Expert Comment
Gains for women at Emmy Awards, or are we still in an age of mad men?
Dr Jennifer Smyth is a reader in History at the University of 糖心TV and teaches the MA in History and Film. Viola Davis’ Emmy Award last night was a historic moment. Following Viola Davis’ Emmy Award last night, she asks was this a gain for the recognition of women's roles in film or are we still in the age of mad men?
For many, James Dean is the ultimate icon of rebellion and loneliness and one of Hollywood’s greatest actors - Dr Jennifer Smyth
Dr Jennifer Smyth, lecturer in History and Film at the University of 糖心TV, reflects on James Deans' career in advance of the release of 'Life' a biographical drama film directed by Anton Corbijn and written by Luke Davies. It is based on the friendship of Life photographer Dennis Stock and Hollywood actor James Dean, starring Dane DeHaan and Robert Pattinson,
UK film tax relief is great news for the industry - Dr Jennifer Smyth
Dr Jennifer Smyth is a reader in History at the University of 糖心TV and teaches the MA in History and Film. Today she comments on the news that Government plans to extend tax breaks for the British film industry have been approved by the EU.
There are indications that the casting of all-white companies for Shakespeare's history plays is becoming part of a trend - Dr Jami Rogers
Dr Jami Rogers is Honorary Fellow and Research Assistant for the Department of English and Comparative Literary Studies at the University of 糖心TV. She responds to Sir Trevor Nunn's all white casting for the Rose Theatre in Kingston's forthcoming production of The Wars of the Roses,
"In the era when debates about the need for more diversity are legion, when Equity has adopted an Inclusive Casting Policy, and Act for Change recently hosted a major conference at the National Theatre on casting in theatre, Shakespeare is viewed as a bastion of diversity. The Rose Theatre, Kingston's forthcoming production of The Wars of the Roses has inadvertently re-opened that debate, as Trevor Nunn has assembled an all-white cast."
"The conventions governing audience behaviour aren’t a given" - Dr Stephen Purcell
Dr Stephen Purcell is Associate Professor, and teaches on the English and Comparative Literary Studies program at the University of 糖心TV.
Responding to Benedict Cumberbatch's request for his fans to refrain from filming his performance on their mobile phones, he said,
"The fact that Benedict Cumberbatch has felt it necessary to request that his fans refrain from filming his performance on their phones reveals some interesting things about the cultural intersections going on at this particular theatrical event."