2017 CMCS Los Angeles, USA

Key Media Speakers:

There have been significant debates on gaps between filmmakers and film scholars. Film scholars have been critical of dominant representations that tend to overlook classist, sexist, speciesist and ethnocentric trends in the production of films and star-studded images in Hollywood. Yet, scholarly views in academic writing are not adequately addressed in film production and in journalism. Scholars can address the issues through journalism and moving image practices in which filmmakers are trained. CMCS sponsored Celebrity Chat is an example of this trend. Can a new form of film ‘critic’ be situated in journalistic and scholarly discussions and screenings? Can the critiques become a new form of ‘activism’ that is different yet supports ideals of celebrity activism in Hollywood and beyond?

The Centre for Media and Celebrity Studies (CMCS) Bridging Gaps conference, in association with sponsors Centre for Ecological, Social, and Informatics Cognitive Research (ESI.CORE) and WaterHill Publishing, invites papers and audiovisual material that explore the relationship among four key themes related to Hollywood – theory, production, criticism, and activism. We invite academics, filmmakers, journalists, publicists, activists, and guests to present and connect cutting-edge research areas from a range of interdisciplinary fields and address social justice issues in moving image practices.

We also invite people to send in videos for the Celebrity Chat Award. The best video/documentary will be selected based on its ability to draw attention to a significant matter, be relevant to the conference theme and inspire change. Extended versions of selected papers will be invited for publication.

Registration includes: Your printed package for the complete conference, professional development workshops, coffee / tea breaks, access to evening receptions, complimentary evening drinks, and consideration for publication and the CMCS $100 best paper and $100 screen awards.

Submission guidelines:

• • 250-word abstract or workshop / roundtable proposal
  • Include a title, your name, e-mail address, and affiliation if applicable
  • Submit to conference Chair Dr Samita Nandy at email address: celeb.studies2017@gmail.com
  • Extended deadline for abstract submission: November 4, 2016
  • Notification of acceptance: December 2, 2016
  • Early bird registration deadline: January 1, 2017
  • Full text due: February, 17, 2017
  • Conference reception and presentations: March 17-19, 2017

Celebrity Chat Video Submissions:

• Video length should be 10-20 minutes
• Include a title, your name, e-mail address, and affiliation if applicable
• Submit to Celebrity Chat producer Dr Jackie Raphael at email address: celeb.studies2017@gmail.com
• Extended deadline for submission: November 4, 2016
• Notification of acceptance: December 2, 2016
  
• Early bird registration deadline: January 1, 2017
• Conference reception and screenings: March 18-19, 2017

Topics include but are not limited to:

• Hollywood and non-Hollywood films
• Mass media and social media
• Journalism and interviews
• Public relations, persona and branding
• Endorsements
• Social advocacy
• Celebrity activism
• Activists as celebrities
• Human rights and animal rights
• Environment and climate change
• Entertainment industry
• Film, video, and television
• Cinematic adaptations of novels
• Photography
• Glamour and beauty
• Audiences and fandom
• Laws and Policies
• Theory and Methods
• Research Agenda
• Business Models
• Ethics and Morality
• Cognition and Memory
• Media Literacy
• Social Innovation and Change
• Education and Advocacy
• Community Building
• Business and Community Partnerships