UC Santa Barbara (Audio)

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]

Dr. Songi Han, professor in the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, talks about her research into the function of proteins in the body and how changes like protein Tau tangles can lead to neurological diseases like Alzheimer's. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Health and Medicine] [Science] [Show ID: 37869]

Dr. B.S. Manjunath, distinguished professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at UC Santa Barbara, discusses the use of computer video technology to assist with visual analysis of issues like human stress and disease, methane gas release, and underwater mapping. He also discusses what we know about human vision, how it works compared to how computer vision works. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 37871]

Dr. Susan Cassels, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at UC Santa Barbara, and a research associate with the Broom Center for Demography discusses the latest thinking on HIV interventions. Her research focuses on the study of topics related to health geography, demography, and infectious disease epidemiology. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37873]

Dr. Javier Birchenall, associate professor of Economics at UC Santa Barbara, discussed the impact of disease for long-run economic development, the interaction between population and the economy, and the labor market. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37870]

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]

Dr. Simon Todd, assistant professor in the Department of Linguistics at UC Santa Barbara, talks about what you can learn simply by listening. His research focuses on the incredible power of passive listening for developing and accessing knowledge about language varieties and the people that speak them. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37872]

Dr. Todd Oakley, evolutionary biologist and professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology at UC Santa Barbara, discusses his research on the evolutionary origins of complex features, like eyes, bioluminescence, and nervous systems. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 37868]

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 Wendy Eley Jackson speaks with Gareth Crocker about his film-making process for the South African television show, Shadow. Crocker discusses various elements of the series, including his decision to shoot in his hometown of Johannesburg to lend authenticity to location, the process of collaborative writing with his friend and co-creator, seeking feedback from diverse voices to craft genuine characters, and acknowledging the room for growth. He also spoke on internet bandwidth issues in some parts of the country and the accessibility of Netflix. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37611]

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]

Moderator James McNamara speaks with writer Ben Power about his adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard III for the BBC series, The Hollow Crown. Power discusses various elements of the series, commenting on the casting choices, which included actors of color and the political context of the series, which was developed during a visible rise of authoritarian figures in the United Kingdom. He also speaks on the challenges of adapting from Shakespeare and offers his perspective on what allowed the series to be engaging for audiences while still remaining true to Shakespeare’s vision. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37610]

Ilan Stavans of Amherst College, discusses The Seventh Heaven: Travels through Jewish Latin America (2020). In this travelogue, Stavans talks to families of the desaparecidos in Buenos Aires, to “Indian Jews,” and to people affiliated with neo-Nazi groups in Patagonia. He also visits Spain to understand the long-term effects of the Inquisition, the American Southwest habitat of “secret Jews,” and Israel, where immigrants from Latin America have reshaped the Jewish state. Series: "Taubman Symposia in Jewish Studies" [Humanities] [Show ID: 37322]

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]