeritus in the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. He has worked with public television stations in San Diego and Dallas as a Senior Producer and Executive Producer and has produced, directed, written and hosted numerous programs for PBS. Espinosa received his Ph.D. from Stanford University in Anthropology. Series: "Critically Human" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 38288]
Writer/director Oualid Mouaness discusses his film 1982 with moderator Paul Amar (Global Studies, UCSB). Mouaness details the development of the film and the importance of depicting an honest representation of the war in Lebanon, especially as a means to bridge gaps between older and younger generations. He explains the significance of telling 1982’s story through a child’s perspective and the unique point-of-view they have in experiencing war and history. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38159]
Acclaimed co-writer/director Abderrahmane Sissako discusses his film Timbuktu with moderators Richard Watts and Peter Bloom. Sissako details the development of the script and its connection to real-world news stories from Mali. He also recalls the political and logistical challenges during the film production. Watts and Bloom discuss the poetic qualities of the film, and in his own words, Sissako describes his artistic objectives with landscape and setting. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38160]
Professor Stephanie Malia Hom (French and Italian Studies, UCSB) joins moderator Anna Brusutti (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) to discuss Italian series Inspector Montalbano to conclude a yearlong screening series on global television. Brusutti provides a thorough breakdown of the history of Italian television broadcasting and distinguishes it from other national contexts. Hom explores the show’s Sicilian setting and ties contemporary discrimination towards migrants from abroad within a broader history of regional and global flows. Hom and Brusutti also examine the regional dialects of the show, as well as the structure of organized crime in Italy. They discuss the prolific work of author Andrea Camilleri and the long history of Inspector Montalbano in Italian television broadcasting. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38156]
Director/co-writer Pamela B. Green and producer/co-writer Joan Simon discuss their documentary Be Natural: The Untold of Alice Guy-Blaché with moderator Cynthia Felando. Green and Simon explain the 10-year-long process of researching making the documentary, as well as their respective inspirations for discovering more about the pioneering film making of Alice Guy-Blaché. Green also discusses her unique directorial approach that involved relaying film history like a “detective story” by involving the audience in her archival work. Simon talks in detail about the feminist scholars and film festivals that first brought Guy-Blaché’s films into academia, and how many of Guy-Blaché’s contributions to early cinema are often overlooked. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38079]
Moderator Jean Beaman joined doctoral candidate Leonard Cortana and Professor Ricado Jacobs to discuss Murder in Paris: The Assassination of Dulcie September. They explore the legacy of Dulcie September, her antiapartheid activism and work in the African National Congress (ANC), and the aftermath and ongoing investigation of her assassination. Cortana and Jacobs also examine the importance of media in the antiapartheid struggle, the continuing challenges of restricted archives, and the need to investigate the broader, intersecting systems of racism and global capitalism in assessing the case of Dulcie September. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38047]
Screenwriter David Koepp discusses with moderator Matt Ryan how wrote the iconic film, Jurassic Park. Koepp breaks down his process of adapting the novel by Michael Crichton, as well as how he worked with director Steven Spielberg to bring the film to life. He describes working from Spielberg’s storyboards to draft key sequences such as the entrance of the T-Rex. Koepp also shares stories from the set of Jurassic Park, including how Jeff Goldblum reacted to the filming of special effects sequences and how the ending of the movie changed during filming. Furthermore, Koepp discusses writing the sequel to Jurassic Park and a number of his other films, including Spider-Man and Panic Room. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38104]
Rick Rosen, WME Agency co-founder and representative for writer/director Hagai Levi, discusses Scenes from a Marriage and the state of global television with moderator Patrice Petro. Rosen details the development of the HBO miniseries and the challenges of adaptation from Ingmar Bergman’s original Swedish television series. He explains the vision of Hagai Levi for this contemporary retelling and a number of other Israeli adaptations he helmed. Rosen also discusses the talents of stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, and how their friendship helped bring to life their fictional counterparts. He also notes the changing media landscape in the wake of streaming platforms, and the past, present, and future of global television. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38080]
Filmmaker Ann Kaneko spoke with moderator Kelsey Moore about the process of directing and editing her documentary, Manzanar, Diverted: When Water Becomes Dust, which depicts an alliance between former Japanese American WWII prisoners, Native Americans, and environmentalists to defend their sources of water. Kaneko describes the decisions behind the structure of the film, as well as its focus on a certain place, which helped to depict the issue of water in relation with different communities. She also discussed the notable use of sound and music in the film, which worked to solidify the characterization of Manzanar, as well as the harshness of its situation. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38039]
Moderator Stephanie Malia Hom joined Professor Joan Roman Resina to discuss Death in Venice and the work of filmmaker Luchino Visconti. Resina contextualized the film within the larger context of Visconti’s German trilogy and his long, storied career. He also discussed the film’s adaptation from the Thomas Mann novella. Resina examined the idea of decadence in the film and the aristocratic Venetian milieus, as well as the film’s larger commentary on art and beauty across the mediums of literature, music, and cinema. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 38038]
In this inaugural episode of The Art of Change, filmmaker, film scholar and Dean of Arts at UC Santa Cruz, Celine Parreñas Shimizu, talks about her personal history as well as her vision for the Arts Division at UCSC. She is well known for her work on race, sexuality and representations, and is the first Asian American female arts dean in the UC system. The daughter of political refugees from the Philippines who immigrated to the U.S. when she was a teenager, Dean Celine (as she likes to be called) earned her B.A. from UC Berkeley, her MFA from UCLA, and her Ph.D. from Stanford University. Series: "The Art of Change" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 37990]
Moderator Jennifer Tyburczy discusses the production and impact of HBO miniseries Veneno with star Daniela Santiago. Santiago talks about the process and pressures of portraying transgender icon La Veneno, and the importance of representation both in front of and behind the camera. She detailed the significance of La Veneno, including her famous charisma and glamor, as well as the struggles she faced in her life. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37991]
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, screenwriters of "Captain America: The First Avenger," discuss the film with moderator Matt Ryan. Markus and McFeely cover how they adapted the beloved comic book hero to the screen, and their collaboration with director Joe Johnston. They explained in detail how they crafted the characters of Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Peggy Carter, as well as some of the behind-the-scenes work they witnessed while on set. They also spoke about their role in crafting the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe with their other Captain America and Avengers films. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37986]
UC Santa Barbara's Script to Screen, hosted by Matt Ryan, was invited onto the 2022 Santa Barbara Film Festival red carpet to interview filmmakers from many 2022 Oscar-nominated movies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37995]
Eric Roth, screenwriter of Dune, discusses the film with moderator Matt Ryan. Roth talks about how he tackled adapting Frank Herbert’s novel to the screen, and his collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve. He also talks about various details of his process, such as how he approached portraying the characters of Paul and Lady Jessica, and bringing the world of Dune to life with his portrayal of the Fremen and the sandworms. Roth elaborates on working with the Herbert family early on to make sure that the legacy of the novels was properly respected. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37862]
Moderator Matt Ryan spoke with Maria Schrader about her film "I’m Your Man," which she directed and co-wrote and is now Germany’s submission for the international film category for the 2022 Academy Awards. The film focuses on Alma, a researcher who is chosen to test a humanoid robot named Tom, who is programmed to be the perfect partner for her. Schrader discussed the exciting and challenging aspects of writing such an unconventional romance story, as well as the process of directing lead actors Maren Eggert and Dan Stevens through the film’s comedic, intimate, and emotional scenes. In response to some questions from the audience, Schrader shared insights on themes of memory and anthropology throughout the film, as well as her own inspirations for filmmaking and screenwriting. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37681]
Destin Daniel Cretton, director and co-writer of Marvel’s Shang-Chi, answered questions about the film from moderator Matt Ryan. Cretton discussed a wide range of topics, including the casting of legendary actors Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh, as well as the intense physical training and emotionally complex performances required of cast members Simu Liu and Meng’er Zhang. He also talked about some of his favorite elements of the film, including the rich familial themes that drive the story. Cretton elaborated on the influences behind his decisions to incorporate complex ideas such as grief and the family dynamics of Asian households, and how these allowed for an unconventional relationship between the film’s hero and villain. He also commented on the importance of Asian representation in the film, and how important it was to portray realistic Asian and Asian American perspectives through its characters. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37683]
A panel consisting of UCSB faculty Lisa Parks, Jean Beaman, and France Winddance Twine discusses the sociological impacts of Netflix’s Lupin. Beaman and Twine dive into the show’s political relevance, handling of representation, and nuanced portrayal of Paris, all of which work to make the show such an effective critique of state power. Each guest brings their own unique background and specialization to contribute thoughtful perspectives on the global dimensions of the show’s political commentary. The discussions on race and representation are of key importance for this panel and make for an important conversation about the film and television industry in general. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37682]
Moderator Patrice Petro speaks with Scott Frank about the influence of German series Babylon Berlin on his own series, The Queen’s Gambit. Scott discusses multiple aspects of Babylon Berlin, including the score, location, plot structure, and production choices, which contributed to his appreciation of German history and television as well as influenced his own choices when making The Queen’s Gambit. Frank explores both the making of The Queen’s Gambit and his opinions on Babylon Berlin. He also comments on viewing habits in the modern era and whether the ability to watch episodes all in one sitting changes the way we experience television. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37629]
Filmmaker and author Cheryl Foggo joins moderator Stephanie Batiste for a virtual discussion of Foggo’s new documentary, John Ware Reclaimed. The film follows Foggo’s quest to recover the story of John Ware, a Black cowboy and rancher who settled in Alberta, Canada prior to the turn of the twentieth century. In conversation with Batiste, Foggo addresses how Ware’s story illuminates histories of Black settlement and anti-Black racism in the Canadian west, touching on questions of national myth-making, intergenerational kinship, and identity across borders. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37195]
Writer/director Sourav Sarangi discusses his 2012 documentary, Char...The No Man's Island, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of working in the India/Bangladesh borderlands. Joined by moderator Bhaskar Sarkar, Sarangi recounts his inspiration for making the film, the struggles he faced during production, and the importance of telling this unique story of life on the border. Char...The No Man's Island follows Rubel, a fourteen-year-old boy who makes a living for his family working as a smuggler around the border island of Char. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37072]
Moderator Diane Fujino joins activist and documentary subject Mike Africa Jr. for a discussion of Tommy Oliver’s new documentary, 40 Years A Prisoner. A riveting chronicle of the controversial 1978 Philadelphia police raid on the radical back-to-nature group MOVE, 40 Years a Prisoner follows Africa Jr.’s decades-long fight to free his parents from prison in the aftermath. Together, Fujino and Africa Jr. discuss how Oliver’s documentary situates the MOVE raid within a longer history of police violence against Black communities in Philadelphia, and the lasting impact of MOVE’s radical philosophy. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37108]
Actor, director, producer, and comedy icon Henry Winkler joins moderator Matt Ryan for a discussion of his work on the hit HBO comedy, Barry. Barry stars Bill Hader as a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest who reluctantly travels to Los Angeles to execute a hit on an aspiring actor. In conversation with Ryan, Winkler provides an in-depth look at his character Gene Cousineau, while also recounting some highlights from his prolific, multi-decade career in television and film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37110]
Writer/director Catherine Hardwicke discusses her directorial debut film, Thirteen, a realistic drama of an innocent teenage girl thrown into a curious world of rebellion, sex, and drugs. In conversation with moderator Matt Ryan, Hardwicke discusses the process of working with co-writer Nikki Reed to capture the reality of Reed’s own teen years, and to transform them in turn into this harrowing yet relatable film. Hardwicke also discusses the joys and challenges of directing, touching briefly on her other directorial work, Twilight. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37106]
Hester Blum, David Clark, and Korenna Estes discuss the film Frozen Obsession, which follows the 18-day, 2,000-mile Northwest Passage Project expedition through the stunningly beautiful and extreme Canadian Arctic, aboard the Swedish research icebreaker Oden. In conversation with Ian Kellett, Blum, Clark, and Estes discuss the process of making the documentary and the lessons they learned as a part of this project, as well as larger issues of climate change. Frozen Obsession follows the expedition of some of the many scientists who are racing to understand a fast-warming Arctic, exploring how environmental changes currently unfolding in the polar regions will affect life on a planetary scale. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37105]
In conversation with moderator Sara Pankenier Weld, filmmaker Holly Morris discusses her 2015 documentary, The Babushkas of Chernobyl. The film offers an intimate look at the remarkable women who continue to live, fish, and forage in the shadow of the ruined Chernobyl nuclear power plant, having refused to leave their homes following the 1986 explosion at reactor 4. Morris details the triumphs and challenges of making this film, the ongoing impacts of the Chernobyl disaster, and the power of community in the face of adversity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37107]
Colin Gunckel and Mirasol Enríquez discuss the impact and importance of the 1983 epic film El Norte, directed by Gregory Nava. In conversation with moderator Ross Melnick, Gunckel and Enríquez reflect on the production and reception of the film in the context of Chicanx filmmaking in the 80s. El Norte tells the story of a Guatemalan brother and sister who flee persecution and journey north along the length of Mexico, with a dream of finding a new home in the United States. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37066]
Director Sanjay Rawal and editor Alexander Meillier discuss their new documentary Gather, which explores the growing movement among Native Americans to reclaim their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food sovereignty, all while battling the trauma of centuries colonial genocide. In conversation with Greg Johnson, Rawal and Meillier discuss the process of making the film, addressing in particular the complicated ethics of documentary representation. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37065]
Trent Atkinson and Brandon Stansell discuss their new film Three Chords and a Lie, which explores the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in country music. In a conversation with Tyler Morgenstern, Stansell and Atkinson discuss the process of making the documentary and the challenges it presented, as well as larger issues of representation and diversity in the country music industry. Three Chords and a Lie follows Stansell as he returns to his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, ten years after coming out as gay to his family. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36815]
A Normal Girl director Aubree Bernier-Clarke, activist/producer Pidgeon Pagonis, and Ponyboi director River Gallo discuss their experiences creating these innovative portraits of contemporary intersex life. In conversation with moderator Xiuhe Zhang, Bernier-Clarke, Pagonis, and Gallo address the challenges that intersex media makers, performers, and writers face in telling their stories, but also highlight how documentary and fiction filmmaking can help to shift popular (mis)conceptions about intersex people and their communities. Ponyboi tells the story of a young intersex sex worker struggling to navigate the terrain's of intimacy and identity, while A Normal Girl focuses on the work of activist Pidgeon Pagonis, who advocates for intersex peoples’ rights to medical non-conformity and bodily self-determination. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36821]
In this roundtable discussion, professors Stephen Groening, Maggie Hennefeld, Brian Jacobson, and Jocelyn Szcepaniak-Gillece reflect on how pandemics past shed new light on how the current COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping the world of cinema. Moderated by Patrice Petro, this conversation addresses questions of risk and exposure in the media industries, the movie theater’s role as public space, and how pandemic-induced streaming changes our understanding of cinema. Participants also explore how fears of viral infection reshape the literal and figurative “atmosphere” of moviegoing. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36820]
Screenwriter and actress Guinevere Turner discusses her experience working on the groundbreaking 1994 film, Go Fish. In a conversation with Assatu Wisseh, Turner recounts how she and director Rose Troche developed their unique story of romance and friendship in a lesbian community in Chicago. A low-budget, independent romantic comedy, Go Fish tells a girl-meets-girl love story that subverts the conventions of the Hollywood romance and the male-centric narratives of New Queer Cinema alike. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36816]
Gabriel Meléndez discusses Herbert J. Biberman’s 1954 film Salt of the Earth, a classic of Chicanx and feminist cinemas. With Stephen Borunda, Meléndez discusses the film’s historical context and the political controversies surrounding its production and release. Salt of the Earth offers a neorealist retelling of a fifteen-month-long strike against the Empire Zinc mining company, initiated in 1951 by Mexican-American miners and their families in Grant County, New Mexico. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36792]
Actress and filmmaker Marielle Heller discusses adapting Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel, The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures, into a screenplay. With UCSB Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan, Heller addresses the challenges of constructing a realistic and honest coming-of-age narrative, told from the perspective of a teenage girl in 1970s San Francisco. The Diary of a Teenage Girl follows Minnie Goetz as she grapples with questions of sexuality, identity, and power in a moment of social and cultural upheaval. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36783]
Moderator Emily Zinn sits down with director/executive producer Brad Silberling for a conversation about Netflix’s new holiday rom-com series, Dash & Lily. Their discussion explores how music, books, and location shooting come together to tell this heartwarming love story. Brad Silbering gives the audience an inside look into the production process and the joy of capturing Christmas in New York before the COVID-19 pandemic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36757]
Charles Randolph discusses adapting the complex story of The Big Short into an Academy Award-winning screenplay. In conversation with UCSB Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan, Randolph recounts how he went about constructing a narrative is highly experimental but nonetheless cohesive and compelling. Recounting the events that precipitated the 2008 financial crisis, The Big Short conveys the complexities of modern finance through a wide range of innovative and humorous storytelling techniques. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36775]
In conversation with Jeremy Moore, Professors Myles McNutt and Laurie Ouellette discuss the complicated politics and cultural legacy of the path-breaking CBS reality show, Survivor. Together, McNutt, Ouellette, and Moore explore questions of genre, power, race, and the changing nature of labor and finance in the media industries. Touching as well on issues of fandom and celebrity, this discussion highlights how Survivor continues to shape the codes and conventions of reality TV even today, twenty years on from its iconic debut season. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36771]
Moderator Miguel Penabella joins writer/director/actor/producer/editor of Lingua Franca (2019), Isabel Sandoval, for a conversation focusing on the film’s social and cultural resonances. With patience and nuance, the film addresses questions of immigration and migrant justice, labor, family, and the diverse experiences of trans women of color. Penabella and Sandoval discuss the evolution of the film and its central story, as well as Sandoval’s intimate involvement in all aspects of its production. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36758]
Writer, producer, and director Anna Biller talks about feminism, witches, and creating movies for female viewing pleasure in this Q&A for her 2016 horror film The Love Witch. Biller’s dedication to exploring feminist themes throughout her work lent itself to an insightful discussion the female gaze. Alongside moderator Rachael Ball, Biller invites us to explore the various feminist themes in The Love Witch and gives further insight into how she consciously explores these in her work and personal life. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36602]
Moderator Patrice Petro joins series co-creator Scott Frank in a discussion of Netflix’s series The Queen’s Gambit. Their discussion explores the drama of chess, the process of adapting a complex novel to the screen, and the role of the child prodigy. Frank discusses working with world renowned chess masters in the development of fictional games, and issues involved in production, casting and design for the series. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36683]
Writer/director Jeff Barnaby sat down with discussant Chelsea Vowel and Moderator Tyler Morgenstern to discuss his subversive zombie plague film, Blood Quantum. This discussion explored how the film took the contagion narrative and flipped it on its head. The speakers explored how the film confronts the violent history of Canadian settler-colonialism through its thoughtful use of genre, language, and narrative. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36613]
Moderator Matt Ryan joined screenwriter/co-producer Christina Hodson in a conversation about the chaotic, funny, action-packed movie Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). This discussion explored the transformation of the story from the Birds of Prey comics to the screen, as well as the major themes of emancipation, independence, and finding your own path. Christina Hodson offered an inside look at the narrative, characters, and character relationships within the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36614]
Moderator Cheri Steinkellner joined writer/actor George McGrath (Globey/Pterri/Cowntess/Fish) and artist/designer/puppeteer Wayne White (Dirty Dog/Randy/Mr. Kite), as well as writer Bill Steinkellner in a conversation about the iconic Saturday morning television program Pee-wee's Playhouse. This freewheeling discussion explored the radical visual style, origins, and enduring legacy of the franchise that centered around the subversive and bizarre Pee-wee Herman character. The panelists offered an inside look at their involvement with the show and the lasting impacts that their work with Paul Reubens had on their lives and careers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36600]
Professor Maggie Hennefeld talks about the subversive nature of Charlie Chaplin’s famous WWII satire in this Q&A for The Great Dictator. Hennefeld also examines the debate over the effectiveness of its deployment of comedy to critique the cruelty of fascism. Alongside moderator Miguel Penabella, Hennefeld invites us to think about the controversiality of this film for its time and how it compares to our understanding of the film in the present day. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36601]
Moderator Alexandra Noi joins author Paul Gregory and director Marianna Yarovskaya in this Q&A for a discussion about their inspiring collaboration on Women of the Gulag. This book and documentary traverse the stories of the victims and survivors of the Gulag, demonstrating the resilience, suffering, and silencing of the women who lived under Stalins dictatorship. The conversation between Gregory, Yarovskaya, and Noi gives insight to their involvement with the project, the difficulties of telling a true story that is widely unknown, and the ways in which a wide scope of reception heightened awareness for patriarchy, violence, and inequality. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36603]
Writer, director, and musician Boots Riley talks about labor politics, surrealism, and hip-hop music in this Q&A for his 2018 subversive comedy Sorry to Bother You. Boots’ dedication to a lifetime of activism and storytelling lent itself to his insightful commentary about the social relevance and ideological impact of his film. Alongside moderator Miguel Penabella, Boots takes us into his mind and shows us the importance of standing up for yourself and others in the face of adversity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36548]
Co-directors/producers Jim Lebrecht and Nicole Newnham talk about their award-winning film, Crip Camp, giving insight to the disability revolution in America. This film tells a story of Camp Jened and offers a unique perspective on equality. Lebrecht and Newnham discuss their initial involvement with the project and the way that it has impacted their lives as well as millions of viewers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36556]
Kyung Hyun Kim, author of Virtual Hallyu: Korean Cinema of the Global Era joins moderator Sowon Park for a discussion of the 2019 subversive film Parasite. Winner of the Best Picture Academy Award in 2020, Parasite offers a raw and emotional look at class disparities in Korea. Kim and Park dissect the film’s themes of poverty, affluence, violence and language. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36555]
Co-directors/producers Sharon Shattuck and Ian Cheney discuss their film Picture a Scientist (2020), which chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. Their conversation gives insight to the films portrayal of the brutal harassment, institutional discrimination, and years of subtle slights faced by women in STEM. Shattuck and Cheney also delve into the production behind their documentary, offering viewers an inside look at the process of telling the story of scientific luminaries who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36511]
Jay Roach discusses the challenges in directing the Austin Powers Trilogy. In this video, Jay Roach talks with UCSB Pollock Theater Director, Matt Ryan, how he approached creating Austin Powers with Mike Meyers. With henchmen, fembots, and innuendo to spare, Austin Powers: quickly became a cultural phenomenon, spawning two sequels Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36510]
Director Darya Zhuk discusses making Crystal Swan, which is a vitriolic comedy set in Belarus circa 1996. The film follows a young female DJ who befriends a rural family in a scheme to obtain her U.S. visa so she can move to Chicago and pursue her house-music career. In her debut tragic comedy, director Darya Zhuk reveals a multilayered vision of time and place and paints a bright, kitschy, vibrant backdrop of familial dynamics and cultural traditions. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36302]
The two-part documentary series "And She Could Be Next" (2020) tells the story of a defiant movement of women of color who are transforming politics from the ground up. The series was filmed during 2018 and 2019. It centers on those at the heart of the movement behind the New American Majority. "And She Could Be Next" features an entirely women of color creative team. Director/producers Grace Lee and Marjan Safinia joined moderator Wendy Eley Jackson (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a Zoom discussion. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36237]
Screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick discuss the challenges of writing genre bending screenplay of Zombieland. In this video, Reese and Wernick talk with UCSB Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan about how they approached balancing the comedy and horror. The screenwriters recounted stories of working with actors Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Abigail Breslin and Bill Murray. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36203]
Screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber discuss the challenges of telling the true-life story of the making of one of the worst films ever made, The Room written and directed by the eccentric Tommy Wiseau. In this video, Neustadter and Weber talk with UCSB Pollock Theater Director, Matt Ryan, how they approached balancing the comedic elements of the chaotic production of the movie The Room with telling an emotionally compelling story. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36063]
New film release models, cinemas in a post-COVID world, and opening night vibes at Magic Mike XXL all arise in this conversation about moviegoing during a pandemic between New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis, Art House Convergence managing director Alison Kozberg, and UC-Santa Barbara professor Ross Melnick. In this video, the three reminisce about favorite movie theater memories and find hope in the potential for revitalized public cinema going after the current health crisis. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 36064]
The challenge of representing global environmental change on screen, the complex process of documentary editing, and the difficulties of location shooting in sensitive areas all arise in this conversation between UC Santa Barbara film and media professor Alenda Chang and co-director Jennifer Baichwal about Anthropocene: The Human Epoch. In this video, Baichwal reflects on the conflicts environmental media makers face between the desire to produce films to raise awareness and the need to limit their own carbon footprints. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35807]
The possibilities of the Nicaraguan revolution, the refusal of current government officials to speak on the record, and the importance of recording the stories of an aging generation all arise in this conversation between director/producer Jenny Murray and moderator Bianka Ballina about ¡Las Sandinistas!. In this video, Murray discusses the reemergence of Nicaraguan protests in 2018 and her film’s uncertain future in the Central American nation. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35764]
Bo Peep’s fierce leadership, modeling a character on a puppy, and the differences between writing for animation and live action all arise in this conversation about the Pixar legendary franchise between Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4) and Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan. In this video, Folsom and Ryan explore her career, the process of writing Toy Story 4, and her work in the Pixar universe. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35766]
Mr. Rogers' wizard-like powers with children and the moment Tom Hanks first appeared on set as Fred arise in this conversation between screenwriter/producer/actor Noah Harpster and Pollock Theater director Matt Ryan about A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. In this video, Harpster recounts his deep personal connection to the story and describes the joy of acting in scenes with Tom Hanks. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35572]
A much-abused wig, the ad-libbing of Michael Keaton, and the gender imbalance in 1980s film makeup departments arise in this conversation about Beetlejuice (1988) between award-winning makeup artist Ve Neill and Rachael Ball (Film and Media Studies, UCSB). In this video, Neill shares a series of illuminating and entertaining anecdotes from many of her iconic film projects including Mrs. Doubtfire, The Lost Boys, and the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35466]
America’s pre-WWII anxieties, Depression-era economic disparity, and the potential for positive social movements arise in this conversation about Frank Capra (director) and Robert Riskin’s (screenwriter) film Meet John Doe (1941) between author Victoria Riskin (Robert Riskin and Fay Wray: A Hollywood Memoir) and film scholar Charles Wolfe. Riskin and Wolfe discuss the multiple endings shot for the film, and Riskin reads passages from her father’s England-based radio broadcasts amidst the Battle of Britain. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35397]
The difficulty of restaging real world trauma on a film set, the challenge of character development based on individuals with non-disclosure agreements, and the power of women speaking truth to power all arise in this conversation about Bombshell (2019) between director Jay Roach and Pollock Theater director Matt Ryan. In this video, Roach discusses the amazing reaction of the cast and crew of Bombshell after the films initial studio backer pulled out weeks before production was set to start. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35410]
Preproduction collaboration on spatial design and character development, the value of bending rules in a supernatural narrative, and the potential for on-set innovation all arise in this freewheeling discussion about the critically-acclaimed Netflix series Russian Doll between production designer Michael Bricker and Carsey-Wolf Center assistant director Wesley Jacks. In the video, Bricker talks hidden easter eggs in set construction and the joy of finding the right construction material at the right moment. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35396]
Advances in film restoration technology, the challenges of matching black and white footage with shades of military khaki, and the depth of Peter Jackson’s passion for all things World War I arise in this conversation about They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) between assistant editor Elliot Travers and Ross Melnick (Film and Media Studies, UCSB). Travers describes the convoluted path the film took from its initial conception as a 30-minute museum commission for England’s Imperial War Museum to an internationally-distributed feature-length film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35411]
The pursuit of fame, changes in China’s youth culture, and the gift economies of live-streaming are explored in this lively conversation between director Hao Wu and Hangping Xu (UC Santa Barbara). Hao vividly compares internet fandom in the US and China and reveals how the lives of the documentary subjects’ has changed since the release of the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35343]
The difficulties of low-budget documentary filmmaking, strategies for first-time political candidates, and the importance of new voices in Congress all arise in this inspiring conversation between producer Sarah Olson, documentary subject (and Missouri congressional candidate) Cori Bush, and Emily Zinn (UC Santa Barbara). In the video, Olsen and Bush share the remarkable energy that arose from a group of insurgents who ran for US Congress against incumbents in 2018. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35341]
The isolation of house arrest, film as a tool for political expression, and the serpentine nature of Iranian cinema all arise in this thoughtful conversation about Jafar Panahi’s documentary, This is Not a Film (2011) between Anna Brusutti (UCSB) and Hamid Naficy (Northwestern University). Naficy and Brusutti’s wide-ranging discussion explores the wit and creativity of the film, the state of Iranian filmmaking, and the importance of cinema to engage entrenched political power. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35342]
The benefits of set fires, the strenuous work of puppetry on film, and the magic of practical film effects are all explored in this energetic discussion between The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance director Louis Leterrier and Carsey-Wolf Center associate director Emily Zinn. The two explore the strengths and challenges of working with puppets and practical effects while reviving the magical world of Jim Henson’s classic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35328]
Dangerous stunts, actor injuries, how to build a twister, and the technicolor production process all arise in this bright and deep conversation about The Wizard of Oz (1939) between UW Milwaukee professor Jocelyn Sczepaniak-Gillece and graduate student Hannah Garibaldi. Professor Sczepaniak-Gillece introduces and describes the gradual formation of the film’s enduring legacy as a nostalgic, family television tradition after its initial box-office disappointment. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35326]
Composited digital and physical special effects, mechanical post-apocalyptic design, and the battle for limited resources are all touched on in this wide-ranging conversation between UC Berkeley professor and special effects scholar Kristen Whissel, and Carsey-Wolf Center director Patrice Petro. The two explore the films depiction of bodies and landscapes, masculinity and femininity. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35327]
Yale University professor and filmmaker Charles Musser explores the historical and contemporary perspectives of race relations in German and American cinema from the 1920s by examining The Ancient Law (1923) and The Jazz Singer (1927). He evaluates how each film addresses anti-Semitism as well as the burning question of the history of blackface as a theatrical convention. Series: "Library Channel" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 35016]
Tying together the Infinity War saga, crafting emotionally satisfying sendoffs to beloved superheroes and dispatching supervillain Thanos all arise as topics in this conversation about Avengers: Endgame (2019) between screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely and Pollock Theater director Matt Ryan. McFeely and Markus also discuss their extensive contributions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe including previous work on Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014). Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35325]
UCSB Script to Screen interviewed this year's Emmy-nominated writers before the 2019 Sublime Primetime panel discussion at the Writers Guild Theater in Los Angeles. Series: "Writers" [Humanities] [Show ID: 35180]
A Q&A featuring director and producer David Elfick, and author and environmentalist Garth Murphy. They are joined by moderator Alexander Champlin in a conversation that covers the production and legacy of the classic surf film Crystal Voyager (1973). Elfick played an instrumental part in the establishment of the New Wave of Australian cinema internationally. Garth Murphy worked with Elfick on the post-production of Crystal Voyager. The Q&A addresses Elfick and Murphy’s work with George Greenough, a legendary surfboard designer and the subject of the documentary. They discuss the production of the film, including acquiring the rights to use Pink Floyd’s "Echoes" in the closing segment of the film. Their conversation also addresses the legacy of Crystal Voyager, in terms of both its historical significance and its groundbreaking style of surf cinematography. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34955]
Scholars Cristina Venegas (UC Santa Barbara) and María Caridad Cumaná (Miami Dade College) discuss the political, literary, and biographical backgrounds of Tomás Guitiérrez Alea’s 1968 classic film Memories of Underdevelopment. While examining the style of the film, Venegas and Cumaná analyze Alea’s skillful adaptation of the plot of Edmundo Desnoes' original 1965 novel as well as the film’s position within Alea’s filmography. They also treat Memories of Underdevelopment's place within the late-60s era of Cuban cultural production and the early-60s era of political tumult. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34956]
Editor Maryann Brandon joins Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan for a conversation about the process of editing Star Trek (2009). The Star Trek franchise has captured the imagination of audiences for over fifty years using a blend of spacefaring high-adventure and futuristic, utopian themes. In 2009, J.J. Abrams refreshed and extended the series with the series’ eleventh film. Brandon explains what is was like to edit a film that was part of such a beloved franchise, as well as how she maintained her own editing style while staying true to the original series. She discusses the process of manipulating footage and cutting on set, as well as how she shapes each scene around an actor’s performance while maintaining a delicate balance between exposition and effects. She also discusses her professional relationship with Abrams, sharing anecdotes from the sets of both Star Trek and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, which she is currently editing under his direction. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34953]
Professor Michael Berry (Asian Languages and Cultures, UCLA) joins PhD candidate Wesley Jacks (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening conversation about Zhang Yimou’s 1987 film adaptation of Mo Yan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Red Sorghum. Berry explains the legacy of the so-called “Fifth Generation” of Chinese filmmakers including Yimou, and how Red Sorghum’s production during the era following Deng Xiaoping’s 1978 shift to an open door policy resulted in a film that was both uniquely a product of its own time, and subject to less censorship and thematic restriction than other eras of Chinese filmmaking. A milestone adaptation of an important literary text, Berry describes some of the history of Yimou’s work on the project, and how many of the cast and crew involved in Red Sorghum have since gone on to have celebrated careers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34884]
Director Nishtha Jain joins UCSB’s Bishnupriya Ghosh (English and Global Studies) for a post-screening discussion of her 2012 film Gulabi Gang. The conversation includes Jain’s early career as a documentary filmmaker, the film’s examination of violence against women in India both as a result of the dowry system and a general social devaluation of women, and how she worked with Gulabi Gang leader Sampat Pal on location with individuals that were sometimes reluctant to speak on their own behalf or who felt conflicting familial loyalties. Jain addresses the film’s unusual three-part structure and her desire to let the complexities of the film’s subject shape the structure, rather than the reverse. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34844]
Lucy Fischer (English and Film Studies, University of Pittsburgh) joins Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro for a post-screening discussion of Alain Resnais’ 1959 film Hiroshima Mon Amour. Fischer places the film, which features a screenplay by the French novelist Marguerite Duras, in the context of other French New Wave cinema; drawing attention in particular to the juxtaposition of images that are simultaneously fictional and documentary, and to the ways in which Duras’s influence is felt throughout the finished film. Fischer and Petro discuss the critical reaction to the film, as well as its meditation on the nature of memory as one of the first major post-WW II art films. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34843]
Archivist Regina Longo (Brown University) joins UCSB’s Harold Marcuse (Department of History) for a discussion of Claude Lanzmann’s final film Shoah: Four Sisters (2018), a four-part miniseries that was screened over two days at the Pollock Theater. Longo’s work includes extensive restoration of Claude Lanzmann’s landmark documentary footage of testimonials from the Holocaust, and in conversation with Marcuse she offers deeper insight into the history of the film and the women it concerns. Longo explains how Lanzmann’s Shoah was initially funded and produced, how hundreds of hours of footage is being carefully restored from original prints and made available online, and how Four Sisters both influences and is situated in a legacy of film, legal testimony, memoir, and other post-war efforts to represent the un-representable horror of the Shoah. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34842]
Filmmakers Kady Le, Lan Nguyen, and Quyên Nguyen-Le join moderator erin Khuê Ninh (Asian American Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of their short films “Like Mother, Like Daughter,” “Bị Kẹt,” and “Nước (Water/Homeland).” The directors each speak to their creative process and how they each worked to articulate subtle and often complex themes with their differing narrative, documentary, and experimental approaches. They explain how personal questions of family, home, community, history, and identity shaped their work, as well as the influence of other Vietnamese-American authors, activists, and filmmakers. This event was co-curated by the Viet Film Fest and presented in conjunction with UCSB Reads 2019. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34770]
Ecologist Rudo Sanyanga and filmmakers R. Lane Clark and Stephan Miescher join moderator Janet Walker (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) for a post-screening discussion of Clark and Miescher’s documentary film Ghana’s Electric Dreams. The film concerns the history of Ghana’s Akosombo Dam, and its complex legacy as a strategic modernization project launched during the presidency of Kwame Nkrumah. The panel conversation highlights the impetus for the film and its multi-stage development, the importance of the availability of archival footage and the filmmakers’ personal familiarity with this region of Ghana, and the far-reaching human and ecological impacts of large hydroelectric infrastructure projects. This event was hosted by the Carsey-Wolf Center in collaboration with the Mellon-Sawyer Seminar for Energy Justice in Global Perspective. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 34883]
Director Leilah Weinraub joins Mireille Miller-Young (Feminist Studies, UCSB) for a conversation about Weinraub’s 2018 documentary Shakedown, a film that documents the L.A.-based underground black-lesbian strip club of the same name. Weinraub explains how she discovered the club and her decade-long project of capturing the experience of Shakedown on film. The talk also includes discussion of black ownership and labor, the visibility of black identities and sexualities, gentrification in the aftermath of historic riots, and the fragility of contingent cultural spaces under the dual pressures of over-policing and the politics of respectability. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 34769]
What makes us human is a question that not only science asks, but all disciplines of mind from philosophy to religion to sociology and ethics, and even to storytelling and the arts. Tim Disney's new movie "William", about a Neanderthal living in the modern world forces us to ask that and many other questions. Director of the UC San Diego Stem Cell Program Alysson Muotri brought together a panel of experts from across a spectrum of disciplines to discuss those issues in a lively and engaging forum with the movie's creator. Series: "Stem Cell Channel" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 34803]
The film Blade Runner was set in a dystopian 2019 Los Angeles. A timely gathering is in order. Three futurists sit down for a conversation on the film’s legacy and its relevance to Southern California. The guest speakers are David Brin, Paul Sammon and Mike Davis. They discuss the film’s influence and compare its vision with today’s 2019. Blade Runner initially underperformed in theaters when it was first released in 1982; some praised its thematic complexity and visuals, while others were displeased with its slow-paced narrative and unconventional plot. However, by 1992 it had become a cult classic and was re-released in newly edited versions. Why did it take a decade to find — or create — its audience? Series: "Library Channel" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34684]
New inflections given to old lyrics, the casting of non-professional singers in Across the Universe, and the impact of relocating Beatles tunes to American settings are topics covered in this wide-ranging discussion between acclaimed music journalist Greil Marcus and Carsey-Wolf Center director Patrice Petro. The two delve into the stylistic decisions of director Julie Taymor and the spectatorial pleasures that arise when song lyrics are unexpectedly connected to historical events. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34640]
Documentary filmmaking risks, the technical challenges of solar-powered flight, and attuning to the human struggle behind a quest to fly around the world without a drop of fuel are all central topics in this discussion between UCSB instructor Chris Jenkins and Point of No Return co--directors Quinn Kanaly and Noel Dockstader. The three talk frankly about the difficulty of earning trust as documentarians and how the crew adjusted filming plans when the Solar Impulse 2 mission began to falter. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34593]
Bill Morrison, comic book writer and artist, and colorist Nathan Kane join moderator Joe Paladino in a Q&A about Yellow Submarine (1968). Kane and Morrison discuss their collaborative work on the 2018 graphic novel adaptation of the film, as well as their careers and the wider significance of the film. The conversation covers Morrison's work with Matt Groening as an illustrator for The Simpsons and as art director for Futurama, and the influence Yellow Submarine had on the art styles of these shows. Kane discusses his career in the comics industry and his work as creative director of Bongo Comics. Together, Morrison and Kane, reflect on the legacy of Yellow Submarine fifty years later, in terms of their comic adaptation, but also in terms of its pop-cultural significance and influence on directors from Terry Gilliam to John Lasseter. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34641]
John Caldwell, UCLA media studies professor, ethnographer and filmmaker discusses his film Land Hacks: Masculine Media Anxiety Disorder (2018). Caldwell is joined by moderator, Jennifer Holt of the Department of Film and Studies at UCSB. Their conversation covers the inspiration and significance of the film which sets out to explore white male victimization in the Trump era. Caldwell’s film uses advertisements, excerpts from Hollywood films, and documentary footage to highlight a series of masculine anxieties for the modern era, and particular to California’s Central Valley. The Q&A contextualizes Caldwell’s development of the film, which explores the politics of industry and labor in the Central Valley, the birthplace of the UFW, and a bastion for California conservatism through the lens of Caldwell’s own health concerns during the filmmaking process. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34591]
UCSB Script to Screen, hosted by Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan, was invited to the 2019 Writers Guild Awards and 2019 WGA Beyond Words. On the red carpet, directors and screenwriters alike were able to reflect and shed light on the creative process of writing their vision on a page and then translating it to the screen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34590]
Song rights, first time directors, female comedians, and a critical intervention by Steven Spielberg all arise in this discussion between Beatles: Revolutions co-curator Joe Palladino and I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978) writer/producer Bob Gale and lead actress Nancy Allen. The three speakers discuss the origins of this film, the screenplay structure, and the joy of a young cast/crew building a nostalgic coming-of-age story celebrating a moment of early Beatles’ fandom. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34592]
Visual storytelling and genre blending are central topics in this wide-ranging discussion between Quiet Place screenwriters Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and Pollock Theater director Matt Ryan. Beck and Woods reflect on and explain their desire to build a monster/sci-fi/horror/silent film that paid homage to classic television and cinema creators like Rod Serling, Alfred Hitchcock, and Charlie Chaplin while fashioning a new experience for contemporary viewers. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34569]
A Q&A session with Writer/Director/Producer Miguel Coyula and Actor/Co-Producer Lynn Cruz of the documentary Nadie (2017). Coyula and Cruz discuss the production of the film and their work with the subject of the documentary, the reclusive Cuban poet, Rafael Alcides. The Q&A session, moderated by UCSB FIlm and Media Studies Professor, Cristina Venegas, covers the banning of the film in Cuba, the effect that making an “Anti-Revolutionary Film” has had on Coyula and Cruz, and the reception of the film in light of the deaths of both Fidel Castro and Alcides. This is Coyula’s first documentary feature, he was previously awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for the production of Memories of Overdevelopment (2010). Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34472]
Screaming girls, overwhelmed security, and segregated auditoriums all arise in musicology Professor David Novak (UC Santa Barbara) and rock journalist Ivor Davis’ discussion about Richard Lester’s A Hard Day’s Night (1964) and the Beatles’ American audience reception. Part of a small cadre of British journalists invited, Davis accompanied the Beatles for the entirety of their astonishing first US tour. The two discuss the Beatles’ connections to earlier musicians and the unprecedented passion they were showered with by young American fans. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34473]
The Beatles' final concert, their late-era conflicts, and the complicated history of director Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s Let It Be documentary all arise in this discussion between musician Alan Parsons and Music Professor David Novak (UC Santa Barbara). Parsons was a teenage sound engineer at Abbey Road studios when he was assigned to record audio for the Beatles as they worked through this iconic album. Novak draws Parsons into dialogue about recording equipment, studio layouts, and the musical personalities of each member of the band. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 34489]
With its extreme sex, violence, and gore, Paul Morrissey’s Flesh for Frankenstein has alternately excited, disgusted, and baffled audiences for decades. In this conversation, media Professor Bliss Cua Lim (UC Irvine) and film and media graduate student Rachael Ball (UC Santa Barbara) unpack and celebrate this exceptional movie. Lim and Ball describe the production, release, and response to Flesh for Frankenstein, noting its connections to Italy’s Cinecitta studios, Andy Warhol’s Factory, and the mainstream success of X-rated films in the mid-1970s. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34362]
Academy Award-winning screenwriter Josh Singer (Spotlight, The Post) discusses First Man (2018) with Matt Ryan as part of the Carsey-Wolf Center’s Script to Screen series. Singer talks about the depth of research necessary to write the screenplay for First Man, including the creative challenges involved in portraying Neil Armstrong who was known for being a man of few words in a film that also has long stretches of minimalistic dialogue, much of which was taken directly from Apollo 11 mission transcripts. Singer comments on his shared desire with director Damien Chazelle for maximum historical accuracy, and the challenges this presented when accounts and recollections of the events sometimes differed in detail. Singer mentions his extensive work consulting with those who were actually present during the mission and depicted in the film, including astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the family of Neil Armstrong, and other members of NASA. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34339]
Marsha Kinder, Professor of Cinematic Arts at USC, joins moderator Cristina Venegas, Professor of Film and Media Studies at UCSB, for a discussion of Víctor Erice’s 1973 directorial debut, The Spirit of the Beehive (El espíritu de la colmena). Their conversation addresses the significance of Spirit of the Beehive in terms of the history of Spanish cinema, and particularly its production at the end of the Franco Era in Spain and its setting at the end of the Spanish Civil War. Part of the Carsey-Wolf Center’s Frankenstein: Afterlives series, Kinder also addresses the significance of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as an influence for the film, as well as Whale’s 1931 film Frankenstein, which appears and motivates characters in Erice’s Film. This discussion situates Spirit of the Beehive in the history of Spanish dictatorship and as an allegory for life under fascism. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34296]
In the opening conversation within the Carsey-Wolf Center’s Frankenstein: Afterlives film series, CWC director Patrice Petro and English professor Julie Carlson (UC Santa Barbara) discuss the life of Mary Shelley and the representation of her views and career in director Haifaa Al-Mansour’s new biopic, Mary Shelley. During the discussion, professors Petro and Carlson cover the film’s feminist elements and the historical connections Mary Shelley had with literature, science, and philosophy. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34291]
Science and humanities professor Colin Milburn (UC Davis) and graduate student Wesley Jacks (UC Santa Barbara) explore the legacy of James Whale’s iconic Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Their talk touches on key similarities and differences between Bride, Whale’s earlier Frankenstein (1931) film, and the original Mary Shelley novel. In addition to exploring the narrative and formal components of each, Milburn and Jacks draw out the ethical conflicts that span and separate each text. Their discussion touches on the legacy of the film within the sci-fi genre, its still-compelling queer components, and the film’s position within the sub-genre of gothic horror. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34292]
A conversation with Tamer El Said, Director of In the Last Days of the City (2016), and UCSB Film and Media Studies Professor, Laila Shereen Sakr. Discussion covers El Saids work filming In the Last Days of the City. Shot between 2006 and 2008, the years leading up to the Egyptian Revolution, the film reflects a growing tension in Ciaro. El Siad comments on trying to capture his sense of the city on film in a way that seeks to express the feeling of being on the brink of changeespecially when this change hasn't happened yet. This conversation emphasizes the difficulty of capturing and representing a city on film, and particularly of producing a film that represents a feeling of impending social upheaval. El Said discusses the significance of his film and his experience and influences that shaped the process of producing beforeand editing afterthe events of the Arab Spring. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34289]
In this Q&A conversation Debra Granik, director and co-writer of Leave No Trace (2018), is joined by moderator and Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan. The event is part of the Carsey-Wolf Centers Script to Screen series and covers the development of the film and its adaptation from Mindy Mejias novel of the same name. Granik discusses how characters and story were reworked for the film, the research that she did in preparation, and the ways the film seeks to represent family relationships and post-traumatic stress disorder. The conversation also covers the production process, the significance of the films setting in Oregon, and the actors preparations for their roles. Granik is also the director of Winters Bone (2010) and this Q&A draws comparisons between her work on these two films. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34294]
A Q&A session with Co-Directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen of the documentary RGB (2018). Cohen and West discuss their work researching and producing RBG, which profiles the career of Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The session, moderated by UCSB English Professor Jeannine DeLombard, covers the production and reception of the film, its significance in the current political climate, and Ginsburgs Legacy as a Justice. Betsy West is an Emmy Award winning filmmaker, journalist, and educator, known for her work on Nightline, 60 Minutes, and 48 Hours. She is a professor of journalism at Columbia University. Julie Cohen is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and producer. She has also worked as a producer for NBC News and is Adjunct Professor of Journalism at Columbia University. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34288]
The initial popularity, enduring legacy, and creative fan cultures surrounding The Sound of Music all arise in this discussion between Carsey-Wolf Center director Patrice Petro and Film and Media Studies professor Caryl Flinn (University of Michigan). Describing the film as about the joy of singing, Prof. Flinn positions The Sound of Music and its songs within the twilight of a golden era of film musicals. When discussing the legacy of the film, Prof. Flinn details the growth of sing-a-long The Sound of Music screening events and reveals her favorite fan revival, a Jewish communitys The Sound of Purim. Also covered in this talk are Christopher Plummers notorious distaste for the film and attacks on the film by cultural elites like Pauline Kael. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 34287]
Race, gender, and union-busting violence all arise in this discussion of Debra Kopple’s iconic Harlan County, USA. Documentarian Betsy Taylor and historian Alice O’Connor (UC Santa Barbara) offer expert perspectives into connections between events and figures in Kopple’s film and broader environmental justice and labor struggles unfolding across the US in the early 1970s. In addition, Taylor’s intimate knowledge of this mining area enables her to offer rich detail about the local landscape, corporate land ownership, and crooked politics that form the foundation of this classic documentary. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 34290]
Gwyneth Paltrow, Oscar-, Golden Globe-, and Emmy-winning actress, appeared in Wes Anderson's The Royal Tenenbaums in 2001. After a recent screening at UC Santa Barbara, she discussed the film and more. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33950]
UCSB Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan and crew meet Comic-Con 2018 participants in San Diego. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33951]
Novelist, critic and cultural historian Marina Werner and Peter Bloom (Film and Media Studies, UCSB) engage Lotte Reiniger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) from several angles. They discuss the film’s astounding technical craft, Reiniger’s addition of feminist perspectives to the narrative, and the film’s relation to both the Arabian classic 1001 Nights and the French translation/adaptation of that work. Werner and Bloom discuss Reiniger’s relationship to the source material and provide rich historical details about early-twentieth century relations between Europe and what was then called “the Orient.” Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33756]
Novelist Sinaan Antoon and journalist Leila Fadel join UCSB’s Mona Damluji for a post-screening discussion of Kasim Abid’s 2008 film Life After the Fall. They discuss the difficulties of living and working in U.S.-occupied Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein, the decline of security and safety, loyalties-of-necessity to one’s particular neighborhood in the power vacuum that ensued, and the complications and sometimes harrowing difficulties of everyday life. At issue in particular is each guest’s struggle to tell stories about Iraq that felt honest, empathetic, and adequate when most narrativization of Iraq at the time tended to feel too superficial (U.S. media coverage), too insular (stories from inside the Green Zone), too nostalgic (for a functional Iraq, if one under dictatorship), or too limited in scale (to the scope of whatever groups, such as families or friends, that were intimate enough to permit trust). Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33760]
Amar Akbar Anthony was a Bollywood blockbuster when it was released in 1977 and has become a classic of Hindi cinema and a touchstone of Indian popular culture. William Elison (Religious Studies, UCSB), Christian Lee Novetzke (International Studies, University of Washington) and Andy Rotman (Religion, Smith College) discuss their co-authored book on the film that offers a sympathetic and layered interpretation of the film’s deeper symbolism, seeing it as a lens for understanding modern India’s experience with secular democracy. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33816]
UC Santa Barbara professors Eloi Grasset (Spanish and Portuguese) and Cristina Venegas (Film and Media Studies) discuss Lucrecia Martel’s adaptation of Antonio Di Benedetto’s iconic Argentine novel about the interconnected decay of the Spanish empire and one of its low-level bureaucrats who is stationed in Paraguay. Grasset and Venegas examine Martel’s approach to the interiority of Di Benedetto’s novel and her expansion of the novel’s critiques of colonialism. They also touch on the film’s innovative use of sound. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33755]
Bambi Haggins (Film and Media Studies, UC Irvine) joins Patrice Petro (Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center) for a conversation about the 2013 documentary "Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley." Haggins, who served as a historical consultant to the film, reflects on the five-decade career of Moms Mabley, the raucous, pioneering African-American vaudeville performer and comedian. Haggins discusses the timelessness of Mabley’s material, her popularity and ability to command an audience, and her influence on contemporary comedy, as well as the broader significance of race, gender, sexuality, and cultural respectability in the reception of comedians and their work during different historical moments. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33753]
Improvisational comedy, women in media, and the unpredictability of cult classic status all arise in this conversation about Drop Dead Gorgeous between actress Mindy Sterling and Carsey-Wolf Director Patrice Petro. The two discuss the importance of female-led and female-targeted comedy, and the powerful sense of place that screenwriter Lona Williams brought to the behind-the-scenes world of Minnesota beauty pageants. In addition, they talk about the surprising journey the film traveled from theatrical-dud to home video classic. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33752]
Based on a true story, I, Tonya (2017) is a darkly comedic tale of American figure skater Tonya Harding and her role in one of the most sensational scandals in sports history. Screenwriter/producer Steven Rogers discussed the film with Matt Ryan before a live audience at UCSB. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33751]
Orson Welles direction and his performance as Shakespeare’s legendary Falstaff are at the center of this conversation about Chimes at Midnight, Welles’ 1965 film masterpiece that was unavailable to the public for decades. Professors Jim Kearney (UC Santa Barbara) and Joseph McBride (San Francisco State University) discuss Welles’ lifelong admiration of the Bard and the film’s complicated production and distribution history. The two professors also explore Welles’ ambitious adaptation of story material from five different Shakespeare plays into this single film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33498]
Karen McCullah and Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith are one of the most prolific and successful female writing teams in Hollywood. Among their many credits is She’s the Man (2006) that resets William Shakespeare’s cross-dressing comedy Twelfth Night in a contemporary boarding school. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33504]
Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy-nominated composer, Robert Kraft, talks with David Novak (Music, UCSB) about the power and influence of film scores and the unique challenges with the process. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33501]
Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet (1948) was adapted and directed by its star. Mark Rose (English, UCSB) and Jim Kearney (English, UCSB) discuss this cinematic treatment of Hamlet and examples of Shakespeare on film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33503]
Populist rhetoric, the influence of religion in politics, and the role of the media in elections all arise in this conversation about Gregory La Cava’s 1933 film Gabriel Over the White House. Carsey-Wolf Center director Patrice Petro and renowned journalist Jeff Greenfield explore the influence of financier William Randolph Hearst on the film’s ideology, and the circuitous legacy of this once-popular, then largely-forgotten story of a driven politician who attempts to strong-arm his way through domestic and foreign entanglements. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33502]
Revenge, justice, and betrayal in Shakespeare’s play and in the history of the politically-disputed Kashmir region arise as core topics in this discussion about the Hindi film Haider between Priya Jaikumar (USC) and Bhaskar Sarkar (UC-Santa Barbara.) The two professors interrogate and celebrate the film and play’s ability to combine local cultural specificity and popular accessibility. Arguing Haider offers new understandings of the character of Hamlet, the pair also question the concepts of “the original” and “the derivative.” Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33500]
Filmmaker Anne Galisky joins UCSB’s Helen Morales for a discussion of her 2014 film 14: Dred Scott, Wong Kim Ark, & Vanessa Lopez. The director explains the process of locating family members of the individuals the film focuses on, scoring the film, and developing conversations about citizenship including birthright citizenship but also recent debates about the status of people who are already citizens. Subjects of the talk range from the risks of being publicly undocumented, the rhetorical significance of families and children in political arguments, and her own personal family’s story of immigration. By way of encouraging future activist documentarians, she stresses the importance of forming trusting relationships with the subjects of her documentaries. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33562]
Screenwriters Todd Louiso and Jacob Koskoff join moderator Jim Kearney (UCSB, English) for a conversation about their 2015 adaptation of Macbeth starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. Louiso and Koskoff discuss how the film was originally intended to star the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, the challenges of making the supernatural elements of the play scarier, and unraveling the metaphor of Shakespeare’s soliloquies through foregrounding grief, trauma, and reinterpreting key scenes. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33499]
Writer/director/producer Jordan Peele joins UCSB’s Matt Ryan for a Script-to-Screen discussion of Get Out (2017), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Peele explains how the tone of the film was influenced by his background in comedy, the work of Ira Levin (The Stepford Wives, Rosemary’s Baby), and the desire to subvert the tropes of African American characters in the horror genre, as well how he created “the sunken place” through conceptualizing racism in a new way for the screen, and bringing it to life through stand-out performances from the actors. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33376]
The real-life married couple Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon (they co-wrote the script, and Nanjiani stars as a character with his own first name) discuss their acclaimed film "The Big Sick," loosely based on their own relationship's rocky start. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33375]
Screenwriter Vanessa Taylor joins UCSB’s Matt Ryan for a Script-to-Screen discussion of "The Shape of Water" (2017) which Taylor co-wrote with Guillermo Del Toro. Taylor recounts her experience sharing the screenwriting duties with the director and developing characters to round out the initial vision of the film. They discuss at length the challenges of writing the unusual two main characters, their human/non-human romance, and the desire to craft a relationship that felt transgressive enough while still seeming authentic and translating well to the screen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33232]
Join the co-directors of the documentary "Nostalgia for the Future," Avijit Mukul Kishore and Rohan Shivkumar, in conversation with UCSB Professor of Film and Media Studies Bhaskar Sarkar. The film looks at Indian modernity, the making of the citizen and the architecture of the home. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33185]
Lisa Bruce has made feature films both domestic and internationally, both independently and with major studios. She was a producer on "Darkest Hour," a film starring Gary Oldman as Winston Churchill that follows his early days as Prime Minister while Hitler closes in on Britain during World War II. She is joined in conversation with Matt Ryan at the Pollock Theater at UC Santa Barbara. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33180]
Sonia Kennebeck, producer and director of "National Bird," talks with UCSB PhD candidate in the Department of Film and Media Studies Daniel Grinberg about her documentary on the US drone program told through the eyes of three military veterans and survivors. Kennebeck is an independent documentary filmmaker and investigative journalist with more than 15 years of directing and producing experience. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33182]
Vienna-born Fritz Lang’s first American film "Fury" was released in 1936 after he left Germany for Hollywood. Fury raises issues about race, technology, mob violence, the corruption of political and legal institutions that remain remarkably current. Harvard Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures Eric Rentschler, and Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro sit down for an in-depth discussion of the film and Lang. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33184]
Billy Wilder's "Some Like it Hot" is one of the great comedies of Hollywood's golden age. Wilder was an Austrian-America filmmaker who moved to Paris then Hollywood after the rise of the Nazi party. David Mandel (Veep, Seinfeld) joins Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro to discuss the film that starred Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon posing as women after witnessing a mob massacre in Chicago. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33183]
Ernst Lubitsch’s controversial anti-Nazi political satire "To Be or Not To Be" is celebrated as one of the most subtle meditations on power, politics, and performance to emerge from Hollywood during the war. Professor Emily Carman (Film and Media Arts, Chapman University) joins Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro for a discussion about the original ambivalent reviews and how perceptions have changed since its 1942 release. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33093]
A legendary director noted for his uncompromising passion, Werner Herzog joins Carsey-Wolf Center Director Patrice Petro for a discussion about his 1979 film “Nosferatu The Vampyre” which he says is a tribute to the classic 1922 film "Nosferatu” by F.W. Murnau. Herzog also discusses his career and the film’s significance as a bridge to the masterworks of interwar cinema. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 33062]
The Carsey-Wolf Center at UCSB spotlights the work of individuals on the autistic spectrum in entertainment. The panel addresses the work of Actors for Autism and the role of people with autism in entertainment industries from multiple perspectives. Panelists: Actors for Autism Executive Director Alisa Wolf, Actors for Autism participant Patrick Doran, Patrick's mother Mary Doran, and Animator Santosh Oommen, who has employed students from Actors for Autism. Moderator: Professor Patrice Petro, Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Show ID: 32544]
Award-winning documentary Still Black: A Portrait of Black Transmen centers on the stories of six thoughtful, eloquent and diverse transmen. Director Kortney Ryan Ziegler joins Jennifer Tyburczy (Feminist Studies, UCSB) to discuss the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32541]
Michael Westmore is a scion of the famed Westmore makeup dynasty, which dates back to Hollywood's golden age. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on Raging Bull. He talks with Anna Brusutti, UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies, to discuss that film and his other work. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32543]
Dante Alencastre, director of Raising Zoey, talks with Abigaíl Salazar of the UCSB Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity about this docuemntary that follows Zoey's transition. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32540]
The documentary In Utero explores how experiences in utero affect our lives. Director Kathleen Man Gyllenhaal and Producer Stephen Gyllenhaal are joined by Professor Brenda Major (Psychological and Brain Sciences, UCSB) and Professor Maya Rossin-Slater (Economics, UCSB) for a discussion moderated by Professor Maryam Kia-Keating (Counseling, Clinical, & School Psychology, UCSB). Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 32545]
Academy Award Winning Production Designers David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco have colloborated with some of the most talented filmmakers today, most recently, Damien Chazelle on La La Land. The film received the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Production Design, the Art Directors Guild Award for Excellence in Production Design and a BAFTA nomination for Best Production Design. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32535]
Actress/Producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Writer/Executive Producer/Director David Mandel and Actor Tony Hale talk about realizing the HBO series Veep - an American political satire. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32412]
The documentary Free CeCe confronts the culture of violence surrounding transwomen of color. Director Jacqueline (Jac) Gares and Documentary Subject CeCe McDonald discuss the process of making the film with Lal Zimman, UCSB Department of Linguistics. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32542]
Kelly Fremon Craig made her directorial debut in 2016 with The Edge of Seventeen. The film received widespread critical praise and numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for the film’s lead actress, Hailee Steinfeld, a Directors Guild of America nomination for Outstanding Achievement of a First Time Filmmaker, the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best First Film, and three Critics Choice Awards nominations. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32372]
Shaunak Sen discusses his first feature length documentary which explores the world of insurgent sleepers' communities and the infamous "sleep mafia" in Delhi, where just securing a safe sleeping spot often becomes a question of life and death. Sen joined UCSB Professor of Film & Media Studies Bhaskar Sarkar. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32227]
Documentary filmmaker David Osit discusses his film "Thank You For Playing," that follows Ryan Green, a video game programmer, who creates an unusually beautiful and poetic video game (That Dragon, Cancer) based on his family's journey when the discover that their young son has cancer. David is joined by Alenda Chang, UCSB Professor of Film & Media Studies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32226]
Who can forget the increasingly violent attacks by wild birds in Hitchcock's 1963 horror-thriller? Actress Tippi Hedren discusses the process of filming The Birds with moderator Ross Melnick of the UCSB Film and Media Studies Department. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32217]
The HBO one-hour drama series "Westworld" is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged. UCSB Script to Screen welcomed UCSB Department of Film & Media Studies Alumnus Fred Toye, director of two pivotal episodes: Season 1, Episode 6 "The Adversary" and Season 1, Episode 7 "Trompe L'Oeil." Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32214]
UCSB Script to Screen was invited to the 2017 Writers Guild Awards and 2017 WGA Beyond Words. The interviews include many Oscar nominees. The "Script to Screen" series is hosted by Matt Ryan. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32215]
Rebecca was Alfred Hitchcock’s first American film. It has long been considered to be the director’s most “feminine” project, given its subject matter and appeal to female audiences. Tania Modleski, author of the groundbreaking book The Women Who Knew Too Much: Hitchcock and Feminist Film Theory discusses both the history and continuing legacy of Rebecca, now regarded as a film that not only explores women’s fears but also women’s desire for other women. The discussion was moderated by Professor Patrice Petro, director of the Carsey-Wolf Center. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32132]
Film preservationist James Katz and Tom Pollock, former Executive Vice President of MCA and Chairman of Universal Pictures, discuss the restoration of "Vertigo" with Charles Wolfe, UCSB Professor of Film & Media Studies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 32131]
The Last Aristocrats is a film based on a short story by Kenneth Pai, UCSB Professor Emeritus. It follows four young Chinese women from elite Shanghai families who become stranded in the US when the communists take over Shanghai in 1948. Professor Pai, is joined by Professor Michael Berry of UCLA's Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 31925]
Writer/producer/director Theodore Melfi, actor Kevin Costner and president of Fox 2000 Pictures, Elizabeth Gabler discuss the Oscar-nominated film based on the true story about three brilliant African-American women working on John Glenn's launch into orbit at NASA. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 31924]
Arrival screenwriter and executive producer Eric Heisserer talks about adapting the the award-winning short story by Ted Chiang to the big screen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31914]
Director Madhusree Dutta and UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies Professor Bhaskar Sarkar discuss the film "7 Islands and a Metro," a fascinating documentary on Bom Bahia / Bombay / Mumbai. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 31806]
Short films often rely on film festivals for a larger audience. Learn about film festival shorts programming and curation with Tribeca Film Festival's vice president of filmmaker relations and long-time head of shorts programming Sharon Badal. Sharon is joined on the panel by Greg Goggin (Director) and Joe Toronto (Producer). Cynthia Felando, UCSB Professor of Film and Media Studies, moderates. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 31805]
The animated film Inside Out is a vivid portrait of resilience in eleven-year-old Riley and her animated emotions, who together face a difficult several days following a cross-country move. The film's exploration of Riley's emotional life reflects current neuroscience research, thanks in part to the work of UC Berkeley Professor Dacher Keltner, who served as a scientific consultant to the filmmakers. He is joined by UCSB Professor of Psychology David Sherman and UCSB Professor of Film & Media Studies Anna Brusutti. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 31804]
Lora Chen (CEO of China Media Consulting) and Mayfair Yang (Director of UCSB Confucius Institute & Professor of Religious Studies and East Asian Studies Departments) discuss the film Mr. Six, a 2015 Chinese crime drama. The film treats the clash of generations as well as that between the ultra-rich and the left-behind. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 31665]
Director Jay Roach (Austin Powers trilogy, Meet The Parents, and Trumbo) discusses his film "All the Way" which offers a behind-the-scenes look at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s tumultuous first year in office after the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31664]
UCSB Alumnus Nate Bolotin (Partner at XYZ Films) and Lucan Toh (Producer) discuss the horror thriller Under the Shadow which is set in Tehran. Their discussion focuses on contemporary global issues of financing and distribution of films. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31625]
Director Ezra Edelman joins Jennifer Holt (Professor of Film and Media Studies at UCSB) and Steven Secular (PhD Student at the Department of Film and Media Studies at UCSB) for a discussion addressing the recent series placing the so-called “trial of the century” within the complex history of race, gender, class, news and entertainment media, policing, criminal justice, and the sports industry in the United States. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31626]
Make-up artist Michael Westmore talks about his film work (Raging Bull, Rocky, and his Academy Award for Mask), his 18 years working on Star Trek, and his role as a mentor on the Syfy Channel's show Face-Off. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31624]
Latino: The Changing Face of America is a new documentary by Los Angeles-born filmmaker and UCSB alumna Roxanne Frias. She discusses the film's glimpse into the future of the world’s biggest economy, a future in which Latinos will form the largest demographic group. The discussion includes Chicano Studies & History Professor Mario Garcia and Cristina Venegas of UCSB Film and Media Studies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31623]
Michelle Dougherty, co-director of Sonic Sea, discusses this film that traces the connections between increased man-made ocean noise and fatal stress on ocean life. Michael Hanrahan, an educator and filmmaker who teaches environmental media storytelling at the University of California, Santa Barbara, moderates. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 31415]
Luciana Kaplan, director of the award-winning documentary La Revolución de los Alcatraces, talks about the genesis of her film and its subject, Eufrosina Cruz Mendoza, who was elected mayor of her town but her victory was taken away because she was a woman. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31021]
Cairo Drive is a documentary exploration of Egyptian identity and change spanning the critical period before the revolution and up to the most recent presidential elections. Shot from 2009 to 2012 the film portrays the congested streets through encounters in traffic with taxi drivers, ambulance, traffic cops, and private citizens. The director Sherief Elkatsha talks with Professors Laila Shereen Sakr and Dick Hebdige from the UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30804]
David Gerrold, influential contemporary sci-fi writer and creator of genre-defining works such as the enduringly popular Star Trek episode, The Trouble With Tribbles, discusses his career across many media platforms to provide unique and valuable insights into the evolution and changing nature of the genre. Gerrold is interviewed by Word Farm Director Joe Palladino. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 30866]
Chang Yung-hsiang is the screenwriter of the classic film from the golden era of Taiwan cinema, Beautiful Duckling (1964). Michael Berr, Professor of Contemporary Chinese Cultural Studies and Director of the East Asia Center at UCSB, talks with Chang Yung-hsiang who has contributed to some of the greatest classics of Chinese-language cinema. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31016]
The documentary CODE addresses the gender gap in computer science, especially in coding or programming. Robin Hauser Reynolds, the director/produce of the film, is joined by an expert panel to discuss the digital divide in tech and why women and minorities pass up studying computer science that lead to lucrative careers. Panelists: Cornelia Davis (Director of Platform Engineering in the Cloud Foundry team at Pivotal), Maria Charles (Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department, UCSB), Karen K. Myers (Associate Professor in the Department of Communication and Associate Dean in the Graduate Division, UCSB) and Amr El Abbadi (Professor in the Computer Science Department, UCSB) Cynthia Stohl, Professor in the Department of Communication and Director of CITS, UCSB is the moderator. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 31018]
Thirty-two years after the release of Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens brings together the saga’s original characters with a new generation of heroes and villains. Oscar-nominated editor Maryann Brandon talks about working with J.J. Abrams and the making of the latest Star Wars film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 31015]
Released in the summer of 1975, "Jaws" was seen by over 67 million Americans, essentially creating the “summer blockbuster.” Screenwriter Carl Gottlieb talks about that experience and his other screenplays. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30890]
With a recently restored version of this 1975 film directed by Haile Gerimaa led to this conversation with Jan-Christopher Horak, Director of the UCLA Film and Television Archive and co-editor of the recent collection documenting the archive’s restoration of LA Rebellion films. He is joined by UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies Professors Anna Everett and Ross Melnick. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30806]
Don Hertzfeldt is a two time Oscar-nominated American independent filmmaker whose animated films include It's Such a Beautiful Day, The Meaning of Life, Billy's Balloon, and Rejected. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30805]
The film Still Alice explores early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This panel at UCSB discusses the film and the troubling issues it explores. Donna Beal - Alzheimer’s Association, Patricia Cline Cohen - Department of History at UCSB, Kenneth Kosik - Neuroscience Research Institute at UCSB. Moderator - Laury Oaks - Feminist Studies at UCSB. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Show ID: 30803]
Screenwriter Michael Miner sits down with UCSB Department of Film & Media Studies professor Joshua Moss to discuss Robocop’s B-Movie influences, the role of political humor in science fiction, and the economic model of Orion Pictures and other genre picture studios in the 1980s. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30631]
UCSB Script to Screen was invited to the 2016 Directors Guild Awards, Writers Guild Awards and the Oscar Wilde Awards to interview amazing talent including many Oscar nominees and winners, and as a special bonus, the cast and crew from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30802]
Academy Award nominated screenwriter Josh Singer talks about Spotlight, the film about reporters delving into allegations of abuse in the Catholic Church. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30591]
Professors Bhaskar Sarkar and Janet Walker of the UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies, discuss "The Look of Silence," a groundbreaking documentary on trauma by Joshua Oppenheimer. The film was nominated for a 2016 Academy Award. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 30457]
Director Jeff Malmberg talks with UC Santa Barbara students about his award-winning feature documentary Marwencol, which is about the fantasy world of Mark Hogancam created after a violent attack left him unable to read, walk, eat, write, or recall anything of his adult life. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Health and Medicine] [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 30456]
Jacqueline Rose, University of London, examines the film Niagara, its star Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood, and what Rose terms the "loving cruelty of cinema in relation to women." Rose is welcomed to UCSB by Professor of Film and Media Studies Constance Penley. Niagara is a unique specimen of baroque Technicolor film noir, starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten. The film tells the story of a pair of couples at Niagara Falls -- one honeymooning, the other disintegrating -- and explores desire, insanity, and the drive toward fatal attraction. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 30402]
Go behind the scenes with cameraman/editor, Mark Romanov, who specializes in hard-to-get shots which is apparent in his work on Rick Rosenthal's documentary, The Dark Side of the Ocean. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 30029]
UCSB Script to Screen hosts director Jay Roach (Austin Powers trilogy) and screenwriter John McNamara for a conversations about Trumbo, a historical piece about a blacklisted screen writer and the screen writing process. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30277]
Oscar-winning screenwriter Alan Ball, veteran writer/producer, whose credits include Six Feet Under and True Blood, joins host Matt Ryan to discuss the production and legacy of “American Beauty.” Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30159]
Up&Coming Wired is a quarterly online “theater” curated by UCSD students for the UCSD community and beyond. This online film festival is a division of the ArtPower annual Up&Coming Student Film Festival/Filmatic. Our goal is to encourage and support all UCSD students from any discipline by providing a universally accessible forum to showcase video/film work and receive feedback from the campus and global community. Series: "Up&Coming Wired" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29916]
Patrick Sanan, who studied mathematics at UC San Diego, explains how he combined geometry and physics to devise the mathematics that made possible the visualization of the virtual tiger Richard in the Oscar award-winning motion picture, “Life of Pi.” Series: "STEAM: Adding Arts to STEM Education" [Humanities] [Science] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 25933]
UCSB’s Script to Screen visits Comic Con 2015 in San Diego. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 30030]
Writer-director Scott Frank, talks to UCSB students about getting the crime drama "A Walk Among the Tombstones" made. Frank’s other screenplays include Little Man Tate, Dead Again, Malice, Heaven’s Prisoners, Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Minority Report, The Interpreter and Marley & Me. Frank graduated from UCSB in 1982 with a BA in Film Studies. Since then he has written movies for filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Sidney Pollack, Steven Soderbergh, Barry Sonnenfeld, Jodie Foster and Kenneth Brannagh. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29842]
Ridley Scott’s 1982 film Blade Runner, set in a dystopian city-world of the future, presented extreme cinematographic challenges. UCSB Film and Media Studies faculty members Ross Melnick and Anna Brusutti discuss the making of the film and why it resonates so many years after its original release. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29844]
1941 screenwriter Bob Gale (who also wrote the Back to the Future Trilogy), actor Perry Lang, 2nd Assistant Director Chris Soldo, assistant casting director Stanzi Stokes, and score restorer Michael Matessino look at this 1979 Steven Spielberg farce. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29845]
Executive Producer/Director Jack Bender unlocks the production secrets of translating Lost from script to screen. And, he might just provide some clues to unlock the secrets of "The Island." Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29742]
Filmmaker Allison Anders discusses her career in film and television, specifically Orange is the New Black Episode 6 from Season 2 (You Also Have a Pizza), which she directed. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29745]
Q&A with the director and one of the participants of the 2014 documentary, Occupy the Farm. The film documents the plight of 200 urban farmers as they occupy a publicly owned research farm and plant it with two acres of crops in order to save the land from becoming a real-estate development. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 29744]
The Neo Noir series examines different aspects of the film noir style. The films showcase the "soul of the city," interpreting the Los Angeles of the past, present, and future. In “Collateral”, director Michael Mann brings noir to a modern-day Los Angeles. Screenwriter Stuart Beattie talks with Anna Brusutti, Film and Media Studies Lecturer at UCSB, and the audience about his writing process. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29741]
Director Julia Marchese discusses her documentary exploring the importance of revival cinema and 35mm exhibition as seen through the lens of the patrons of the New Beverly Cinema. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29625]
Director Louis Psihoyos and co-producer Gina Papabeis discuss the film Racing Extinction which shows shows an unlikely team of activists and innovators who hatch a bold mission to save endangered species. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29624]
Executive producer and co-writer of Journey of the Universe Mary Evelyn Tucker discusses the evolution of her book and the film that explores the nature of the universe. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29623]
Steven Salaita (former Associate Professor of English at Virginia Tech) and Sherene Seikaly (UCSB Assistant Professor in History) discuss writer-director Elia Suleiman’s The Time That Remains. Winner of the Jury Grand Prize at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and nominated for a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, the film is an intimate semi-biographical portrait of Palestinians living as a minority in their own homeland between 1948 and the present day. Inspired by his father’s diaries, letters his mother sent to family members who had fled the Israeli occupation, and the director’s own recollections, the film recounts the saga of the filmmaker’s family in subtly hilarious vignettes. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 29622]
Producer Rick Rosenthal and Associate Director of LBGT Services in the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity at UCSB Klint Jaramillo explore Transparent, a film that chronicles the lives of a Los Angeles family after they discover that their father, Mort (Jeffrey Tambor), is transgender. An original series produced by Amazon Studios, Transparent won the 2015 Golden Globe for best TV series, musical or comedy, and Tambor took home a trophy for best actor. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29626]
Discussion with My Love Awaits Me by the Sea director Mais Darwazah and Nuha N.N. Khoury, UCSB Associate Professor in the History of Art and Architecture. My Love Awaits Me by the Sea is a poetic meditation on what it means to be denied the chance to participate in a collective memory of normal life. Accompanied by Hasan, her imaginary lover, Darwazah (a second generation Palestinian) returns for the first time to her home in Palestine, and finds the remnants of hope in a land exhausted by endless years of war. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 29621]
Producer/Director Charlie Soap and Producer Kristina Kiehl discuss the film inspired by the true story of the struggle for, opposition to, and ultimate success of a rural Cherokee community to bring running water to their families by using the traditional concept of "gadugi," working together to solve a problem. Sonny Skyhawk moderates the conversations. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29144]
Writer/director Damien Chazelle discusses the process of creating his Academy Award film, Whiplash. Chazelle’s sophomore film tells the story of a promising young drummer and his ruthless teacher. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29315]
Screenwriter Destin Daniel Cretton (Short Term 12, I Am Not a Hipster) returns to his alma mater to share the excitement of his latest project, adapting Jeanette Walls’ best-selling memoir, The Glass Castle, to film. Cretton talks about the joys and frustrations of writing screenplays with Karl Martin of Point Loma Nazarene University as part of the 2015 Writer’s Symposium by the Sea. Series: "Writer's Symposium By The Sea" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28393]
Go behind the scenes about the film “Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks” with director Arthur Allan Seidelman, writer Richard Alfieri and associate producer/actor Simon Miller. Learn how this touching comedy about an unlikely friendship came to be. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29323]
Go behind the scenes with with Oscar-nominated producer Jeremy Dawson and Oscar-nominated production designer Adam Stockhausen about the filming of Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 29316]
UCSD students and alumni showcase their finished videos and video projects in process. March 2015. Series: "Up&Coming Wired" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29410]
Actors Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Spin City) and Jonathan Stark (Fright Night) join UCSB professor Cheri Steinkellner for a look at movies that have scared and delighted millions, and not only on Halloween. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29140]
Despite the growing importance of visual effects across the media industries, VFX companies and their employees have been in turmoil for over a decade due to the increasing pressures of globalized production. Long hours, short deadlines, and low profit margins have become characteristic of an industry that was once considered a shining example of the elite knowledge economy. Reflecting on both artistry and activism, this session brings together leading advocates of the VFX community in Southern California to discuss practical strategies for dealing with the challenges they confront. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 28924]
The Department of Film and Media Studies at UCSB welcomed the legendary make-up artist Michael Westmore, who revolutionized the make-up industry for his work on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and won an Academy Award for the movie “Mask.” Westmore sits down for a conversation with UCSB professor Cheri Steinkellner, and talks about his work bringing aliens to life and other tales from his career. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29139]
Jay Kogen, Writer/ Executive Producer of the "Simpsons" is interviewed by UCSB professor Cheri Steinkellner. In addition to Homer and the gang, Kogen has written and produced for Malcolm in the Middle, Frasier and many others. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29141]
Executive Producer and UCSB alum Dante Di Loreto discusses American Horror Story, an anthology series that centers on different characters and locations, including a haunted house, an insane asylum, a witch coven, and a freak show. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29142]
Producer Lisa Bruce and screenwriter/producer Anthony McCarten join host Matt Ryan for a lively discussion of their film “The Theory of Everything.” Starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, the movie follows the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Science] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29040]
Editor Zene Baker has had a long collaboration with Seth Rogan. He sits down to discuss “Neighbors,” the story of a couple (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) with a newborn baby who face unexpected difficulties after a fraternity moves next door. Baker talks about the editing process, the particular challenges of editing a comedy, how the final movie takes shape and how sometimes scenes he likes never make it to the screen. In addition to his work on Neighbors, Zene Baker has edited; “This is the End, 50/50, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and most recently The Interview. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 29143]
“500 Days of Summer” screenwriter Scott Neustadter talks about how he and his writing partner, Michael H. Weber, came up with the offbeat script and how they find the true voice of characters. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28922]
Actress Diane Ladd discusses her Academy Award-nominated performance as the comical, independent and vulgar Flo in Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. This film was Scorsese's first Hollywood studio production and marked his first (and only) attempt at a female-centered story. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28957]
UCSD students and alumni showcase their videos. December 2014. Series: "Up&Coming Wired" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 28919]
Screenwriter Mardik Martin, and the producer of “Baghdad to Hollywood,” Ramy Katrib explore Martin Scorsese’s film “Mean Streets,” one of the pivotal films of the 1970s. Mardik co-wrote the screenplay with Scorsese and is in the elite group of screenwriters on WGA's list of the 101 Greatest Screenplays ever written. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 28923]
Script to Screen was invited to the 2014 WGA and DGA Awards to interview the nominees, winners and their presenters. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28497]
Director Ivan Reitman and producers Tom Pollock and Joe Medjuck discuss their new film “Draft Day” starring Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner. On the day of the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) has the opportunity to save football in Cleveland when he trades for the number one pick. He must quickly decide what he's willing to sacrifice in pursuit of perfection as the lines between his personal and professional life become blurred on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with dreams of playing in the NFL. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28372]
Join writer/songrwriter Dean Pitchford to celebrate the classic film “Footloose.” Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28371]
Miss Israel Linor Abargil was abducted, stabbed, and raped in Milan, Italy at age 18. She won the Miss World competition only six weeks later. The new documentary, “Brave Miss World” follows her from the rape, to her crowning and through to her crusade to fight for justice for victims of rape. Panelists: “Brave Miss World” Director Cecilia Peck; Jill Dunlap, Director of Campus Advocacy Resources & Education & Women's Center Programs at UCSB; Cassie Pasquariello, UCSB Counseling and UCSB Psychological Services; Elisa Bonora, Co-Producer/ Additional Editor of the documentary. Constance Penley, Co-Director of the Carsey-Wolf Center, moderates. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28369]
“The Fault in Our Stars” director Josh Boone, and executive producer Isaac Klausner discuss their new film based on the New York Times best-selling novel written by John Green. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28375]
“12 Years A Slave” was nominated for 9 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Carsey Wolf Center at UCSB welcomes screenwriter John Ridley for a very emotional and insightful discussion on the film and the screenplay. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28119]
The film “Nebraska“ received 6 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. The Carsey Wolf Center at UCSB welcomes Bob Nelson who landed the Academy Award nomination for his first screenplay. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 28118]
Malcolm McDowell gives a rare insight into the actor's perspective in translating the script to the screen. He allowed us to look deeper into Stanley Kubrick's classic film “A Clockwork Orange” and provides keen advice for aspiring screenwriters about how to attract actors like him to their characters. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 27695]
In honor of the film’s 30th anniversary, “Risky Business” writer and director Paul Brickman, award-winning producer Jon Avnet and co-star Curtis Armstrong paid a visit to UCSB, discussing the film’s creative development and the movie-making process.
Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 27696]
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of “Cheers,” its creators - Glen Charles, Les Charles, and James Burrows - share some of their favorite scenes and dissect the creative process behind this classic television comedy. Cheers was nearly canceled during its first run; then it took off and ended up earning 28 Emmy Awards from 117 nominations.
Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 26018]
Angela Davis visited UC Santa Barbara for a screening of "Free Angela and All Political Prisoners," a documentary by Shola Lynch that chronicles Davis's life as a young, outspoken UCLA professor. Angela Davis and producer Sidra Smith answer questions from the audience. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25917]
"The Devil Wears Prada" screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna shares her experiences as a writer and the process of bringing the film to the screen. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25918]
Script to Screen goes on location at the Santa Barbara Film Festival to interview the cast and crew of Silver Linings Playbook. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25669]
What is feminist pornography? Why does it matter? The editors and authors of The Feminist Porn Book discuss the new movement of feminist pornography production. Speakers include Tristan Taormino, Jiz Lee, Dylan Ryan, Sinnamon Love, April Flores and Carlos Batts and UCSB professors Constance Penley, Celine Parreñas Shimizu, Mireille Miller-Young. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25723]
Field of Dreams has become a modern classic. It was nominated for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. Writer/director Phil Alden Robinson offers unique insight into the production of the film. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25589]
Script to Screen goes on location at the Santa Barbara Film Festival to interview the cast and crew of Argo. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25668]
Oscar winning screenwriter Barry Morrow shares insights into crafting the script for “Rain Man.” Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25574]
The psychological/thriller “Hard Candy” catapulted Ellen Page into a Hollywood career. The finely-crafted drama explores themes of dynamic power shifts and moral ambiguity. Join screenwriter Brian Nelson and producer Richard Hutton, as they dissect the details of filming this terrifying script. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25575]
Screenwriter Jeff Arch analyzes his screenplay and gives new insight into this timeless classic film. He also shares a very personal story when asked about his favorite movie theater going experience.
Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 25576]
Screenwriting duo, Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz bring down the house with hilarious inside Hollywood stories. In addition to 10 Things I Hate about You their other films include Legally Blonde, She’s the Man, The House Bunny, The Ugly Truth, and Ella Enchanted. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 24793]
1989 Academy Award winning Best Screenplay Dead Poets Society tells the story of an English teacher (played by Robin Williams) who inspires his students through poetry to seize the day and follow their own life path. Screenwriter Tom Schulman talks about writing the script and inspires all of the screenwriters in the audience to pursue their own dreams. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 24718]
Screenwriter and producer Bob Gale joins Christopher Lloyd, who played Dr. Emmett Brown, to share rare insights into the “ Back to the Future” series. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 24519]
Stacey Snider, the co-chairman and CEO of DreamWorks Studios, shares her excitement about the movie,“Lincoln,” and talks about bringing such masterpieces as “The Help,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Brokeback Mountain,” and “Philadelphia” to the big screen. She also speculates on the future of the film industry and reveals what she looks for in deciding to “greenlight” new productions in this conversation with James Fallows of The Atlantic. Series: "The Atlantic Meets The Pacific" [Public Affairs] [Humanities] [Show ID: 23982]
Steven Levitan, the co-creator of the successful comedy, Modern Family, discusses the creative process, the relationship of a pilot to a series itself, and the role of a creator/show runner. Levitan has been writing, producing, directing and creating television comedies for almost 20 years. His credits include Wings, Frasier, The Larry Sanders Show, Just Shoot Me (Creator), and Greg the Bunny. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 24205]
How do writers on a television comedy develop their material? Writers from current and recent comedies come together at the Pollock Theater at UCSB. They take stories "ripped from the headlines" and discuss how they would handle them in their shows - through jokes, characters, and stories. The writers are from television comedies: Cheers, MAS*H, Frasier, According to Jim, Ellen, Drew Carey, Newhart, Bob, and The Simpsons. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 24204]
Law & Order creator/producer Dick Wolf shares stories of the series’ history and future plans in a conversation with television producer Marcy Carsey (The Cosby Show, Roseanne, That '70s Show). Ms. Carsey also moderates an audience question and answer session with Mr. Wolf. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 22731]
Compare the styles of representing policing and adjudicating in the U.S. Law & Order shows compared to those in the U.K., France, and Russia. Panelists discuss what changes must be made to storylines and characters to adapt to cultural norms and notions of criminality in the different countries. Panelists also reflect on Dick Wolf's wish to someday create a Law & Order show in a Muslim location, say Law & Order: Cairo. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 22655]
The explorations of the significance of the Law & Order continues with an exploration of the social and cultural significance of series and the manner in which it represents crime, punishment, the criminal justice system, and the law. Panelists fdiscuss how Law & Order has transformed television portrayals of the criminal justice system and how this has contributed to cultural understandings of criminality, New York City and the urban space, justice, morality, and the complexities of guilt and innocence in a flawed system. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 22654]
Law & Order is one of the most financially successful series in the history of television. It was from the outset a program designed to navigate the shifting sands of the TV business during cable and broadband eras. Panelists explore the distinctive features of Law & Order as a network franchise and off-network syndication property. Topics included: production strategies, cost containment, marketing, cross-platform synergies, brand management, target audiences, and intellectual property. Panelists also discuss Law & Order within the broader context of network and cable television including viewers, advertisers, and commercial considerations. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 22630]
One of the most distinctive filmmakers of our time, Werner Herzog has been called the “romantic visionary” of the New German Cinema movement. His edgy, larger-than-life films fuse the epic with the intimate, redefining the scale and scope of filmmaking to include more than 60 works shot on every continent. He appears in conversation with acclaimed author and essayist, Pico Iyer at UC Santa Barbara. Series: "Voices" [Humanities] [Show ID: 18698]
Join distinguished scholars Robert Polito and Patricia Patterson at D.G. Wills Books as they discuss “Farber on Film: The Complete Film Writings of Manny Farber”, a collection of Farber’s film criticism that spans his early weekly reviews for “The New Republic” and “The Nation” to his later essays (some written in collaboration with his wife, Patricia Patterson). Farber’s unusual and pointed prose was credited by many with reinventing film criticism. Later, he devoted himself to his painting and taught film and art at UC San Diego from 1970 to 1987. [Humanities] [Show ID: 17411]
Join entertainment industry leaders for a discussion on emerging trends that are transforming the television industry, including new programming forms, the impact of new technologies, and the future of the medium. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 15028]
Panel of experts examines the greening of Hollywood, from creating environmentally sustainable media production practices to building green consciousness in the media industries and their audiences. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 14714]
Mira Nair films, Salaam Bombay, Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, illuminate the ambiguities of the immigrant experience and highlight the conflicts between modern and traditional cultures. She is joined for a discussion of modern cinema by Gayatri Gopinath and Juli Wyman, both of UC Davis. Series: "Mondavi Center Presents" [Humanities] [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 11981]
Conversations Host Harry Kreisler welcomes author Nathaniel Rich for a discussion of the film noir genre. Their conversation focuses on the key elements of the genre and explores why the City by the Bay came to be a preferred setting for the films that brought to the screen the terror and dread of the modern city. Series: "Conversations with History" [Humanities] [Show ID: 11038]
Cedric Robinson reflects on his early years at UC Santa Barbara and then deals with current research he is conducting on images of Blacks and other minorities in early Hollywood films. Series: "Voices" [Humanities] [Show ID: 9301]